Monovision

As we age, our eyes lose the ability to focus on objects close to us, a condition that ophthalmologists called presbyopia. Small print becomes illegible, eyestrain and headaches increase in frequency, and reading glasses become another mandatory item to keep with you at all times. The reason this happens is because the lens in your eye, which changes shape to adjust focus, begins to harden. As it hardens, the muscles in the eye can no longer make the necessary changes to the lens shape to provide focus.
If you are a candidate for cataract surgery, there is a solution to this issue called monovision. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens in your eye is replaced with an artificial version. This artificial lens has a particular power associated with it that provides you with a vision at a certain distance, either near or far depending on your preferences. Monovision is where different powered lens are placed in each eye, giving one eye the ability to see near and another eye to see at distance.
With monovision, the eye that sees at distance will have difficulty seeing objects up close while the eye that sees near will have difficult making out objects far away. Fortunately, the brain is extremely capable of adapting to these changes. With both eyes open, you’ll be have comfortable levels of vision at all distances.
Monovision may sound daunting to get used to, but the vast majority of patients don’t even notice that one eye is better for distance and the other is better for near vision when they are both open.
If you are a cataract candidate and want to learn more about this solution, feel free to call our office at 310-829-5475 or schedule a consultation with Dr. Rex Hamilton.