Some facts of aging are simply unavoidable. Like gray hair, presbyopia is one of them, as the lenses of our eyes lose their ability to focus on objects at different distances and we begin having trouble seeing objects up close without the aid of eyewear. While the root causes of this condition can not be prevented or reversed, there are ways of dealing with the problems that it causes. One is to use LASIK surgery to produce monovision, in which one eye is adjusted to view objects up close and the other is tuned to objects farther away. At Acclaro Eye Care, we offer monovision to those from Minneapolis and other Twin Cities areas at our practice so that they can continue to enjoy good, functional vision throughout their lives.
The Laser Monovision Treatment
Drawbacks to Monovision Treatment
As wonderful as LASIK is, no laser eye surgery can reverse the symptoms of presbyopia fully, which typically begin to set in around the age of forty. The refractive errors that LASIK can treat are caused by problems in the length of the eye or the curve of the cornea, but presbyopia is caused by decreased flexibility in the lens of the eye. It's not that the eye permanently focuses light wrongly, it's that it can't adjust to focus the light from different depths with sufficient agility anymore. As of yet, no treatment can fully restore the structure of the eye to its youthful state.
Fortunately, Dr. Daniel Conrad can use LASIK to work around this problem by changing the cornea of one eye so that it is suited to viewing objects nearby and the other so that it focuses on things further afield. The resulting state is called monovision, and the treatment process is not really any different from that for regular LASIK from the patient's perspective. After the eyes have healed, the brain will automatically learn which eye to use primarily for all viewing conditions, resulting in a far greater range of clear vision for the patient.
If necessary or desired, other procedures can be used to produce monovision, including LASEK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange. Bifocal contact lenses are also an option that some patients choose. If a laser treatment is selected, custom LASIK surgery and IntraLase® may of course be incorporated into the procedure when possible.
While monovision enables better visual performance than most patients enjoy beforehand, there are some issues to consider. First of all, there is a period of adjustment after the procedure as the brain learns which eye to go to in each situation. This occurs naturally, but it takes a bit of time. A more lasting concern, though, is that depth perception is somewhat impaired since the eyes normally work together to allow people to conceive of the three-dimensional space around them. As monovision cannot be reversed, most patients are directed to try out the expected results using contact lenses of different prescriptions beforehand.
Of course, one other important concern is that monovision surgery entails all the risks that LASIK does when used to produce more conventional vision correction. Still most patients are pleased with their results and enjoy going about their lives without depending on glasses and contact lenses.
If you are suffering from presbyopia symptoms, consider undergoing monovision treatment. Our Minneapolis practice serving the Twin Cities can help you decide whether this solution is right for you and then select the most appropriate means of adjusting your vision. Contact us today to set up a consultation at which we can discuss these options with you.
If you would like to know more about monovision treatment, contact our Twin Cities practice in North Minneapolis using the form below.
Acclaro Eye Care
200 Village Center Drive
Suite 300
North Oaks, Minnesota 55127
Telephone: 651.484.EYES (3937)
Fax: 651.482.0896