The Centro Oftalmológico Virgilio Galvis in Santander, Colombia, has become the first institution in the region to offer PresbyMAX, a laser-based surgical technique designed to correct presbyopia and reduce reliance on reading glasses, according to a statement released February 23, 2026.
Presbyopia, a natural age-related change in vision, typically affects individuals over the age of 40, causing difficulty focusing on nearby objects. Currently, many patients manage this condition with progressive lenses or, in some cases, intraocular lens implants. PresbyMAX offers an alternative by utilizing excimer laser technology to modify the cornea, creating a multifocal surface that corrects vision at near, intermediate, and far distances, as described by Blue Fin Vision, a Harley Street, London-based ophthalmology clinic.
Unlike standard LASIK procedures which focus on a single focal point, PresbyMAX creates a multifocal ablation profile on the cornea, according to Planet LASIK. The procedure is designed to function similarly to designing progressive lenses directly onto the cornea using laser technology. Visualaser Cali, a Colombian clinic, describes PresbyMAX as a solution for patients with a combination of presbyopia and other refractive errors like myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism, but emphasizes it is only suitable for those who have not previously undergone refractive surgery.
The SCHWIND CAM PresbyMAX module, utilized in the procedure, has demonstrated successful clinical outcomes in numerous published studies, according to Oftaltech. Blue Fin Vision notes that the cost of traditional vision correction methods, such as glasses and contact lenses, can accumulate to thousands of pounds over a lifetime, with glasses potentially costing between £300 and £600 per pair every two to three years, and contact lenses and related solutions ranging from £300 to £500 annually.
PresbyMAX is a binocular treatment, meaning it is performed on both eyes simultaneously, and requires patients to meet specific parameters to ensure surgical comfort and effectiveness. The technique aims to compensate for refractive defects in both eyes for both distance and near vision, preserving depth of focus and enabling rapid recovery with high-quality vision at all distances, Visualaser Cali reports.