Written by Manuel Chaknis, M.D.

Presbyopia is the natural aging process we all develop somewhere between our late 30s and early 50s. This happens to everyone, regardless of whether they have had eye surgeries. In this age range, many people either start wearing reading glasses or change their single-vision glasses. For example, they may have only needed to wear glasses for distance, but now they must wear bifocal glasses to see at distance and up close.

How To Deal With Presbyopia

Presbyopia can be dealt with in several ways:

  1. Reading glasses
  2. Bifocal glasses
  3. Wearing a contact lens in one eye for better near vision
  4. Bifocal contact lenses
  5. Intraocular lens surgery

What is intraocular lens surgery? 

Intraocular lens surgery is the removal of our natural clear lens, replacing it with a man-made plastic lens. This is similar to cataract surgery, except the natural lens is still clear, not cloudy like a cataract. This is also called refractive lens exchange (RLE) or clear lens exchange (CLE) surgery.

Laser Vision Correction

If you are considering laser vision correction and are least in your late 30s, then you need to consider how you want to do this. There are 2 options: 

  1. Distance correction in both eyes
  2. Blended vision (also called monovision)

Check out our detailed comparison on these two options for more information!

Most patients choose to have both eyes corrected for distance. This gives you excellent uncorrected vision for driving, watching TV and movies, going to ball games, and more. If you’re more concerned about seeing up close to read and use computers, you can buy inexpensive ($1- $20) reading glasses at dollar stores, retail stores, buyers’ club stores, and more.

The blended vision option isn’t as popular for patients who are in their late 30s and older. One eye (your dominant eye) is corrected for distance, and the other (non-dominant) eye is corrected for near. Both eyes work together to give you good distance and good near vision simultaneously. This is different from correcting distance in both eyes, where you have excellent distance vision and fair to poor near vision. 

Helpful tips for blended vision correction

So, blended vision is a compromise and a good option for people who want this blend of far and near correction. As previously mentioned, it’s good but not always excellent. You may still require greater vision for certain tasks, such as driving at night or long periods of time up-close on the computer. In these circumstances, what can you buy to help improve your vision?”

Lucky for you, there is a great, easy, inexpensive ($35-$50 each) helper for blended vision patients —Spare-Specs. Take some time and look at their website. They offer glasses for part-time/specific use to correct both eyes either for distance or near at the same time, as well as sunglass options to help with daytime use. You can keep your distance Spare-Specs pair in your car for driving if needed. Likewise, have your near Spare-Specs handy for when you need them. Most people who have blended vision laser vision correction do not need them, but they are a great helper for those who want or need some help with certain vision tasks.

It’s the right time for clearer vision

Contact us to discuss your treatment options and schedule an appointment today!

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