What does Eye Accommodation Mean?

Patients often hear the term ‘accommodation’ used when Optometrists discuss the ability of the eye to see properly.

 

Accommodation is the process whereby the eye is able to change the point of focus from a distant object to a near object.

 

It’s an optical change in the eye and happens when the muscles inside the eye contract, allowing the optical power of the crystalline lens to be increased so that near objects can be brought into focus on the retina.

 

The young eye can do it without any trouble, and with objects very close to the eye. The older we get; the less power we have to ‘accommodate’.

To Infinity and Beyond!

When a healthy eye (not suffering from any refractive errors, i.e. not nearsighted or longsighted) is relaxed, it is focused at optical infinity.

 

This sounds quite profound; and means that when a normal eye is relaxed, distant objects are in focus. Optical infinity extends from about 20 feet on front of your eyes to the distant horizon ‘infinity’).

 

A short sighted or myopic eye, on the other hand, is focused at a point nearer than optical infinity when it is relaxed. This means that it needs to be corrected with a pair of glasses or contact lenses to again be focused at optical infinity.

Accommodation and Presbyopia

In all normally sighted individuals, the ability to focus near objects is gradually lost with increasing age. The process starts from birth and just gets worse, although most people don’t really notice it until they get to about 45.

 

The ‘accommodate amplitude’ or ability to focus on near objects is almost completely lost between 45-50, and once it’s sufficiently reduced for people to have a major problem with reading or seeing print close to the eye, it’s recognised as an issue. Most people get reading glasses-reluctantly.

Solve your Sight Problems

You don’t have to be slave to corrective eyewear, or pull out those reading glasses and let the world know you’re of a certain age. Optilase have two methods that can address the issue of presbyopia.

 

Just call +353 1 223 8821 to find out more about KAMRA and Presbia, the Optilase solutions to presbyopia.

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Patient Reviews

Gerard Mcphillips
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Gerard Mcphillips
July 24, 2026

Very professional and appointments on time

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July 24, 2026

Great team, great experience. Anyone thinking about doing it, do it. Always on the end of the phone if there was any issues. Highly recommend!

jason farrell
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jason farrell
July 23, 2026

The entire process was smooth professional and completely stress free, I couldn't be happier with my outcome

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Tara Dowds
July 22, 2026

Excellent experience in the Cork clinic. Dan O'brien explained everything so throughly. I really appreciated the consultation.

Michael Britton
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Michael Britton
July 22, 2026

Absolutely brilliant service from consultation through to surgery and aftercare. The whole team are really friendly and efficient. Would recommend to anyone thinking about getting corrective surgery.

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Majella Murphy
July 22, 2026

Excellent service and care. Laser eye surgery went well and have had no issues. Highly recommend Sinead and the team in Optilase Cork

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Saidhbhe OShea
July 21, 2026

Highly recommended the team in the cork clinic. Very professional and friendly throughout the whole process.

wiktoria szmerdt
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wiktoria szmerdt
July 21, 2026

Lovely staff, very knowledgeable, made me feel calm and comfortable during my consultation

Emma Mc Donald
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Emma Mc Donald
July 18, 2026

I wore glasses since 6th class. At fifteen I begged my mother to get me contact lenses ,she told me to go get a job !! I wore contact lenses for 20 years. It was very expensive. I promised myself one day I would get laser eye surgery . For my 30th birthday I treated myself 🥰 Without doubt it was the best money I ever spent. It was life changing for me . Do it! You will not regret it! Being able to see first thing in the morning without looking for your glasses is priceless . The team were fantastic and the follow up care was great . Thanks again Optilase cork .

Michelle Buckley
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Michelle Buckley
July 8, 2026

My experience in Optilase Cork has been nothing short of fantastic. I am an extremely nervous patient be it doctors,hospitals or dentists I dread them! From the starting consultations to the day of the surgery I was treated as an individual case. I felt valued and respected by each member of staff I encountered. I have been wanting to get this surgery done for years I just wish I had done it sooner. On the day of the surgery, the receptionists, the nurses and the surgeon himself were extremely uplifting and helped to put my mind at ease. The surgery itself was super quick! It is not at all painful with minimal discomfort. The staff throughly explain the aftercare and all drops are provided as part of the package which means there’s no trip to the pharmacy post surgery. There are 4 check ups post surgery (1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 month) so you are not left wondering how the recovery is coming along! Overall I can’t recommend the surgery enough it has allowed me to go about my day to day routine with ease!

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Mariana Ugarte
July 8, 2026

Love this place, they treated de so well.

Julie Kelleher
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Julie Kelleher
June 17, 2026

Life changing experience with optilase. Its been 6 months since my surgery and have no problems since day 1. The Cork clinic were outstanding from my very first consultation up until now. I have recently been discharged and have now 20/13 vision which i have been told is better than 20/20 vision which is absolutely insane as before I was -6 in each eye. Don't hesitate make that call to get the consultation. You won't look back 😀

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