Around their early to mid 40s, all adults will start to experience difficulties with their near vision. Even those with perfect vision their entire lives will notice a change in their reading vision. This is due to a natural aging of the lens called presbyopia. The lens' ability to flex or "accommodate" is lost, and the eyes cannot adjust or focus images at different distances. Traditionally, presbyopia was corrected with reading glasses, bifocal glasses or monovision contact lenses. Today, monovision can also be replicated through laser eye surgery.

Monovision laser surgery corrects one eye for distance and one eye for near. In monovision, the distance eye will do most of the work when looking at objects in the distance such as when driving or watching TV, and the near vision eye will do most of the work when looking at close objects like a computer screen or a book. Yet, your brain selects the correct eye automatically and seamlessly switches between the two. Monovision correction is very similar to stereo surround sound. Audio is transmitted in right and left channels and heard through respective ears yet you do not notice the separation. You hear one unified audio stream without thinking about which ear to use.

To determine if you will be comfortable with monovision correction, Dr. Maloney will simulate the procedure in-office with a special pair of spectacle lenses. Most patients will know immediately if they can adapt to the procedure. If you require more time, trial contact lenses can also be used. Patients will simulate the monovision for a few days with these lenses until they are confident in their decision.

Patients who do not adapt well to the monovision trial can still consider laser vision correction to correct distance vision in both eyes. If you are under the age of 45, reading glasses usually are not necessary after the procedure.

If you are over 45 and do not wish to have monovision LASIK, you will most likely require reading glasses after your LASIK surgery. For patients over 45 who wish to have both their far and distance vision corrected without monovision or using reading glasses, a possible option to explore in order to effectively manage their presbyopia is Lens Replacement Surgery.

Based on your lifestyle, activities and interests, Dr. Maloney and our staff can help determine what form of vision correction will best reach your vision goals.