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Cataract surgery is a safe and common procedure where your clouded natural lens is removed from the eye and replaced with an artificial lens implant called an intraocular lens (IOL). There are a range of implant lenses to choose from and choosing which type of lens to replace in your eye will depend on your eye health, lifestyle, job and hobbies and what is important to you. Some people have always worn glasses and are happy to have both eyes with new lenses set to one focal point, usually distance, and then wear glasses for reading or close up activities - because that is what they are used to.
Why choose monovision cataract surgery?
Many people are enjoying the freedom from wearing glasses both for near and distance vision by choosing to have monovision lenses implanted with their cataract surgery. Monovison has been widely used in surgical cataract practice for more than 3 decades with high client satisfaction rates. Apart from being glasses free, the main advantages of monovision cataract surgery is that the modern intraocular lenses provide good optical quality without halos, ghosting or glare, which many people find with traditional multifocal lenses.
What is monovision?
Monovision or blended vision is when the surgeon selects the appropriate intraocular lenses with different powers to correct one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. So your two eyes have different focusing powers, but the two eyes actually work together to provide a clear, blended vision for near and far distances. Your brain automatically adjusts your visual system to see clear vision whether you are focusing on distant or near objects and the brain combines both images to give much greater depth of vision and all-round improvement in your visual acuity without glasses.
What result should I expect from monovision cataract surgery?
You can expect to be able to do most of your daily activities for near, intermediate and distance vision without the need for glasses. Some people still require a pair of glasses for night time driving or reading the small print on paper, or doing very fine tasks such as threading a needle.
Am I a good candidate for monovision cataract surgery?
People who are keen to have high quality vision at near and distance ranges and who don’t want to wear glasses or contact lenses are good candidates.
People who like outdoor activities and sports and find glasses inconvenient enjoy the freedom from glasses that monovision cataracts can offer.
If you do not like or can’t tolerate bifocals and contact lenses then monovision cataracts is a good option to discuss with your surgeon.
Is there any reason why I would not be suitable for monovision cataract surgery?
If you have a history of severe eye problems; glaucoma with significant loss of peripheral field vision, severe diabetic retinopathy or severe macular degeneration, a history of stroke with side vision loss, Parkinson’s disease or severe Graves Eye Disease then you are unlikely to be considered for IOL monovision. Likewise if you have a history of eye muscle surgery, double vision or prism in your glasses and if you need perfect, fine stereo vision for your job.
If I have astigmatism am I suitable for monovision cataract surgery?
If you have astigmatism you will likely need to have this corrected during your cataract surgery. This can be done with Toric IOLs
Is monovision used to treat other eye conditions?
Monovison has been used for many years with contact lens correction and by refractive eye surgeons who do laser eye surgery. Monovision or laser blended vision is used to correct presbyopia - the natural age related condition that affects us all at around 45 years of age, when many of us start to struggle to read a newspaper or menu and find ourselves holding our smartphone further away to read the screen. Laser Blended Vision uses LASIK technology where the dominant eye is treated for distance vision and the non-dominant eye is treated for close vision (reading) eliminating the need for all types of glasses. Refractive surgeons have been offering monovison for laser eye surgery for over 10 years with high levels of satisfaction.
Bowen Eye Clinic
As Dr Reece Hall is both a cataract and refractive eye surgeon, he is the best person to talk to about the option of having monovision cataract surgery. He will complete a thorough eye examination and discuss your visual needs to recommend the cataract procedure that is the safest and best for your eyes. Phone 0800 69 2020 for an appointment with Dr Reece Hall at Bowen Eye Clinic in one of our clinics in Wellington, Waikanae or Palmerston North.