Monovision is the process of fitting contact lenses on a presbyopia patient. It ensures that both eyes continue to have a vision. The dominant eye will, however, have a stronger vision in the distance, whereas the non-dominant eye will see more clearly up close in monovision.
The Monovision process tackles Presbyopia. Presbyopia is the loss of near-focusing ability brought on by changes to the crystalline lens of the eye. It is a normal effect of aging, and most people start to notice the symptoms around the age of 40. For more information about the condition.
The prevalence of presbyopia has been estimated at nearly 80% of all people aged between 45–55 in North America. This means 80% of people could benefit from Monovision.
For generations, patients relied on reading glasses or bifocals to provide clear near vision. But now, Monovision offers an alternative.
What are monovision contact lenses?
When wearing contact lenses for monovision, the dominant eye is fitted with a lens for far vision, and the other eye is fitted with a lens for near vision. One contact lens could be used for close and distance if a prescription is not required.
How long does it take to get used to monovision contact lenses?
If you’re considering getting monovision contact lenses, it can take some time to get used to them. Monovision adaptation normally takes at least one to two weeks. As the lenses are worn, the vision will continue to get better. It is possible to initially detect shadowing of images, especially when reading, as well as a mildly off-putting visual experience. A monovision patient might feel more at ease with the correction as the brain, and visual system gets used to the new vision correction.
Why do things look small when using monovision contacts?
The disadvantage of monovision is that some people believe it severely impairs their ability to see clearly in the distance, giving the appearance that distant objects are slightly blurred or small.
Some people discover that monovision doesn’t provide them the close-up vision they need to be able to stop using reading glasses. Additionally, although the two eyes still function as a team in monovision, it can occasionally result in a little loss of depth perception.
What is the ideal monovision power distance?
In a study among emmetropic presbyopic patients, a patient questionnaire and a set of eight tests for evaluating various aspects of visual function were used to determine the best near and far vision for monovision contact lens usage.
What is the opposite of monovision?
The opposite of monovision is the multifocal lens. It is described as a lens with two or more prescriptions for correcting vision at various distances. These include customized occupational lenses, bifocals, trifocals, and progressives. Multifocals are made to improve people’s vision at a range of distances, especially as they get older.
What is the difference between monovision and multifocal contacts?
Monovision or multifocal lenses are appropriate for everyone who needs a prescription for near and far vision. To determine their differences further, this table will show you some facts about monovision and multifocal lenses.
| Monovision | Multifocal |
| When you have blended vision, also known as monovision, you wear contact lenses in both eyes, one for near vision correction and one for distant correction. Typically, you wear the distance-vision lens in your stronger eye. Your brain develops the ability to tune in the image you wish to view at any given distance subconsciously. | Multifocal lenses provide three rings of vision. Your distance vision is placed on the outer ring, and your intermediate or computer vision is located in the middle ring. The inner ring is where you may see things up close. These rings are mixed to provide a smooth transition from far away to close up and back again. Since your brain interprets what you see rather than your eyes, it develops the ability to choose and learn to concentrate on a clearer image while suppressing blurrier vision. |
| Some people can adjust faster than others under monovision. While most people acclimate practically right away, others take a little longer—up to several weeks—to acclimate. | Every Presbyopia correction method calls for adaptation and modification. Thus, just like having monovision lenses, some people can adjust faster than others.
Typically, it takes the patient two weeks to get used to using multifocal contact lenses. Sometimes, the vision needs to be adjusted. |
| Some people’s vision is improved as if they were wearing glasses, while others find it slightly more challenging at close and far distances. In the same way that wearing glasses compromises your vision, blended vision does too. Blended vision enables you to see up close and far away without glasses. The other option is to use reading glasses for close up while having both eyes corrected for distance. | Multifocal lenses can serve as a substitute for glasses and might allow for reduced peripheral vision blockage. |
| The vision requirements for a driver’s license in some states are well within the range of patients with monovision. For “particularly clear” distant vision while driving at dusk or in the rain, some patients, nevertheless, prefer to use driving glasses. | When driving, multifocal contact lenses can improve depth perception and peripheral vision while enabling clear distance vision. |
Why are some cataract patients not satisfied with monovision?
All currently accessible methods to enhance near vision after cataract surgery involve some level of compromise. It would be predicted that monovision aimed at higher myopia levels for near vision would provide high levels of spectacle independence for reading; nevertheless, the problems with stereo acuity, contrast sensitivity, and dominance are more difficult to solve. Modified monovision or mixed vision, in contrast, yields a predictable outcome with a high level of patient satisfaction.
For more information about patient satisfaction regarding monovision vs. multifocal after cataract surgery, you may view this article.