Readers vs. Prescription Glasses vs. Monovision LASIK

Aging gracefully has its perks, like wisdom, experience, and a deeper appreciation for good coffee. But even with these benefits, reading a menu or whipping through a good book may also start to become an arm-stretching contest. If you’re over 40 and have to hold reading materials at arm’s length or position your phone at odd angles just to see the words on the screen, chances are you’re experiencing the age-related vision condition known as presbyopia.

Even people who have previously enjoyed clear vision or who have had vision correction procedures like LASIK are not immune to presbyopia. As inevitable as wrinkles on the skin, your eyes’ natural lenses harden as you age, making it more difficult to see things close up. Fortunately, unlike wrinkles, there are a few very simple (and effective) ways to deal with presbyopia, including readers, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and monovision LASIK.

At 20/20 Institute, we understand that every eye is different, and we believe in giving our patients the power of informed choice. Our team of LASIK specialists is here to listen to your vision goals, discuss your options, and help you find the solution that best aligns with your lifestyle. We want to help you see the world around you—menus, text messages, and all—with confidence, convenience, and clarity.

Contact Us for a FREE Monovision LASIK Evaluation

Call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 to schedule a FREE monovision LASIK consultation at any of our four Colorado locations—Westminster, Downtown Denver, Englewood, or Colorado Springs—to learn how we can help your eyes see clearly again.

Eyeglasses for Presbyopia: Readers vs. Prescription Glasses

When it comes to presbyopia, you have two types of eyeglasses to consider:

Readers

These are the “grab-and-go” spectacles you can find at most drugstores. They come in a variety of magnification strengths, and many people love them for their convenience (and sometimes even stylish frames). Readers can be helpful if your distance vision is still sharp, but you need a little boost for up-close tasks like reading labels or scrolling your phone. Readers are relatively inexpensive, which makes it less of an issue if they are broken or misplaced.

Prescription Eyeglasses

If your near vision issues are more significant—or if you also have distance vision challenges—prescription glasses provide custom correction for your unique eyes. An eye exam can pinpoint the exact strength you need for each eye, ensuring crisp vision at distances near, far, and anywhere in between. This option can also incorporate progressive lenses, so you don’t have to swap between reading and distance glasses. Prescription glasses tend to be more pricey than readers and often demand more attentive care.

Do I Have to Wear Glasses?

Readers and prescription glasses can help you adjust to the challenges of presbyopia. However, both options are still eyeglasses, which means they must be carried everywhere they may be needed, stored appropriately when not in use, cleaned regularly, and, due to fashion or prescription changes, may need to be updated frequently. This is, obviously, not a great fit for people leading an active Colorado lifestyle.

Some people over 40 try contact lenses to correct their vision for both distance and near. Colorado is an unforgiving high altitude (less oxygen than sea level) and dry environment when it comes to successful contact lens wear.

At 20/20 Institute, we understand the burdens eyeglasses and contact lenses place on everyday living. We are pleased to offer a selection of vision correction surgeries that can help you find increased freedom from prescription eyewear. During your FREE vision correction consultation, we will help you determine if glasses or a surgical alternative might be better for your particular needs.

Monovision LASIK vs. Eyeglasses

For those who aren’t thrilled about having to constantly search for or maintain glasses and/or contacts, vision correction surgery might be a better fit. Monovision LASIK, in particular, is designed for this specific issue.

Unlike the traditional LASIK procedure, where both eyes are corrected for the same distance power, with monovision LASIK, one eye is corrected primarily for distance vision while the other is set to see more clearly up close. Your brain then learns to toggle between the two, which can greatly improve vision and reduce the need for readers and prescription glasses.

Monovision LASIK is intended to give you functional near and far vision without the need to constantly swap out glasses. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some people adapt seamlessly to monovision, while others prefer the simplicity of putting on readers only when needed. That’s why we always recommend a thorough evaluation and sometimes even a “test drive” with monovision contacts to gauge comfort and effectiveness.

Prioritizing your safety and satisfaction is part of the exceptional patient care you can expect from 20/20 Institute. We want to make sure you are both a good candidate and confident in your decision to have monovision LASIK.

Will I Still Need Readers After Monovision LASIK?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Will monovision LASIK completely eliminate the need for reading glasses? It depends on the patient’s age and reading demand, but not necessarily. The goal of monovision LASIK is to lessen the need for readers long term. It is not designed to fully eliminate the need for reading glasses as the patient ages. While many of our patients find they use glasses less (or not at all) after monovision LASIK, some still prefer an occasional pair of readers for ultra-fine print or extended reading sessions, especially in low-light settings.

Age, individual eye health, and personal comfort all play a role in how well monovision LASIK works for you. Our doctors will discuss realistic expectations and help determine if monovision LASIK aligns with your lifestyle. We are fully committed to giving you transparent, straightforward guidance so you can make an informed decision.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Monovision LASIK?

Being a good candidate for monovision LASIK involves more than just wanting to reduce dependence on reading glasses. Things that impact your candidacy include:

• Vision Stability. Your prescription shouldn’t be changing dramatically from year to year.
• Healthy Corneas. We’ll check for adequate corneal thickness and overall eye health.
• Lifestyle Factors. If your job or hobbies demand razor-sharp near or distance vision, we’ll discuss how monovision might impact that.
• Adaptability. Some people adjust to monovision quickly, while others need more time or find it challenging.

Our Denver LASIK doctors are conservative in their evaluations of LASIK candidates, utilizing advanced diagnostics to ensure vision correction is the right fit. During your FREE monovision LASIK evaluation, we will examine your eyes, discuss how you use your vision day-to-day, and guide you toward the best solution for your vision needs.

Let 20/20 Institute Help You See the World More Clearly

At 20/20 Institute, we love providing customized vision solutions for patients in Denver, Colorado Springs, and nearby communities. Our team is passionate about helping you explore your options and dedicated to guiding you toward the solution that will help you achieve your goals. Open, communicative, and attentive, we will provide you with the personalized attention you need to feel confident in every step of the decision-making process.

When you walk into our office for your no-wait visit, you will meet a team of dedicated LASIK professionals ready to answer your questions, address your concerns, and explore the benefits and limitations of treatments for presbyopia. We’re here to empower you to make the best choice for your vision—without pushy sales tactics or weird guilt trips—so you can achieve the clear vision you deserve.

Schedule Your FREE Monovision LASIK Evaluation Today!

Curious whether monovision LASIK could help you keep those readers tucked away more often? Contact 20/20 Institute online or call us at 303-202-0669 to schedule your FREE monovision LASIK evaluation. We’ll help you explore all of your presbyopia treatment options and guide you toward the solution that fits your eyes, lifestyle, and budget. With offices in Westminster, LoDo, the DTC, and Colorado Springs, we welcome patients from surrounding communities and throughout the Rocky Mountain region.