Limitations of Monovision

    SEATTLE, WA, August 04, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Most of the eye patients who undergo the monovision procedure are happy with the results. However, there are some who find disappointment with the results, or they have a difficult time adjusting to the procedure.

Monovision is a procedure to improve the vision of those who have presbyopia, a condition characterized by blurred near vision. This is due to the aging of the eye as people begin to get into their 40s. As a result, many people find they need reading glasses or bifocals. The monovision procedure corrects the vision in the dominant eye to see clearly at a distance and the other eye to see clearly close up. The brain will then compensate for this difference, making it so you do not have to "think" about how to see.

The problem some people face is that the length of time the brain takes to compensate can be too long for them. On average, it takes six to eight weeks for your vision center to get used to the new way you are looking at the world. While the process begins one to three weeks after monovision, waiting the equivalent of two and a half months to see what the final results may be can be aggravating. Others may find that they still need reading glasses once their eyes have adjusted.

Other monovision limitations include:

- Compromised "binocular vision" affecting focus, depth perception and range of vision
- Loss of middle distance vision that can affect some jobs, such as piloting aircraft
- Interference causing blurry vision at all distances in one eye

Your ophthalmologist will also need to determine if monovision is best for you if:

- You drive for long periods at night
- You require detailed near vision for work close-up
- Your activities or job require sharp distance vision, such as flying a plane

If you have any of these needs, monovision may not be best for your situation. While monovision is an improvement for those who are tired of bifocals and reading glasses, it is not a cure-all. Monovision often means compromising to get the best results you can.

If you would like to learn more about monovision and are in the Seattle or Bellevue area, please visit the website of Bellevue LASIK & Cornea at www.bellevue-lasik.com for an initial consultation.

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