What is Monovision?

Correct one eye for distance vision and the other eye for up-close vision.
Your brain will naturally learn to combine both eyes, allowing you to function comfortably in daily life.
Suitable for individuals who want to reduce dependence on glasses and do not require perfect vision at both near and distance all the time, but may accept some compromise in clarity and intermediate range.
Lenticular extraction techniques (such as Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro), ReLEx SMILE) can be performed, which may help reduce dry eye symptoms and allow faster recovery

Monovision is a refractive strategy used for patients 40 years and older who have presbyopia. One eye (the dominant eye) is corrected fully for clear distance vision, while the other eye (the non-dominant eye) is intentionally left slightly nearsighted, allowing for functional near vision. This approach provides good vision at both far and near distances for most daily activities without glasses—such as reading price tags, menus, or mobile screens.

How Monovision Works Visually

Dominant Eye: Optimized for clear distance vision, but near vision may be limited.
Non-Dominant Eye: Adjusted for better near vision, enabling comfortable reading of everyday text.

When used together, the brain blends the visual input from both eyes, allowing good functional vision at multiple distances.

Important Considerations About Monovision

Monovision offers many lifestyle advantages but has potential trade-offs:

Distance vision may be slightly less sharp, especially in dim lighting or nighttime conditions.
Near vision is functional for short tasks, but reading small print for extended periods may still cause eye strain or reduced clarity.

Presbyopia Correction with Monovision

Helps reduce dependence on glasses in daily life.
A laser vision correction procedure with a quick recovery.
Requires a visual simulation test before undergoing treatment.
Suitable for individuals who can adapt to the difference in vision between the two eyes.

Monovision May Require Glasses for Certain Activities

Due to the limitations described above, patients who choose Monovision vision correction may need to wear glasses on certain occasions, depending on their visual needs.

Nighttime Driving: Glasses may be needed to improve distance vision when driving at night. In low-light conditions, the eye with residual myopia, which is intended for near vision, may interfere with distance vision. This may make nighttime vision less clear and affect the patient's confidence and safety when driving. For these glasses, the dominant eye, which provides clear distance vision, will have a plano (non-prescription) lens, while the eye with residual myopia will have a lens to correct myopia. During daytime driving, patients who have undergone Monovision typically do not need glasses.
Prolonged Near Work: Glasses may be needed for greater visual comfort and to reduce eye strain when reading for extended periods, doing crafts, using a computer for long periods, or reading small print. These glasses will have a plano (non-prescription) lens for the eye with residual myopia and a reading lens for the dominant eye, which provides clear distance vision. For brief near-vision tasks, such as reading a restaurant menu or checking price tags, glasses are generally not necessary.
Glasses Only When Needed: Both types of glasses are intended for occasional use when necessary. Wearing them does not damage your eyes or prevent you from adapting to Monovision.

Monovision utilizes Super ReLEx (SMILE pro), ReLEx SMILE, and FemtoLASIK

Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro)
- Currently the most advanced form of refractive surgery, correcting refractive errors by removing excessive corneal tissue in the form of a lenticule through a small incision of 2-3 mm.
- It is an upgrade from ReLEx SMILE, utilizing state-of-the-art Visumax 800 femtosecond laser from Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany.
- The laser process takes only 8-10 seconds per eye, about three times faster than ReLEx SMILE, reducing the chance of postoperative complications and increasing the level of patient comfort during surgery.
- The intelligent navigation systems, OcuLign and CentraLign, featured in SMILE Pro.

ReLEx SMILE (Refractive Lenticule Extraction)
- Advanced treatment for refractive errors including myopia and astigmatism by removing excessive corneal tissue in the form of a lenticule through a small incision of 2-3 mm. utilizing state-of-the-art femtosecond technology from Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany.
- The laser process takes only 23-25 seconds per eye.
- Further development of LASIK and FemtoLASIK, bladeless and all femtosecond technology.

Femto LASIK (Femtosecond laser LASIK)
- FemtoLASIK is a treatment for correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, utilizing Femtosecond laser to create the high precision corneal flap, and then, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea.
- FemtoLASIK uses femtosecond laser instead of microkeratome in creating corneal flap.
- FemtoLASIK is referred to as “Bladeless LASIK”.

Monovision is a visual approach where each eye is set to focus at a different distance—one eye is corrected for distance vision, while the other is corrected for near vision.

In general, younger individuals with normal vision can naturally see clearly at both near and far distances. However, as we age, presbyopia develops, making it difficult to focus up-close.

With monovision, patients are able to see both near and far without relying on glasses or contact lenses all the time, however, monovision can still require the use of spectacles on some occasions.

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Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Monovision?

Monovision may not be suitable for everyone, but it can be an effective vision correction option for individuals with the following characteristics:

Adults aged approximately 40–50 years and older.

Individuals with pre-existing myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism who are beginning to experience difficulty seeing clearly at near distances.
Individuals with mild presbyopia, such as those with a near-vision addition of less than +1.50 diopters (D).
Individuals with pre-existing myopia of approximately −3.00 to −4.00 diopters (D), who may generally adapt well to Monovision.
Individuals who regularly wear glasses or contact lenses with a lower prescription than their actual refractive error.
Individuals who are adaptable, patient, and comfortable with changes in their visual experience.

I needed glasses for everything—reading, using my iPad, even checking my phone. I didn’t want to rely on glasses anymore, so I decided to have LASIK for farsightedness.