The Benefits of Choosing Monovision LASIK

Most people know a thing or two about LASIK – usually that it involves lasers and that it makes you see better. But did you know that there is more than one type of LASIK surgery? There are in fact several techniques used to correct vision surgically. Two of the most popular techniques used in LASIK are monovision and full distance vision, and they have some very distinct differences.

How does Monovision compare to Blended Vision?

Monovision is a technique used for vision correction that aims to adjust one eye separately from the other. People tend to have a dominant eye, much in the same way as being left or right handed. With monovision, the dominant eye is completely corrected to see at a distance, while the other eye is purposefully made to be nearsighted. This allows the person to see at both distances fluidly by switching which eye they focus through. Don’t worry though, both eyes continue to work together. Your doctor may have you try monovision contacts before committing to the surgery, as it can take some getting used to.

Full distance vision, on the other hand, corrects both eyes similarly for distance. This gives more leeway in seeing the distances in between that monovision doesn’t correct for. It may also be easier to get used to than monovision for some people.

Why Should I Choose Monovision?

While monovision may sound like it’s not as good as full distance on paper, it is actually just as effective. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Monovision tends to work better for presbyopic patients, usually over 40, as having a mildly nearsighted eye can help you see up close. If you are more active, you want to choose full distance to get a wider range of focal points.

The best way to find out what type of LASIK is best for you is to schedule a consultation with your doctor. Dr. Ellis has many convenient locations in California including San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, and Roseville. Contact us today to begin changing your sight for the better!