What are the costs of treating presbyopia? A comparison of treatment options
Refractive errors and visual impairments not only affect people’s everyday lives, but also their wallets. In many cases, the costs of treatment are not covered, or only partially covered, by statutory health insurance – especially when the treatment is not medically necessary.
The cost of treating presbyopia, in addition to the condition itself, is an added burden for patients. However, these costs are not fixed; they depend, among other things, on the chosen treatment approach. In this article, you will learn what treatment costs to expect for presbyopia.
Cost of a vision aid for presbyopia
The most common and often the simplest initial solution for declining eyesight with age is to turn to traditional visual aids such as reading glasses or contact lenses. They help restore clear near vision, but only for as long as you wear them.
The treatment costs vary widely depending on the type of vision aid chosen, individual preferences, and additional eyewear enhancements such as blue-light filters or anti-reflective coatings.
How much do reading glasses cost?
Reading glasses are the classic solution for presbyopia. They help you see nearby objects clearly again, for example when reading books or checking price tags. However, to see into the distance you must take them off again, so they are not helpful when walking or driving. If you were nearsighted before developing presbyopia, that still needs to be corrected. In practice, this means you have to change glasses when switching from near to distance vision.
A clear distinction must be made between reading glasses and reading aids, such as those found in drugstores or petrol stations. Although these reading aids are temptingly inexpensive, they are generally not intended for long-term use because they are not correctly tailored to the wearer’s refractive error.
Expect to pay between €50 and €500 for high-quality reading glasses from an optician. As mentioned above, prices depend on the type of lenses, the frame material, and any desired extras, such as a blue-light filter.
Cost of progressive glasses
The cost of progressive glasses is usually significantly higher than that of simple reading glasses, often between 300 and 1,500 euros, depending on the manufacturer, lens quality, and the frame. However, in the long term it is a practical solution for everyday life.
A pair of progressive spectacles not only provides sharp near vision but also enables clear distance vision. This makes them a popular choice, especially when presbyopia occurs alongside farsightedness or nearsightedness.
Contact lens expenses
Contact lenses for presbyopia offer a more flexible and less visible alternative to glasses. Multifocal lenses, in particular, are designed to provide clear vision at both near and far distances.
The costs vary from lens to lens – but you can expect to spend around 30 to 50 euros per month. In addition, there are costs for cleaning solutions and regular adjustments at the optician’s.
Treatment costs for laser eye surgery for people over 50
The cost of laser eye surgery for people over 50 depends on various factors – the procedure or method chosen, your degree of presbyopia, the surgeon or eye centre, and the location. Many people who do not want to rely on visual aids permanently opt for laser treatment for presbyopia.
It is similarly difficult to provide an overview here. Instead, we provide an example below showing how pricing is structured at our laser eye centers in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.
At Bányai Neue Augen, we have specialized in Laser eye surgery and surgical procedures for presbyopia for over 25 years.
– Bányai Neue Augen
Costs of laser treatment for presbyopia – PRESBYOND®, monovision, and lens exchange compared
At Bányai Neue Augen, we rely on state-of-the-art procedures and high-quality equipment from renowned manufacturers such as Zeiss to deliver the best possible outcome. Because laser eye treatment is intended to provide long-term improved vision, it’s essential that the result is convincing.
Nevertheless, we want to offer affordable treatments, so we also provide financing in 24 interest-free monthly installments. The total cost of presbyopia treatment is as follows:
- PRESBYOND® Blended Vision: This treatment method, which uses a femtosecond laser, costs from €3,150 per eye at Bányai Neue Augen. PRESBYOND® provides a comprehensive correction that optimizes one eye for near vision and the other for distance vision. Both eyes are equally corrected for intermediate distances.
- Monovision: The Monovision method is also offered by Bányai Neue Augen. It is similar to PRESBYOND®, but without the extended “blend zone”. The costs start at €2,900 per eye.
- Refractive lens replacement (RLE): This method replaces the natural lens with an artificial one and is particularly suitable for people with a coexisting cataract or a high degree of refractive error. Costs start at around €3,000 per eye, depending on the type of lens used and the complexity of the procedure.
| Laser eye procedure | Short description | Cost per eye | Monthly instalments |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRK & LASEK | Corneal surface treatments for certain refractive errors. | from €990 | from €58 |
| PRESBYOND® | Specialized LASIK method to improve near and distance vision in presbyopia. | from €3,150 | from €111 |
| Refractive lens exchange (RLE) | Replacing the natural lens with an artificial one to correct refractive errors. | from €3,000 | Individual |
| SMILE Monovision | Precisely adjusts one eye for distance and the other for near vision | from €2,900 | Individual |
So that we can jointly determine the ideal procedure for you, comprehensive eye examinations are carried out in advance and are already included in the treatment costs.
Also included is a personal consultation, during which all your questions, concerns and wishes can be discussed, as well as a comprehensive follow-up examination.
Free online suitability test
In our free online eligibility test, you can find out in a few minutes whether you are a candidate for a laser treatment for presbyopia. Start the test now:
General costs for presbyopia at a glance
Here is a summary of the different treatment options for age-related vision decline, including estimated costs.
| Treatment method | Description | Estimated Costs |
| Reading glasses | Classic visual aid for near vision. Options range from budget to high-end. | 50–500 euros |
| Progressive eyeglasses | Enables both near and distance vision, ideal for multiple visual defects | 300 – 1,500 euros |
| Contact Lenses | Flexible visual aid, often multifocal, for near and distance vision. Ongoing costs for cleaning and care products. | €30–€50 per month |
| PRESBYOND® Blended Vision | Laser eye treatment that enables vision at multiple distances | approx. €3,150 per eye |
| Monovision | A method in which one eye is corrected for near vision and the other for distance vision | Approximately €2,900 per eye |
| Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) | Replacement of the natural lens with a multifocal intraocular lens | from €3,000 per eye |
This table provides a quick overview of potential costs and helps you decide which option is best for age-related vision decline.
Laser treatment for presbyopia – The treatment methods in detail
Laser eye treatment offers various methods for correcting refractive errors, including presbyopia. A comprehensive preoperative assessment is necessary to determine the most suitable laser technique for each individual.
Accordingly, the cost of laser eye treatment depends, among other things, on the method and technology the surgeon uses.
Below we present the main laser treatments for presbyopia — along with the costs you can expect for each refractive surgery method at Bányai Neue Augen.
Monovision
Monovision involves several techniques to correct presbyopia, in which one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision. This method can be implemented with contact lenses or through laser eye surgery.
Monovision is particularly suitable for patients who have both nearsightedness and farsightedness. Costs vary depending on the specific treatment method and start at around €2,200 per eye.
Options for the monovision procedure include Femto-LASIK, SMILE® Pro, PRK, and refractive lens exchange.
PRESBYOND® – procedures and laser eye surgery costs
PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision is an innovative method for correcting presbyopia. This technique combines proven LASIK technology with a specialized adjustment of refractive power to improve both near and distance vision.
The procedure uses an excimer laser to precisely reshape the cornea. The surgeon corrects the dominant eye for distance vision, while the non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision. Using a specialized wave profile, both eyes are adjusted for intermediate distances. This improves depth of field and enables the brain to optimally process the differing visual inputs.
The cost of a PRESBYOND® treatment at Bányai Neue Augen is approximately €3,150 per eye.
Femto-LASIK
Femto LASIK is an advanced laser eye procedure that uses a femtosecond laser to precisely correct refractive errors. It is suitable for treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia to restore clear vision.
The procedure is performed in two steps: first, a flap is created in the cornea and lifted to expose the underlying tissue, which is then treated with the excimer laser to improve vision.
The cost of a Femto-LASIK at Bányai Neue Augen starts at €2,200 per eye.
Refractive Lens Exchange
Refractive lens exchange is a surgical procedure in which the eye’s natural lenses are replaced with artificial intraocular lenses or implantable contact lenses (ICL). Either monofocal or multifocal lenses can be chosen — that is, lenses for sharp distance vision or lenses that provide clear vision at multiple distances.
This laser eye surgery is particularly suitable for patients with severe refractive errors or cataracts. At Bányai Neue Augen, lens replacement typically starts at €3,000 per eye, depending on the type of artificial lens used and the complexity of the procedure.
FAQs about the costs of presbyopia
Wie lange hält Augenlasern bei Alterssichtigkeit?
The results of laser eye surgery for presbyopia can last for many years, often a decade or even a lifetime. However, the stability of the outcome depends on individual factors such as the condition of the cornea and the progression of the eye’s natural aging. Regular follow-up examinations with an ophthalmologist help monitor the results and, if necessary, allow further measures to be taken.
Was kostet Augenlasern bei Alterssichtigkeit?
The cost of laser eye surgery for presbyopia varies depending on the method and service provider. At Bányai Neue Augen, prices for various procedures range from €990 to €4,000 per eye. For example, the PRESBYOND® treatment costs approximately €3,150 per eye, while the PRK method starts at around €990 per eye.
Kann man Alterssichtigkeit lasern lassen?
Yes, presbyopia can be corrected with laser surgery. Various methods such as PRESBYOND®, SMILE® PRO, and Femto-LASIK offer effective solutions for correcting presbyopia. Each method has its own advantages and is selected based on the patient’s individual needs and eye health.
Welche Krankenkasse übernimmt Augenlasern?
In Germany, statutory health insurers generally do not cover the cost of laser eye surgery, as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, some private health insurers offer partial reimbursement for laser eye treatments. It is advisable to check directly with your own insurer about possible subsidies or reimbursements.
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