Monovision is the art and science of allowing one to see both distance and near when presbyopia develops. Presbyopia is the natural change that occurs in everyone’s eyes sometime after the age of 40. The eye’s natural lens loses its ability to focus on reading and tasks at near. Depending on one’s refractive state, presbyopia will affect everyone in different ways and at different times. Presbyopia is unavoidable. Some people are myopic (near sighted), some are hyperopic (far sighted) and others are emmetropes (have no distance correction).  These different refractive states can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, refractive surgery, and cataract surgery. Reading glasses, bifocals or progressive lenses are often used to help with presbyopia.  Our Washington doctors routinely provide these services.

With Monovision there is no Need for Reading Glasses
Monovision is the art of finding the right prescription for a patient to be able to see at distance and near without the dependency of glasses. One eye is corrected for distance and the other is corrected for near. It is becoming very common in the presbyopic population. Although it seems strange at first, the brain can quickly adapt to this difference. It is becoming a very popular option for people with a busy personal and professional life.   Primarily because this method of vision correction decreases the need for constantly searching for reading glasses.  Although it does not work for everyone, it is a safe, viable option. It is not perfect vision and there is a compromise.

Who is a Candidate for Monovision?
Ophthalmologists can determine whether a patient is a candidate for Monovision. First, a complete eye examination is necessary to check the health of the eyes. A careful history is essential with details such as sports, hobbies, profession and extent of driving, reading and computer use. Monovision can affect depth perception so it is crucial that all aspects of a patient’s lifestyle are discussed with the doctor. Next, eye dominance is determined to help decide which is the dominant (distance) eye and which is the non dominant (near) eye. The brain takes a few weeks to adapt to this new vision.
Monovision can be obtained with contact lenses, refractive surgery and cataract surgery. The eye doctors at Eye Associates of Washington, D.C. have years of experience and excellent results with Monovision correction.  If interested in more information call one of our Washington eye doctors for an appointment.

Shilpa D. Rose, M.D.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Washington, D.C. and Tyson’s Corner