Once you attend the preoperative eye examination at TRSC and are deemed a suitable candidate for LASIK, your options will be discussed
1. LASIK with Full Correction
Both eyes will be set for distance and you will have good vision both near and far until you reach the age of 40, when people are affected by age-related farsightedness, also known as presbyopia. The crystalline lens inside the eye is responsible for changing focus between near and far. This is a natural part of the aging process, and this lens will gradually become less flexible over time. Contrary to popular belief, this is not due to over-use of the eyes. When the crystalline lens loses this flexibility and you are no longer able to focus up close, reading glasses help by doing the focusing for you. PRK/ LASIK surgery can give you perfect vision, but only at one distance. LASIK surgery affects only the cornea, which is a different part of the eye than the crystalline lens. Therefore, the flexibility of the lens necessary for changing focus cannot be recovered. You will need to use reading glasses to see things up close.
2. LASIK with Monovision
For those over the age of 40, there is an alternative called “Monovision”. This can help to reduce the need for reading glasses after LASIK. With monovision, one eye is corrected for distance and the other eye for near.
TRSC Current Study of Functionality: Shows the percentage of patients who are glasses-free for the following specific activities.
|
TRSC Monovision |
Sewing or small crafts |
88.90% |
Reading a Newspaper |
84.40% |
Reading a Menu |
97.80% |
Using a Mobile Phone |
100.00% |
Playing board games |
100.00% |
Using a computer |
97.70% |
Using a laptop |
100.00% |
Watching television |
100.00% |
Watching a movie in the theatre |
100.00% |
Playing sports such as golf or tennis |
100.00% |
Daytime driving |
95.30% |
Night driving |
92.30% |
** TRSC Clinical research
Getting Monovision is advantageous in many aspects concerning the convenience afforded in everyday activities, but it also has its drawbacks, the first being that far vision may not be perfect, especially at night or in areas with dim lighting. The second drawback is that near vision will typically work well for only short periods. In instances where patients need to read, do some craft work, use a computer for long periods of time, spectacles that aid near vision may be needed to help relax the eyes and prevent tiring.
Before you decide to choose Monovision LASIK or PRK
- At the preoperative eye examination, you will be tested by wearing trial glasses to stimulate what monovision looks and feels like so that you can decide if it is suitable for you. You will meet with your personal counselor who can assist you during the examination if you have any questions.
- If after the trial you are still not sure whether monovision is right for you, your doctor may prescribe you trial glasses or contacts so that you can try out monovision in your normal environment and take your time to decide what is right for you. |