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You’re holding your phone at arm’s length. Menus are getting harder to read in dim light. And suddenly, those $10 reading glasses from the chemist are your new best friend. You might be wondering: “Am I becoming long-sighted?”

The short answer? Not exactly.

What you’re experiencing is most likely presbyopia—a completely normal part of ageing that affects nearly everyone, regardless of whether you've had perfect vision your whole life or worn glasses for years.

Long-sightedness vs. presbyopia: What’s the difference?

It’s easy to confuse presbyopia with hypermetropia (long-sightedness). After all, both make it harder to see things up close. But here’s the distinction:

• Hypermetropia (long-sightedness) is typically caused by the shape of your eye. Your eyeball is slightly too short, or your cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina. This is something people are usually born with.
• Presbyopia, on the other hand, happens with age, usually starting in your 40s. Over time, the lens inside your eye becomes less flexible. It can no longer adjust easily to focus on close objects, making reading or phone use more difficult.

So, if you’ve never needed glasses before and are now struggling to see up close, presbyopia is the likely culprit.

What can you do about it?

Reading glasses (the kind you buy at the pharmacy) are the most common fix and, for some people, they’re enough. But if you hate how they look or feel, find them inconvenient or frustrating, find yourself constantly swapping glasses to read or drive, juggling multifocals, or just hate the way your vision has changed, you’re not alone.

That’s where Medownick Laser Clinic's uniquely-developed PresbySmart comes in.

Introducing PresbySmart: tailored laser vision correction for presbyopia

PresbySmart is a next-generation laser treatment developed specifically for people who are experiencing presbyopia. Unlike standard laser treatments that aim to correct only one distance, PresbySmart helps restore a more natural range of vision, reducing your dependence on glasses by tailoring the treatment to your eyes and your lifestyle.

It’s not about perfection or promising “forever,” but it can be a remarkable way to turn back the clock, giving you greater visual freedom for reading, driving, and everyday life.

Medownick is the only clinic in Victoria offering this treatment, thanks to our exclusive access to the combination of the two state-of-the-art Schwind ATOS and Amaris laser systems. That means PresbySmart isn’t just smart by name, it’s supported by some of the most advanced technology available.

Still not sure? We’ll help you decide

Every eye is different, and so is every solution. If you’re wondering whether you’re long-sighted, presbyopic, or both, the best next step is a free laser vision assessment with our expert team. We’ll take the time to understand your eyes and your goals, and help you decide if PresbySmart is right for you.