Monovision Problems, Adjusting to Monovision, Reading Problems, Eye Care

Lasik Eye Care and Vision Correction Center

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Reading Problems

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Virtually everyone over 40 years are affected with age-related farsightedness (presbyopia), and need to use glasses for reading. Monovision is an alternative for those who are affected by myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, simultaneously with presbyopia. It is used to describe a treatment arrangement where one eye is used for distance vision, and the other one for near vision. It is a visual concept that works well for most presbyopic patients, but not necessarily everyone. So before a decision is made about proceeding with monovision, you may be asked to undergo a monovision trial with soft contact lenses. The aim of this trial is to simulate what your vision would be like after laser vision correction. The trial should give you a good indication whether is a treatment arrangement will suit your needs or not.This is achieved by completely correcting the dominant eye so that it is focused on distance objects, while leaving a small amount of nearsightedness in the non-dominant eye,in order to allow for near

vision as well. In this way, the dominant eye is better focused in the distance, and the non-dominant eye is better focused for near, and when both eyes are used together, both reading and distance vision should be comfortably usable. This will enable the patient to see reasonably well for both distance and up close, without the need for spectacles for routine activities, such as reading price tags, menus, and cell phones.

ADJUSTING TO MONOVISION

During the early few weeks, your vision may not have adjusted to the new changes and you may not appreciate the full effect of monovision. Both eyes should be used together, for monovision to adjust fully. You should not cover one eye at a time. You may experience blurry distance vision, and the eyes may fatigue very easily with reading. Some patients may complain of double vision, dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision, but this discomfort is normal in the early stages. It is not an indication that you have made the wrong decision. You may be prescribed spectacles during this time to help the vision until the eyes adjust fully. Often, this adaptation period can take 1 to 3 weeks, and usually symptoms will decrease to nothing over 3 months.

SOME FACTS ABOUT MONOVISION

Getting monovision is advantageous in many aspects given the conveniences in everyday activities, but it also has drawbacks. Monovision is a compromise and there may be times when additional glasses will be of benefit.

The distance vision may not be perfect, especially at night or in dim light, as one eye is better focused for near. Monovision typically works well for near activities for short periods. Reading for long periods may tire the eyes more easily.

Monovision can affect depth perception slightly, so it is not recommended for pilots, taxi drivers, or anyone who has a license to drive heavy vehicles.

MONOVISION CAN STILL REQUIRE THE USE OF SPECTACLES ON OCCASION

While driving at night, you may need driving glasses to correct the mild myopia in the non-dominant eye. Typically, patients do not need driving glasses for daytime. In instances when patients need to read or do craft work for long periods of time, reading glasses may help to prevent tiring. Using these glasses on occasion to help in some activities will not affect the eyes or alter the result of the vision correction.