MONOVISION INFORMATION
Around the age of 40, the natural lens in the eye loses its ability to accomodate. As children the accommodative mechanism is fairly strong but eventually aging will harden the lens and the focusing power of the eye is diminished. An increased difficulty with near visual work may become more noticeable such as reading fine print, sewing, and other hobbies. This vision problem can be corrected with the use of eyeglasses, contacts or surgical implantation of a man made lens.
Cataract surgery involves taking out the cloudy natural lens from inside the eye and replacing it with a plastic lens, called an ‘IOL’. Before surgery, measurements are taken to determine the best IOL power for clearest vision. Surgery can only be completed on one eye at a time and the first surgery is done to make one eye best at distance. When the individual response to the first surgery has been noted, the option for monovision is given and the patient must make a choice. The patient can choose. Other than monovision, the patient can have both eyes set for distance vision but will always need glasses for near vision tasks.
***What is monovision? During cataract surgery, one eye can be ‘set’ (made) for distance vision, and the other ‘set’ (made) for near vision by the power of the artificial lens (IOL) implanted into the eye.
***This means the eye set for distance will not see up close without glasses, and an eye set for near will not see as well for distance without wearing glasses for assistance.
Advantages of monovision: After monovision lens have been surgically implanted, common daily activities may be done without the assistance of glasses. The patient may be able to read some small print, read the clock on the bedside, or see the television across the room, without the help of glasses. You may still want a pair of glasses for good vision in situations where it is required, (i.e. sewing, crossword puzzles, or reading music where other depth perception vision is needed (i.e. driving at night for long distances, or golfing). Usually monovision allows most people to need their glasses only part time.
Disadvantages: Depth perception (3-D) may be difficult or lost, and there may be an adjustment time as the brain adapts to the new vision. Because both eyes are not set the same (by the IOL power), a person may feel unbalanced to begin with. Some people state that vision is slightly fuzzy (two eyes the same allows for less visual disturbance). Some people find it difficult to understand they are not able to see both distance and near out of the same eye without the help of glasses. Adjustment is usually quick but some people may have a longer adjustment time. Glasses will be required for both eyes to be the same or balanced, (bifocals, to assist for both distance and near at the same time), but again, the aim is to make a patient less dependent on glasses. Monovision is not recommended for anyone needing good depth perception for hobbies or employment, or those with severe balance problems.
Guarantees: Each person is different, not only in their vision, but in their likes and dislikes as well. No guarantee is possible, for visual outcome or how well an individual tolerates monovision. When surgery is scheduled for the second eye, the outcome of the first eye (final response to the lens which was calculated and placed in the eye) is always considered.
What do I do if I do not like my new monovision? This happens occasionally. Usually, this means that a patient will choose to wear their glasses on a more fulltime basis (which helps to make vision/eyes equal or balanced). However, they will still be able to use their new monovision for daily living, as they desire. Another option would be to have refractive surgery on the near eye to bring it to a distance, thus matching the other eye, but again, this would mean a reading lens for all close vision. Because this change is not covered by insurance, a discounted fee (only to cover the cost of laser use) is offered.
Whatever choice is made, the Eyesight Associates staff will strive to make the visual outcome the best possible. We want you to be happy!
If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to call.
(478) 923-5872
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