Understanding Monovision LASIK

LASIK has accomplished some amazing things for people’s vision. For example, if you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism, LASIK may be able to eliminate or drastically reduce your eyeglass prescription.

These three conditions are what cause most people to have blurry vision, and they’re caused by the shape of the cornea (the clear part on the front of the eye and where a contact lens sits) in relation to the length of the eyeball.

If the cornea is too steep or too flat (or a combination of both), it won’t properly focus light on the back of the eye, where vision is processed. If the cornea doesn’t match the shape or size of the eye, blurry distance vision is likely. It’s like having a camera that’s out of focus…the picture will turn out blurry if the light isn’t properly focused.

What about close-up vision? As time goes by, why do some people wear “readers” or “bifocal glasses” to see a phone screen, computer monitor, or other things we need to see up close?

Blurry Vision? 20/20 Institute Is Here to Help

At 20/20 Institute, we understand that dealing with reading glasses or bifocals can be a real hassle—particularly for people living an active Colorado lifestyle. If you’ve started to notice that your near vision isn’t what it used to be, but lugging around glasses has become a chore, it’s time to consider monovision LASIK as a potential option. This highly effective, custom LASIK procedure is ideal for people experiencing age-related vision loss and is often capable of greatly reducing dependence on prescription glasses and readers.

To schedule a FREE monovision LASIK evaluation, call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 today. We have offices in Colorado Springs, the Denver Tech Center, Lower Downtown Denver, and Westminster. We welcome monovision LASIK patients from all areas of the state.

Presbyopia Explained: Why Reading Up-Close Gets Harder Over Time

We all experience changes in our vision as we age. By your early to mid-40s, you might notice that focusing on nearby objects—like your phone screen—becomes more challenging. This is due to presbyopia, a natural and gradual process that occurs in everyone.

There’s a tiny lens inside each eye, just behind the colored iris. In your younger years, it’s remarkably flexible. Think about a dodgeball. When you hold one, it’s almost perfectly round. The moment it hits a wall, however, it flattens out. Your eyes’ lens works similarly, rounding up to help you see things up close and flattening out to focus on distant objects.

Triggered by signals from your brain to engage the muscles around the lens, your eye naturally shifts between shapes. Over time, though, the lens begins losing its elasticity and starts getting “stuck” in the flatter shape. This is like a dodgeball that can no longer spring back. That’s why, as you reach your 40s, you may catch yourself holding reading materials at arm’s length or relying on readers to magnify what your natural lens can no longer handle.

Presbyopia doesn’t set in overnight. Its progress is slow and continuous. Traditional custom LASIK reshapes the cornea, not the lens, so it cannot reverse presbyopia. That doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

If you’re considering LASIK and have presbyopia, that might leave you with a few options:

1. Correct Both Eyes for Distance. You’d enjoy clearer distance vision, then use reading glasses whenever you need to see up close.
2. Monovision LASIK. Also called “blended vision,” this approach adjusts one eye primarily for distance vision and the other for near tasks, giving you functional vision at both ranges.

The LASIK specialists at 20/20 Institute have decades of experience and a proven track record of successful procedures, making us one of Colorado’s top LASIK providers. During your FREE LASIK evaluation, we will carefully assess the structure of your eyes, discuss all of your vision correction options, and help you choose which method will be ideal for your specific needs.

Monovision LASIK: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Monovision LASIK is a specific approach to laser vision correction in which one eye is optimized for distance vision and the other eye is adjusted for up-close tasks. Your brain is incredibly adaptable. Over the first few weeks of having the monovision procedure, as you become accustomed to the difference between the eyes, your need to wear prescription eyeglasses or readers will be significantly reduced. This may sound strange, but it works really well for a majority of patients over the age of 40.

The concept of monovision isn’t new. The practice first gained momentum in the 1980s with contact lenses—a treatment option still available today—but has been refined and improved over the years. Now instead of reliance on corrective eyewear, advanced technology can be used to customize monovision LASIK, allowing for individualized treatments and the most effective and long-lasting results.

Why Consider Monovision LASIK?

If you’re starting to notice the telltale signs of presbyopia—like blurred text on your phone screen—monovision LASIK could help. This specialized approach to custom LASIK can help you handle both distance and near tasks with greater ease, without constantly reaching for glasses or having to maintain contact lenses.

Here are three good reasons to consider monovision LASIK at 20/20 Institute:

1. Convenience. When you’re on the go—no matter if that’s heading for coffee or heading to the high country—keeping track of your glasses (and sometimes multiple pairs!) is cumbersome and annoying. Monovision LASIK can reduce the frequency with which you require lenses, giving you much more freedom to enjoy your daily life.
2. Customization. At 20/20 Institute, we always provide a customized treatment plan. We’ll take detailed measurements to ensure your surgery is designed around your specific needs, so you can feel confident about the care you are receiving.
3. Results. Monovision techniques have been around for decades and modern custom LASIK technology has made them even more precise. Many people who opt for monovision LASIK achieve functional vision for near tasks while maintaining clear distance vision. This balance makes every day life easier.

Learn more about our proven results: 99.67% of our LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better!* Dedicated to full transparency, we happily make our outcomes available on our website for all the world to see.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Monovision LASIK?

While many people can benefit from monovision LASIK, certain factors make you more or less likely to be a good candidate. These include:

• Prescription Stability. Your current prescription shouldn’t have changed significantly in the past year.
• Age & Presbyopia. Monovision LASIK is often considered by people 40 and older who are beginning to struggle with close-up tasks.
• Healthy Eyes. Any eye conditions, like cataracts or severe dry eye, need to be evaluated first.
• Systemic Health. You must be generally healthy and free of systemic health conditions, such as systemic health autoimmune diseases or diabetes.
• Adaptation Ability. Not everyone’s brain easily adapts to monovision. We may suggest trying monovision contacts first to see if you’re comfortable with the difference between eyes.

20/20 Institute is known for our conservative candidacy criteria. We want to make sure that the procedures we perform are truly in the best interest of our patients. When you come to one of our convenient locations for your FREE monovision LASIK consultation, we can discuss additional options, including PRK, SMILE, and RLE, to help you decide on the right treatment option.

Potential Limitations and Considerations

No procedure is one-size-fits-all. Although many patients adapt well to monovision LASIK, there are a few important considerations:

• Because each eye is focusing at different distances, you might notice subtle shifts in your depth perception.
• You may still need glasses or contacts in certain situations, such as prolonged reading or driving at night.
• Your brain can take days or even weeks to fully adjust to monovision.

We prioritize transparency. When discussing your vision correction options, we will disclose the benefits and potential limitations of each. We want to make sure the decision you make for your vision correction will continue to give you clearer vision for years to come.

The Exceptional Patient Experience at 20/20 Institute

When you’re considering LASIK in Colorado Springs or Denver, you have dozens of choices. We stand above the crowd. Local, doctor-owned, and independent, we have made it our goal to make each patient a partner in their vision journey. Our entire LASIK care team works to form lasting relationships with each person we see, striving to ensure optimal comfort from initial consultation through your follow-up care, and beyond.

With us, you can expect:

• Compassionate Care. We know you may have a few jitters. We have thoughtfully designed our offices to be comfortable, welcoming, and inviting. During your no-wait office visits, we will encourage you to ask all of your questions and share any concerns. We want you to feel confident and at ease during each step.
• Comprehensive Evaluation. From assessing corneal shape to checking overall eye health, our LASIK doctors gather all of the information needed to customize your procedure. Our approach includes state-of-the-art diagnostic testing to ensure your procedure is tailored to your exact vision needs.
• Open Dialogue and Education. We’ll explain every step of the process—from how custom LASIK technology works to what you can expect during recovery—so you’re never left guessing. Our doctors and your personal LASIK counselor will walk you through possible outcomes, answer all of your questions, and help you make informed decisions about your care.
• Comfort and Support. Our staff focuses on keeping you comfortable, ensuring you understand what is happening, and guiding you through each phase of your procedure. We provide a calm and supportive environment, but if you feel particularly nervous, let us know. We take every possible care to accommodate the needs of each patient we see.

When you choose 20/20 Institute, our commitment to your happiness doesn’t end after you leave our office. We stay in touch through follow-up visits, phone calls, and routine check-ins to make sure your recovery is on track. We even provide you with direct access to our doctors 24/7/365 via their cell phones. To us, you’re so much more than a medical file, you’re a part of our family, and we can’t wait to help you see the world more clearly.

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Contact Us in Colorado Springs or Denver for a FREE Monovision LASIK Evaluation

To schedule your FREE monovision LASIK evaluation at our Colorado Springs, Englewood, LoDo, or Westminster office, contact 20/20 Institute online or call us at 303-202-0669 today. We serve Golden, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, and all surrounding Rocky Mountain communities.