A Two-for-One Vision Solution: The Advantages of Monovision and Blended LASIK

Monovision LASIK is a specialized LASIK procedure to lessen or eliminate the need for reading glasses. With monovision LASIK, astigmatic, nearsighted, or farsighted individuals can correct their vision.

During the procedure, the surgeon reshapes the cornea of each eye differently using a laser, creating a monovision effect. The dominant eye is usually corrected for emmetropia (distance vision), while the other eye is corrected for myopia (near vision).

Blended LASIK, like all laser custom LASIK, can minimize or eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses. It aims to provide patients with clear vision at all distances. However, unlike traditional LASIK, which corrects the entire cornea with a single prescription, blended LASIK uses multiple laser treatments to transition between different prescriptions gradually.

This treatment allows for a more natural and comfortable vision correction, particularly for individuals with presbyopia, which typically develops with age and causes difficulty focusing on close-up objects.

The difference between monovision and laser-blended vision is that blended vision near-eye sees much better at a distance than the near-eye set with traditional monovision. Similarly, the laser-blended vision distance-eye sees more up close than the distance-eye with conventional monovision. The blended vision is a milder correction and is more of a compromise.

Monovision LASIK: An Outlook

Monovision LASIK is a procedure in refractive surgery that is adopted for the treatment of presbyopia. Monovision LASIK is a safe and effective means of treatment with high patient satisfaction.

Monovision LASIK combines two techniques of surgery to correct refractive error. First, an ultra-thin flap is created on the front surface of the eye (cornea) using a femtosecond laser. Next, a cool beam excimer laser permanently reshapes the cornea. During the treatment application, a high-speed eye tracker monitors the eye’s position to ensure precise and accurate treatment placement.

Vision recovery is rapid, and most patients can resume normal activities, including driving, within 24 hours of surgery.

Although not everyone is eligible for monovision LASIK, it is a viable option for you if you:

• Desire high-quality vision at all ranges (near and far distances) without glasses or contact lenses.
• Love outdoor activities for which wearing glasses is inconvenient.
• Already wear monovision contact lenses or eyeglasses to correct your vision.
• Are above 40 years old and have difficulty seeing up close.
• Suffer from presbyopia, an age-related loss of near vision.
• Are not pregnant.

Monovision LASIK seeks to provide the same level of vision correction as monovision contact lenses without the contact lenses in your eyes. However, patients who require the sharpest corrected vision possible at a distance or up close may not be the best candidates for monovision.

After a monovision LASIK procedure, it is essential to take specific cautions to ensure that you expedite the healing timeline, improve satisfaction, achieve optimal results, and minimize the risk of complications.

It’s crucial to refrain from rubbing your eyes throughout the healing process and from engaging in any other behaviour that could cause an infection in the wound or dislodge the flap. The post-LASIK care plan will frequently include eye drops to prevent dry eye and moisten your eyes.

Blended LASIK: An Analysis

In the blended LASIK procedure, the excimer laser makes one eye (the non-dominant eye) a little near-sighted. This is because the non-dominant eye sees close up, whereas your dominant eye sees clearly in the distance.

Not only does blended laser vision make the non-dominant eye nearsighted, but it also creates monovision in that eye. Moreover, the laser causes a positive spherical aberration in the eye’s centre. You won’t be able to tell which eye you use for distant or close-up vision because of how well the brain combines the images after this correction reduces the gap between the images from the two eyes.

The blended vision LASIK method combines two different laser techniques. This procedure is similar to other corneal refractive surgeries:

• A hinged corneal tissue flap is created with a fast and highly precise femtosecond laser.
• After the flap is created with a femtosecond laser, the patient is conveniently moved from the femtosecond laser to the excimer laser.
• The flap is gently folded back, exposing the inner corneal tissue to be treated.
• Afterwards, the flap is returned to its original position, protecting the eye like a natural bandage. Within hours, the flap sticks to the underlying tissue without stitches.

The laser on each eye takes 3 to 15 seconds for the required treatment to be completed, while the entire procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Blended LASIK is suitable for people with mild to moderate levels of both farsightedness and nearsightedness.

It is crucial to properly care for your eyes after blended LASIK to guarantee a quick and successful recovery. This measure may involve using eye drops, avoiding rubbing your eyes, wearing eye protection, and attending follow-up appointments.

Monovision LASIK vs. Blended LASIK

Both monovision LASIK and blended LASIK provide a range of benefits, particularly in comparison to traditional solutions, such as bifocal glasses or contact lenses and other refractive surgery options used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

However, the advantages of these LASIK procedures depend on the individual’s specific vision needs, as what works best for one person may work better for another. Below are the advantages of each of these LASIK procedures.

Monovision LASIK

1. Reduces the need for reading glasses or bifocals for individuals who have presbyopia.
2. It enables people to see up close and far away, even though each eye has slightly varied visual acuity.
3. It provides good depth perception, as both eyes are still used together to perceive depth.
4. It can be a cost-efficient alternative to other multifocal intraocular lens options for presbyopia correction.

Blended LASIK

1. Laser-blended vision is generally more accurate than intraocular lenses at hitting the refractive target. The target can be adjusted with a simple enhancement process if it is not met.
2. Freedom from reading glasses and bifocals is provided through laser-blended vision.
3. The treatment is quick and relatively painless.
4. Recovery is quick, and there is little to no post-treatment discomfort.
5. Near, far, and even intermediate distances generally have clear sight.

As much as these LASIK procedures are highly beneficial, there are a few disadvantages, as itemized below:

Monovision LASIK

1. It can take some time for patients to adjust to monovision because of the difference in visual acuity.
2. Some patients may not be able to tolerate monovision LASIK due to the way their brain processes visual information.

Blended LASIK

1. Individuals who undergo blended LASIK may experience visual disturbances such as halos, glare, or double vision.
2. Patients may require additional surgery or treatment to correct any residual refractive errors.

Monovision LASIK is better suited for individuals with presbyopia who want to lessen their dependence on reading glasses. In contrast, blended LASIK may be a better option for those who want a more balanced vision correction.

Due to patients’ challenges adapting to the monovision treatment, it has a lower overall satisfaction rate. Ultimately, the best option for each individual will depend on their specific needs and preferences.

Which Procedure Is Right for You?

Monovision and blended LASIK procedures are efficient and safe options for treating vision problems like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Monovision LASIK entails correcting one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision. In contrast, blended LASIK uses multiple laser treatments to create a gradual transition between different prescriptions.

Typically, blended LASIK is used in patients with mild to moderate presbyopia who want to correct both near and distance vision in each eye. Monovision LASIK is often used in patients over 40 with presbyopia who want to reduce their need for reading glasses or bifocals.

Both procedures are safe and have low-risk complication rates. Therefore, the preference and safety of either monovision or blended LASIK depend on specific vision needs, expectations, and factors like age and overall health.