THOSE with presbyopia might now find a new and permanent solution to their condition - if they want to participate in a global clinical trial that is being conducted in Singapore.

Presbyopia usually affects those 40 years old and above, and is commonly referred to in Mandarin as 'lau hua yan' as the eye loses the ability to focus on near objects with age. The crystalline lens in the eye loses elasticity over time, making focusing difficult.

The Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) now offers what appears to be the only effective treatment so far for the condition - the AcuFocus Corneal Inlay (ACI). Results so far have shown it to be effective with high patient satisfaction, says Chan Wing Kwong, senior consultant and head of Refractive Surgery at SNEC.

The current solution is Lasik, which does not provide satisfactory results and frequently causes distortions in vision.

Dr Chan describes ACI as 'revolutionary and ground-breaking'.

The technique uses a simple optical phenomenon - the 'pin-hole effect'. A doughnut-shaped disc is implanted under the cornea of the eye to create a smaller aperture for light to enter the eye, thereby increasing the depth of field of vision.

The procedure does not involve tissue removal and takes a total of five minutes. Improvement in vision is immediate.

In fact, Dr Chan notes that visual quality continues improving over time, as the patient adjusts to the implant. Also, it need only be done in the dominant eye as the other one will adapt.

Twenty-four patients who have had the implant for three months already can now read words 1mm high, better than what they saw with reading glasses.

Some side-effects include dimmer vision and slightly narrower visual field. Slight deterioration of far vision also occurs. But it is difficult for the patient to observe these changes, Dr Chan said.

The treatment is expected to be commercially available in Singapore by 2009.

It is estimated to cost between S$1,300 and S$1,900 per eye, comparable to the cost of Lasik, although patients can't use Medisave to pay for it as yet.

SNEC is the only trial centre for the ACI in Asia. It has 35 patients so far and is looking to enrol more.

Those interested in joining the trial can call 6322 4500 or 6322 4501.

This story was first published in The Business Times on Mar 15, 2008.