Final answer:
Persons with presbyopia will likely still need reading glasses after LASIK surgery to correct distant vision, as LASIK does not address the age-related loss of elasticity of the lens. Less desirable candidates for multifocal contact lenses include those with severe dry eye, astigmatism, or previous intolerance to contacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Presbyopic individuals are those who have age-related difficulty focusing on close objects. If a person with presbyopia undergoes LASIK surgery to correct distant vision, they will likely still require reading glasses. This is because LASIK primarily addresses the shaping of the cornea to correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), but presbyopia is due to the loss of elasticity of the lens and the weakening of the muscles around the lens, which LASIK does not correct.
If a patient specifically requests multifocal contact lenses (CLs) as a non-surgical option, they may not always be ideal candidates. Less desirable patients for multifocal CLs might include those with severe dry eye syndrome, patients with astigmatism that makes fitting difficult, or those with a history of intolerance to contact lens wear. It's crucial for individuals to have a detailed examination and discussion with their eyecare professional to determine the best corrective option for their specific vision needs.