2.1 Billion People Are Predicted To Suffer From Old Eye Diseases By 2030

Illustration of old eyes. (Pexels / meter Milton)

JAKARTA - Presbiopia or old eyes are a decrease in the ability of eye lens accommodation that usually occurs over the age of 40, which causes difficulty seeing close objects. This is an eye condition that can potentially hinder activity and reduce quality of life.

The prevalence of presbiopia at the age of 45 years and over reached 83 percent. Through research published at the National Library of Medicine, it is estimated that around 2.1 billion people in the world will suffer from presbiopia in 2030.

Subspecial Doctor of Cataract, Lens and Refractive Surgery JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics as well as Head of Mata JEC Bekasi Main Clinic, Dr. Nashrul Ihsan, Sp.M(K), said that presbiopia prevalence is increasing along with modern lifestyles that are close to using cell phones every day.

"Prevalence for presbiopia globally continues to increase as life expectancy and intensity demand for close vision in the modern era, such as the use of cell phones," said Doctor Nashrul during the Glasses-Free JEC event at Golden Age, in Kedoya, West Jakarta, on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Presbiopia that is not overcome will result in a decline in quality of life, because it has resulted in penditeda twice as hard as carrying out tasks that require close vision. Patients are also threatened with losing their daily productivity due to presbiopia disorders.

The use of glasses to overcome prebiopia is also not the main solution, because it can be annoying to live an active lifestyle. Therefore, the Reflective Lens Exchange (RLE) procedure as available at JEC Eye Hospitals and Clinics can be a solution to overcome presbiopia.

"The presbiopian impact involves psychological components because the person considers the option of bifocal glasses to be very attractive and seems to mark aging. Meanwhile, the average patient is still living an active lifestyle, so the use of glasses hinders performance and activities," he explained.

"RLE is an ideal procedure for those who are uncomfortable wearing glasses and want a long-term solution," he added.

RLE is an eye natural lens replacement procedure that is no longer optimally functioning with a planting lens (intraocular lans/IOL). The RLE procedure is not only effective for correcting presbiopia, but also other refractional disorders, such as minus (miopia) eyes, plus (hypermetropy) eyes, and cylinders (astigmatism), all of which can be done in one action.

Another advantage of RLE is the success of the action, the ratio reaching 98.5 percent. The risk of 1.5 percent of operating complications can usually be overcome by carrying out further operations.

RLE is highly recommended for patients who experience changes in vision due to the aging process. Not only that, RLE is also the only choice in special cases that are no longer handled by LASIK or SMILE Pro. For example, extreme myopia sufferers with conditions minus 20," concluded Doctor Nashrul.