Implant means end of reading glasses in sight

Reading glasses could be banished forever now that scientists have developed a technique for reversing vision problems in ageing eyes.

As some people age their ability to switch focus between near and distant objects diminishes, a condition known as presbyopia.

It can skew the perception of depth and makes reading in poor light impossible.

Now scientists have developed a tiny implant, no bigger than a pinhead, that sits inside the cornea and slightly increases its curvature, allowing the eye to focus again.

Lynda Marenghi, 57, was the first person in Britain to undergo the procedure, known as the Raindrop corneal inlay.

"It was driving me mad, holding books further and further away and squinting to try to read them," she said.

"I was diagnosed with presbyopia. It's age related and meant I had to wear glasses more and more, which was awful because I have to deal with a lot of close work.

"I had my Raindrop put in and I haven't needed glasses since."

Millions of people suffer from presbyopia worldwide. The first signs, which most people start to notice between 40 and 50, are the inability to focus on small objects or see in dim light.

Until now the only long-term treatment has been laser surgery but sufferers are still likely to need reading glasses when the light is poor.

The new operation takes only 10 minutes, whereas laser surgery can take an hour.

The inlay is called Raindrop because it is the shape of one and is made of hydrogel, also used in contact lenses. Hydrogel is 80% water, which makes it more compatible with the human eye than other corneal implants.