I'm trying to decide whether to have monovision
LASIK by wearing monovision glasses (not a
successful long term contactlens wearer). I'm
54y.o., left eye dominant and have been wearing
lens with this correction for 5 days :
-6.00 +0.75 155 and -5.00 +0.75 045. I don't
notice the discrepancy in my vision when I'm doing
middle range activities, but it is pronounced with
extended reading, computer work, or prolonged
driving and at the end of the day my eyes are
tired and I have a headache. My question: with
time (and if so how much) will the different
refractions blend like progressive lenses so that
I have a smooth transition from reading to
distance? I'm not sure what to expect long term
because my opthamologist actively discourages
monovision although he himself has it. His only
reason is that most of his pts are happier with
both eyes corrected for distance and using reading
glasses. So many of my generation are constantly
putting reading glasses on & off & losing them
that I would prefer monovision, and Iam motivated
to put up with eyestrain & H/A longer if this will
resolve.

I was corrected for monovision, and while I can read anything close, I do not have good vision mid range (using the computer etc.) I have not found that the different refractions blend. I can correct the mid range problem with contact lens however, my very close vision is then lost. For me it is great to see my face without glasses which I could not do before.

I had exactly the same experience, while I could see close, within a foot, my vision was fuzzy from there out until the right eye took over. Watching TV, movies, etc are fine but cannot read writing on a table when standing. This condition is not particularly comfortable. Tried contact for each of both eyes, individually, reducing my right eye distance vision and then increasing left eye short range with the new bifocal lenses..neither are a bargain though it is much more comfortable as long as I don't have to read. I do believe that there is a contact lens prescription that will do the trick as I am quite close now.

I chose full distance correction, but I'm "only" 40 and presbyopia hasn't really reared it's head much for me. One thing to think of with monovision lasik, you will probably still need to have some kind of glasses to drive at night. Your undercorrected eye will probably "see" more halos and starbursts than the eye corrected for distance. How's your vision at night now the monovision glasses? Just something to think about.

CindyZ

If you are motivated, and if you tried monovision
with the contact lenses and you like the result,
you should be able to achieve the same result post
LASIK. Different patients have different visual
requirements. I always advise my patients to try
monovision prior to LASIK with contact lenses.
Again, if you like the result, go for it.
Monovision can always be corrected in the future.

Nader G. Iskander, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Specialist in Refractive Surgery
Kresge Eye Institute / Wayne State University
4717 At Antoine
Detroit, MI 48201
Office:
Fax:

I am 50 and I chose mono-vision. My distance eye is now 20/15 and my near vision eye 20/60 and I do great reading close up and mid-range. My distance vision prior to correction was -7.5 and -8. Mono-vision is not for everybody, but I love it. Now more glasses or contacts.

Can someone please tell me what ones
vision is like when you do not tolerate
monovision? I had conductive keratoplasty
for presbyopia 8 months ago (May 2004) and I
still have blurry close vision (I can't read
without reading glasses) and distorted far
vision. My doctors at Maumee Eye Clinic in
Maumee, Ohio Dr Perozek and Dr Weidaw tell
me my brain is not accepting monovision and
refunded my $1500. Their office does not trial
with a contact lens---too bad for me. paula