Any one over the age of 40, whether they have normal vision or not, is likely to experience some degree of reading vision loss. This natural, progressive condition, called presbyopia, is caused by changes in your crystalline lens, which is the focusing element that sits directly behind your pupil.
Until recently, the primary means of correcting presbyopia has been the use of reading glasses, either stand alone or in some combination with other powered lenses in a bifocal, trifocal or progressive configuration.
If you're over 40, and you suffer from poor distance and reading vision, and you want to be entirely free of your contact lenses and glasses, then Dr. Hyver may be able to solve this dual problem by using a laser vision correction technique called, monovision.
In monovision, Dr. Hyver will correct one of your eyes for distance vision, and the other eye, for reading vision.
Consider a patient with a high nearsighted prescription. In this case, Dr. Hyver would treat one eye such that the light's focal point moves from in front of directly onto the patient's retina, producing clear distance vision in that eye.
In the other eye, Dr. Hyver would treat the eye such that the light's focal point moves closer to but not directly onto the retina. In other words, he would preserve a targeted amount of nearsightedness, or near vision, in that eye to provide reading vision support.
This is monovision. It allows you to switch your focus depending on your vision objective. For example, on a golf course, you can track the ball in flight using your distance eye, and then review the small print of your scorecard using your near eye.
Even though the majority of our patients over the age of 40, elect and enjoy their monovision, it isn't for everyone. During your initial consultation, we can simulate the effect of monovision using a special pair of glasses or through the use of contact lenses.
It's important that before you choose monovision treatment, you understand both its advantages and limitations, and can also comfortably adapt to it. That's why it's important to discuss your concerns and questions with Dr. Hyver during your consultation.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or need additional information on monovision, please call 800.454.2747 and ask to speak with a patient counselor.
