As we get older, our vision and our eyes go through a number of changes. This is particularly true in advanced age, where certain vision issues are unavoidable. Thankfully there are many different kinds of eye care treatments out there that can help you achieve excellent vision.
Right now, we’d like to focus on one particular laser eye surgery option that allows patients suffering from presbyopia see clearly again: monovision LASIK.
About Presbyopia
It would be helpful to first describe what presbyopia is and why it causes people problems.
Presbyopia is a form of age-related farsightedness that occurs in middle age and onwards. It is caused by the lens of the eye losing flexibility, which makes seeing nearby objects clearly more difficult. This is a natural part of the aging process.
Symptoms of Presbyopia
Some of the most common symptoms of presbyopia include:
- The need to hold reading material further away
- Blurry near vision
- Headaches
- Eye strain and fatigue
If you should experience any of the above after the age of 40, it is very likely that presbyopia has begun to occur.
About Monovision LASIK
Monovision LASIK is a fine way of addressing problems related to presbyopia. During monovision LASIK, one eye is corrected for distance while the other is corrected for reading and other activities that involve near vision. The dominant eye is treated for distance, which allows the brain to compensate for this differential in vision between the eyes.
Ideal Candidates for Monovision LASIK
The best candidates for monovision LASIK are people suffering from presbyopia who are in otherwise good health and would like to see clearly without the need for glasses, bifocals, or contact lenses. They should have healthy corneas of regular thickness and have realistic expectations about what the procedure entails.
The Monovision LASIK Procedure
The monovision LASIK procedure is performed just as typical LASIK would be. A small flap is created in the surface of the cornea (the epithelium). Once this flap is created, the LASIK surgeon is able to reshape the cornea as needed with a laser and improve overall vision in the process.
Patients will be advised to refrain from activities that may cause eyestrain for at least a day or two after surgery, such as reading, watching TV, using the computer, and so on. Follow-up visits will be held in the days and weeks after monovision LASIK to ensure that patients are healing properly and are acclimating to their altered vision.
Alternatives to Monovision LASIK
While monovision LASIK is a great option to consider for effective vision correction, there are many other surgeries and non-surgical treatment options out there that can be helpful as an alternative.
For example, intraocular lenses (IOLs) may be more ideal for your needs. These are artificial lenses that are used to replace the natural lens of the eye. Many patients respond quite positively to this kind of presbyopia treatment.
As for non-surgical alternatives, many patients do respond positively to wearing corrective lenses, such as contacts, glasses, or bifocals. In the case of glasses, patients will have two pairs: one for reading, and one for distance vision.
The best option for you and your needs will be determined during the consultation process.
Learn More About Laser Vision Correction
For more information about your options for advanced eye care, be sure to contact our Rapid City, South Dakota laser vision correction center today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the best possible eyesight using the latest in advanced eye care technology.
