Let’s face it, as we grow older, our needs change. This is true for many things including laser vision correction surgery. So, are there types of LASIK that are right for people with presbyopia? Many people think that you can’t have LASIK surgery after the age of 40. Good news – this could not be further from the truth! Monovision LASIK is one of the many different types of LASIK. Monovision LASIK is performed on patients who need correction for near and distance vision.

Experienced vision correction surgeons should always begin with a blank slate to determine the procedure and outcome that is best for your individual vision correction needs including:

  • If you are nearsighted (correction only for distance), farsighted (only readers) or both (correction for everything all the time)
  • Anything that puts your eyes at high risk for taking a direct hit either in your personal or professional life
  • The thickness of your corneas
  • Your vision priorities: if distance more important or if reading is more important

After a full consultation, your laser eye surgeon should consider one of the following types of LASIK:

Monovision LASIK (or PRK)

If you are over the age of 40 and have seen your friends and family not using reading glasses, you’re probably pretty jealous if we had to guess. It’s possible that they have had monovision LASIK.

What is monovision LASIK? Monovision LASIK is a technique that corrects your dominant eye for distance and your other eye for near vision. Sounds a bit crazy, but consider how powerful your brain and eyes are – truly amazing together! A few early qualifications for monovision LASIK are:

  • You have presbyopia, you need reading glasses
  • You need to wear correction for distance and near vision (i.e. bifocals, progressives, contacts plus readers)

Is Monovision LASIK Right for You?

At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, Dr. Nunnery always has his patients “test drive’ monovision utilizing contact lenses. This test drive, which lasts 3-14 days, enables you to find the vision that works for all your needs and to confirm that your brain and eyes can adjust. Once you and Dr. Mozayeni agree that monovision LASIK is the right type of LASIK for you, he can proceed with either monovision LASIK or PRK no-flap LASIK to give you monovision. Does it work? Absolutely! Monovision has been an option since 1994, and has been very successful specifically with the WaveLight EX500.

Dr. Nunnery performs monovision LASIK utilizing the FDA-approved WaveLight FS200 laser and WaveLight EX500 laser.

As a fellowship-trained, cornea specialist, Dr. Nunnery is extremely capable of detecting the subtlest corneal abnormalities in order to recommend the safest, most predictable procedure for you. Having a complete and thorough consultation with your eye doctor is critical to know what type of LASIK is best for you. This is probably the single most important part of your laser eye surgery experience.

Contact Providence Eye for a free LASIK consultation with Dr. Nunnery at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists and determine if monovision LASIK or another type of LASIK is right for you, so you can begin seeing more and living better.