What is induced monovision? (Posted: jan 2005)

Induced monovision is a way some patients describe a situation where surgery unexpectedly and undesireably results in one eye being somewhat near(short)sighted while the other is fully corrected. In other words, the patient didn't want a monovision treatment but got one anyway.

How does induced monovision happen? (posted: jan 2005)

In a near(short-)sighted patient, monovision will occur if one eye is undercorrected or regresses while the appropriate correction is achieved in the other eye. In a far(long-)sighted patient, monovision will occur if one eye is overcorrected. See undercorrection, overcorrection and regression for more discussion of the reasons this occurs.

What does induced monovision mean for the patient? (posted: jan 2005)

To some patients, induced monovision (even if unexpected and undesired) may be perfectly acceptable. To others it will mean they need to continue wearing corrective lenses (lens, rather, for the one eye). The patients who will be most troubled by induced monovision are those whose dominant eye was undercorrected.

How is it diagnosed? (posted: Jan 2005)

Standard refraction examination (the "better 1 or better 2?" test).

How is it treated? (posted: jan 2005)

Some patients may be able to adapt to the monovision. If the imbalance is small, glasses may correct it to the patient's satisfaction. If the imbalance is larger, or the undercorrected eye is the dominant eye, the patient may only achieve acceptable vision through using a contact lens on one eye.

Where can I get more information about monovision? (posted: jan 2005)

See the listings for monovision and induced monovision in our Encyclopedia, where there may be additional information and links.