Mini-monovision: near/inter vs. inter/distance

[UncertainKatie]

A member of the community commented that Dr. Hagan prefers the near/intermediate mini monovision option with standard IOLs for severely myopic patients undergoing cataract surgery. This option is preferred over the intermediate/distance option. I have -12 in both eyes and I am relatively young (50 years old) and very active (I ski and bike but I also work at a computer and read a lot.) I have decided to not use any of the premium lenses. I am trying to decide which mini monovision option might be best for me. What are the pros and cons? Are people happier in general with one over the other? Do most people adapt easily to both types of mini monovision?

[JodieJ]

Hope your outcome exceeds your expectations!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Being very active and outdoor loving, you might like distance/intermediate best.

[UncertainKatie]

Thank you to both of you for your thoughts. I have made the decision to go for intermediate/distance because I do lead a very active life. My first surgery is tomorrow -- wish me luck!!

[JodieJ]

Dr. Hagan has stated that he would choose mini-monovision with a near bias for his own eyes.  He is used to being able to read without glasses, and this type of correction would allow him to continue to do so.  It might also work well for a professional chef or an avid quilter.  But most people would probably prefer distance/intermediate vision.  I think that we rely on good distance vision more often than we realize.  With 20/40 distance vision I could legally drive, but I couldn't find things in the supermarket because I couldn't see the overhead signs at the end of the aisles, and I couldn't see what they were ringing up on the register.  (That's when I knew that it was time for some new contacts.)

[londonbridge]

Good that you are not using the premiums. I had one Restor implanted and then explanted. I very myopic also, -8 and they had only recently been approved for my prescription and didn't work very well.
Back to your question. I choose the intermediate/distance vision option (have my nondominant eye set for intermediate with a toric monofocal; wear a distance contact in my dominant and will eventual have an IOL set for distance). I like this option. As a near sighted person I was always struggling to see distance and like to be able to do so without glasses. My intermediate is good too and I need prescription glasses only for smaller print and to sharpen up the computer, since I have an astigmatism that wasn't completely corrected with the toric). I was used to always wearing glasses so I didn't mind using them for these tasks. If you choose this you will loose your very close up vision since monofocals have a set range. If you are like me that is seeing very fine detail when holding something up to my nose.
In the long run it depends what you most want to be glasses free of. If you are very active you may enjoy the freedom and wider field of vision with a distance/intermediate perscription.
Good luck, I think it is personal perference. Maybe try out contacts in various percriptions to see how you like both options.
londonbridge