If you are interested in having the best vision without glasses, please feel free to make an appointment with Dr. Breyer for a non-binding individual consultation or preliminary examination. You can make an appointment by phone, e-mail, WhatsApp or our appointment app. We are also happy to call you back. We are looking forward to your message.
Alternating vision for presbyopia - the monovision principle
(image: monovision-4-en-thumb.png link: monovision-4-en.svg class: align-right lightbox alt: Illustration of the Monovision concept)
To compensate for the accommodation capability of the natural lens declining with increasing age and enabling clear sight both close up and at a distance, monovision treatment can be performed for patients with presbyopia. However, it is not suitable for everyone.
In monovision treatment, in Germany also referred to as "Goetheblick" [Goethe vision], one eye is optimized for long-distance vision and the other for short-distance vision. This perspective which is unusual for most people is first simulated by contact lenses to ensure that you are able to handle it well. We are performing this treatment using a state-of-the-art eye laser procedure: ReLEx® smile. We have had better experiences with blended vision with which both eyes are able to see clearly at a medium distance.
What’s precious to you belongs in good hands
Monovision must be considered carefully
In monovision, the dominant eye is set for long-distance vision, and the other eye is optimized for short-distance vision for myopia of approx. -0.5 to -1.5 diopters. To avoid impairment of stereoscopic visions, the difference between both eyes should not be more than 1.5 diopters. Nevertheless, it can be better to wear some weak glasses for the slightly short-sighted eye during some activities, for example while driving.
Monovision is also called "Goetheblick" because Goethe was born with this special type of vision. If it is only created at a later stage in life with the onset of presbyopia, it is possible that the brain is no longer able to combine the different information from both eyes correctly. In this case, stereoscopic vision is impaired. About 60% of the patients can handle the difference between both eyes well in their daily life; 40% have problems handling it. Therefore, a test is usually performed before correcting the eyes for monovision; in it, monovision is simulated for a few hours by means of different contact lenses. If there are no signs of incompatibility during this test, the procedure can be performed with very good chances of success. However, if necessary, both eyes may be aligned with each other again by corrective surgery at a later time.
We can perform monovision by means of an innovative, minimally invasive laser treatment. Alternatively, monovision can also be achieved by placing lenses in the eye. Only after a preliminary examination, it can be decided whether monovision is an option for you. You can read more about the topic of laser eye surgery in the chapter on ReLEx® smile.
He was born with monovision: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
