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9. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MONOVISION WEARER
Monovision:
a treatment technique often prescribed for people age 40 and over who have
presbyopia. Presbyopia occurs as part of the natural aging process. The eye’s crystalline lens loses
its ability to bring close objects into clear focus. Monovision means wearing a contact lens for near
vision on one eye and, if needed, a lens for distance vision on the other eye.
The decision to be fit with a monovision correction is made by careful consideration and discussion of
your needs with your eye care practitioner.
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You should be aware that there are advantages and tradeoffs to monovision contact lens correction.
The benefit of clear near vision in straight ahead and upward gaze available with monovision, may
be accompanied by a reduction in your visual acuity and depth perception for distance and near
tasks. Some patients experience difficulty adapting to monovision.. Symptoms, such as mild blurred
vision, dizziness, headaches and a feeling of slight imbalance, may last for a brief minute or for
several weeks as adaptation takes place. The longer these symptoms persist, the poorer your
prognosis for successful adaptation. You should avoid visually demanding situations during the initial
adaptation period. It is recommended that you first wear these contact lenses in familiar situations,
which are not visually demanding. For example, it might be better to be a passenger rather than a
driver of an automobile during the first few days of monovision lens wear. It is recommended that you
only drive with monovision correction if you pass your state drivers license requirements with
monovision correction.
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Some monovision patients will never be fully comfortable functioning under low levels of lighting, such
as driving at night. If this happens, you may want to discuss with your eye care practitioner having
additional contact lenses prescribed so that both eyes are corrected for distance when sharp distance
binocular vision is required.
If you require very sharp near vision during prolonged close work, you may want to have additional
contact lenses prescribed so that both eyes are corrected for near when sharp near binocular vision
is required.
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Some monovision patients require supplemental glasses to wear over the monovision correction to
provide the clearest vision for critical tasks. You should discuss this with your eye care practitioner.
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It is important that you follow your eye care practitioner's suggestions for adaptation to monovision
contact lens therapy. You should discuss any concerns that you may have during and after the
adaptation period.
