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Monovision LASIK: A LASIK Procedure for Presbyopia

Monovision LASIK: A LASIK Procedure for Presbyopia

What is Monovision LASIK

Monovision LASIK is a specialized laser vision correction procedure that can help people with presbyopia reduce or potentially eliminate their need for reading glasses for most near activities. What is presbyopia? Presbyopia is a common age-related condition that makes it difficult for your eyes to focus on near objects within your arms reach and closer. It typically begins to develop in people over the age of 40.

How Monovision LASIK Works

Monovision LASIK works by optimizing one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. This is done by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, using a laser. The dominant eye is typically corrected for distance vision, while the non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision.

What Conditions Can Monovision LASIK Treat?

Presbyopia
Myopia (nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Astigmatism

What Procedures Can Correct Monovision?

LASIK: LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery. It is a safe and effective procedure that can correct a wide range of vision problems, including monovision.
PRK: PRK is another type of laser eye surgery. It is similar to LASIK, but it does not involve creating a flap in the cornea. PRK is a good option for people who have thin
corneas or other eye conditions that make them ineligible for LASIK.
IOLs: Implantable lens implants (IOLs) can also be used to correct monovision. IOLs are artificial lenses that are implanted inside the eye. IOLs are a good option for people who have cataracts or other eye conditions that cannot be corrected with laser eye surgery.

Can Monovision LASIK help with Presbyopia?

The short answer is yes. While the actual condition of presbyopia cannot be corrected with LASIK, as presbyopia is a hardening, or loss of flexibility to the lens within the eye and LASIK only corrects the corneal surface of the eye, Monovision LASIK can be used to accommodate for the lack of up-close vision caused by presbyopia. This is done by leaving one eye slightly undercorrected as a small, myopic prescription acts as a natural magnifier and prevents or limits the need for reading glasses for up-close work.

Risks of Monovision LASIK

There biggest difference between LASIK and mono-vision LASIK in regard to risk is a patients inability to accomodate to the variation in prescription between each eye. Since with monovision, one eye is left slightly undercorrected, for a very small percentage of patients find they struggle to acclimate to the vision discrepancy between their eyes. When this happens, we simply remove the prescription in the undercorrected eye during a re-treatment and the patient will just need over-the-counter reading glasses at some point in their life for up-close work.

Is Monovision LASIK Right for You?

Our skilled LASIK surgeons have the expertise to assess whether monovision LASIK is the ideal choice for you. In a personalized consultation, our LASIK specialists will meticulously examine your eyes and assess your vision to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Interested in learning if you’re a candidate? Get started by taking our free candidacy test, or by booking a free consultation with our LASIK experts. Find out if monovision LASIK can give you better vision for a brighter future. Don’t let blurry vision hold you back – contact us today and let’s work together towards natural vision.

Sources:
• Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/in-depth/lasik-surgery/art-20045751
• Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8577-presbyopia
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://eyewiki.aao.org/Monovision_LASIK