Functional Outcomes and Reading Speeds following PRESBYOND LBV Using Nonlinear Aspheric Ablation Profiles Combined with Micro-Monovision

PURPOSE: To report the functional outcomes and reading speeds following PRESBYOND laser blended vision (LBV) using nonlinear aspheric ablation profiles with micro-monovision with the Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 90 platform. METHODS: Data have been collected retrospectively for all patients who underwent PRESBYOND LBV using the MEL 90 excimer laser. Postoperative binocular uncorrected distance and near visual acuity, stereo-acuity, contrast sensitivity, and reading performance were compared with pre-op values measured with patient's progressive glasses. Mean follow-up was 6 ± 1.2 months. RESULTS: Sixty eyes of 30 patients (mean age 50.47 ± 6.43 years) were included. Of these, 18 patients were hyperopic and 12 patients were myopic with mean SE of 1.28 ± 1.38 D and −2.84 ± 1.86 D, respectively. At 6 months, the mean binocular UDVA was ≥−0.03 ± 0.06 log MAR and the mean binocular UNVA was ≥0.22 ± 0.04 log MAR. The uncorrected reading speeds (words per minute) at the preferred reading distance of 46.17 cm, 60 cm, and 80 cm were significantly better (p value <0.01), whereas the smallest letter size and reading acuities were comparable to the preoperative values (p > 0.05 for all distances). Uncorrected contrast sensitivity log values showed mild reduction; however, this was not statistically significant for any spatial frequency. There was a significant reduction in post uncorrected stereopsis to 89.67 arc sec, compared with pre-op corrected stereopsis (50.67 arc sec); however, it recovered fully with near correction (53.33 arc sec, p > 0.05 compared with pre). CONCLUSION: PRESBYOND LBV resulted in significantly better reading speeds and satisfactory functional visual outcomes, without a permanent change in stereo-acuity and contrast sensitivity 6 months postoperatively.