New Surgery Helps Patients Ditch Reading Glasses

Tired of forgetting your reading glasses every time you go out? Now there's a new option to combat the blurry close-up vision that comes with age – corneal inlays that are implanted into the eye's outermost layer, according to the AP.

Presbyopia, the gradual inability to focus on fine print, usually hits adults in their mid-40s. Corrective eyewear, including reading glasses, bifocals and multifocal contact lenses, have traditionally been the most common solutions. Now there's Raindrop, a recently FDA-approved inlay, which appears to be a promising fix for many people.

Eye surgeon Dr. Mark Whitten told the AP, "We'll know more I guess years and years from now, but I haven't seen a product like this before, that actually works this quickly, this good." The surgery itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and recovery can take anywhere from several days to weeks.

The added appeal of the procedure is that the inlay can be removed if a patient experiences complications. However, the current FDA approval is only for patients who have never had eye procedures like Lasik.

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Photo Andrew Harnik/Associated Press