Decision to have Monovision

[phatpat]

I had a cataract removed from my left eye a couple of years ago that left me with 20/15 vision. Now my right eye needs surgery for a cataract and my doctor wants to give me a -1 lens so that my intermediate field of vision would improve. I'm losing sleep over this decision as friends advise me to get distance only in my right eye. Since I'm right handed, I'm assuming that the right eye is also my dominant eye and I read on this board that the dominant eye should be the distance eye, so at this point, I'm totally confused as to what course of action to follow. I'm concerned about problems with depth of field and also halos at night. I'd like to be able to drive comfortably at night. What do you believe would be the safest course of action. Thanks.

[JodieJ]

Research on LASIK monovision correction shows that either eye can be used for distance with about equal success (at least in the studies I read.)  I don't know if the success rate with IOLs has ever been researched.  I've never read about, heard of, or personally experienced any association between halos and monovision.  But what your doctor is recommending is not really monovision.  It's sort of a very watered-down version of it which would allow you to use the computer and probably read menus and larger print without glasses.  And the slight monovision effect could easily be reversed with glasses or a contact lens.

That said, I don't think that anyone should be pushed into an alternative for their vision that makes them uneasy, regardless of what their doctor or anyone else thinks.  With both eyes set for distance, you would need glasses or bifocal contacts for near/intermediate vision, but your distance vision would probably be as sharp as an eagle's.

Good luck with your surgery, and please don't lose any more sleep worrying about it.  (I'm guess that a modified monovision correction would be your doctor's personal choice, but that doesn't mean it has to be your choice, too.)

[JodieJ]

I think that lenses differ in terms of the power needed.  It sounds like you hit a bull's eye with your first implant (20/15 vision!), so try to get that info for your doctor.  BTW, setting both eyes for distance is what many (most?) people prefer.  (And there'd be no possibility of impaired depth perception.)  There are many choices of bifocal/multifocal contacts, which should give you good vision at all distances.  (Or you could try wearing a contact lens in just one eye, which would give you reversible monovision.)  Best of luck!

[phatpat]

I sincerely thank both the Doctor and JodieJ for their comments. I think that another trip back to my Doctor is called for. I'll ask him about the dominant eye. Your comment, Jodie got me thinking about the possibility of having distance in both eyes and experimenting with a contact that is slightly near-sighted for intermediate work. My surgery is scheduled for next week, so I'd better make a decision soon. By the way, my Doctor wanted to know the exact lens that was put in my left eye, so that he could use the same. Is this absolutely necessary? From what I read on these posts, many have different kinds of lenses in both eyes.

[Forum-OD-MP]

you cannot assume that you are right-eye-dominant just b/c you are right handed.  although you're right...statistically most right handed people are in fact right eye dominant.  but its a SIMPLE and very quick test to find out.  ask your doc.  i'm sure he/she knows or can quickly find out if you are right eye dominant or left eye dominant.

it is true that most people prefer their dominant eye to be the distance-vision eye in monovision.  that certainly does not mean you can have your left eye be the distance eye, however.

depth of field and halos are both legit concerns.  dont know if driving at nite would be okay for you or not.