Monovision is a personalised vision correction approach where one eye is optimised for distance and the other for near vision. The brain learns to use both eyes together, helping reduce dependence on reading glasses while maintaining functional vision across a range of everyday activities.
Monovision is a vision correction approach where each eye is given a different focusing point. Typically, the dominant eye is optimised for clear distance vision, while the eye is adjusted to provide better near or intermediate vision for tasks such as reading.
The initial difference in focus between the two eyes often feels unfamiliar. However, over time, the brain learns to adapt by favouring the clearer image from whichever eye is best focused for the distance being viewed. This allows both eyes to work together to provide a practical range of vision without switching between different pairs of glasses.
Before permanent monovision correction, eye dominance and visual requirements are assessed carefully. A monovision contact lens trial is also commonly used to stimulate the intended result and determine how well the visual system adapts.
Monovision can be incorporated into several vision correction procedures, including FemtoLASIK, SMILE Pro 2.0, SafeSight Transepithelial PRK, and EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL). Each eye is corrected to a different visual target, with the treatment planned according to your desired balance of distance, intermediate, and near vision.
Before treatment, monovision can be simulated with contact lenses to assess how comfortably you adapt to the planned visual targets.
There is no single vision correction option that is best for everyone. We will assess your prescription, corneal shape and thickness, eye health, lifestyle, and visual needs before recommending the treatment most suited to you.
| FemtoLASIK | SMILE Pro 2.0 | SafeSight Transepithelial PRK | EVO ICL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | A thin corneal flap is created before the cornea is reshaped with a laser | Flapless procedure where a lenticule is removed through a small corneal incision | Flapless surface laser treatment | A lens is implanted between the iris and natural lens |
| Procedure Time (per eye) | 10 to 15 minutes | 3 to 5 minutes | 3 to 5 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Correction | Myopia, hyperopia & astigmatism | Myopia & astigmatism | Myopia, hyperopia & astigmatism | Myopia, hyperopia & astigmatism |
| Downtime | 2 to 3 days | 2 to 3 days | 5 days | 2 to 3 days |
From your initial suitability assessment to treatment and structured aftercare, we guide you through every stage of your vision correction journey. Each step is carefully planned around your eyes, prescription and visual goals, so you know exactly what to expect before, during and after your procedure.
Your journey begins with a comprehensive assessment of your vision, prescription and overall eye health. Detailed measurements allow us to understand the shape and structure of your eyes and determine which vision correction options are suitable for you.
If you wear contact lenses, they will need to be stopped before your assessment so that your measurements are as accurate as possible:
We will review your results together with your visual needs, lifestyle and expectations, and discuss the treatment options that are suitable for your eyes. This allows you to understand the benefits, limitations and expected visual outcome of each option before deciding how you would like to proceed.
Your suitability assessment and vision correction procedure are performed on separate days, allowing your measurements to be carefully reviewed and your treatment to be planned for your individual eyes.
Vision correction can involve reshaping the cornea with laser treatment or implanting a lens within the eye, depending on the treatment selected during your suitability assessment.
Before your procedure, we will provide clear instructions on how to prepare, including any medications or eye drops that are required. We will also explain what to expect during treatment, your aftercare and any temporary activity restrictions during recovery.
All of our vision correction procedures are performed as day surgery. Anaesthetic eye drops are used to keep your eyes comfortable, with additional sedation used for selected lens-based procedures.
The exact steps and treatment time differ between procedures, but you will be guided through each stage so that you know what is happening throughout your treatment. You should arrange for someone to accompany you home afterwards, as you will not be able to drive immediately after your procedure.
Your vision will usually be blurred or fluctuate immediately after treatment as your eyes begin to recover. The degree of blurring and how quickly your vision improves depends on the type of vision correction procedure performed.
Your eyes can also feel watery, gritty, sensitive to light or mildly uncomfortable during the early recovery period. For lens-based procedures, it is also normal for vision to take some time to settle as the eye heals and adapts.
You will begin your prescribed eye drops after treatment and receive clear instructions on caring for your eyes at home. Resting your eyes, avoiding rubbing them and following your medication schedule are important during the early stages of recovery.
Your follow-up appointments allow us to assess your vision, examine how your eyes are healing and ensure that your recovery is progressing as expected.
Visual recovery differs between procedures. Some treatments provide rapid improvement within the first few days, while others require a longer period for vision to stabilise fully. We will explain the expected recovery timeline for your chosen procedure before treatment.
Caring for Your Eyes After Vision Correction
Our team remains available throughout your vision correction journey should you have any questions or concerns before or after your procedure.
Enjoy greater freedom across distance and near vision with a monovision approach tailored to your everyday needs. Monovision is one approach to reducing reliance on reading glasses as near vision comes with age.
Book a consultation with us to assess whether monovision suits your eyes, lifestyle, and visual needs.
When each eye is tested separately, the near-focused eye will not see distance as sharply as the distance-focused eye. With both eyes open, the brain combines the information from the two eyes, so successful monovision feels very different from simply walking around with one blurry eye.
It feels unusual initially for some patients because the eyes are no longer focused identically. The visual system then adapts to using the clearer image for the distance you are looking at. Patients who remain uncomfortable with this difference are not good candidates for permanent monovision.
Yes. We offer a contact lens trial where appropriate so you experience the intended distance and near balance before committing to permanent correction. This is particularly valuable if you have never experienced monovision before.
We do not proceed on the assumption that everyone will adapt. If the trial shows that you are uncomfortable with monovision, we reassess the visual targets or recommend a different approach to presbyopia correction.
Adjustment is different for every patient. The important factor is whether your vision becomes comfortable for real-world tasks such as reading, screen use, walking and driving, rather than reaching a particular number of adaptation days.
The dominant eye is usually prioritised for distance and the other eye for nearer vision. We confirm this during your assessment and, where appropriate, test the planned arrangement before permanent treatment.
Yes. The near eye is deliberately targeted to focus closer rather than being fully corrected for distance. The amount of short-sightedness is planned rather than simply leaving the eye at its existing prescription.
The distance-focused eye is targeted for clear distance vision. Overall distance vision with both eyes open remains functional for suitable patients, although it does not feel identical to having both eyes corrected purely for distance.
The near target is chosen around the distances most important to you, such as your phone, reading material or computer. Stronger near correction gives greater close-up focus but also creates a larger difference between the two eyes, so we balance near vision against overall visual comfort.
Monovision is designed to reduce reliance on reading glasses, not guarantee complete freedom from them. Glasses are still useful for very fine print, prolonged close work or other visually demanding tasks in some patients.
These are exactly the types of working distances we consider when planning the near eye. Your phone sits closer than a computer screen, so the target is selected according to which distances matter most in your daily routine.
Many suitable patients drive comfortably with monovision, but low-light conditions make the difference between the two eyes more noticeable. Monovision reduces visual quality and depth perception to some degree, and some patients prefer distance glasses for demanding night driving.
Visual effort or discomfort during adaptation tells us that the balance between the eyes needs attention. Persistent symptoms are not something we expect you to simply tolerate, and we reassess the correction if your vision remains uncomfortable.
Monovision reduces fine depth perception because the two eyes are focused differently. Most everyday activities remain comfortable in well-adapted patients, but tasks requiring very precise distance judgement deserve particular consideration before permanent treatment.
No. Monovision works very well for some people and remains uncomfortable for others. This is why suitability assessment and a trial where appropriate are more important than assuming that the brain will eventually adapt.
Being comfortable with monovision contact lenses is a very useful indication that you tolerate different focusing targets between the eyes. We still assess your prescription, eye health and suitability for the procedure being considered before planning permanent correction.
Wearing progressive lenses shows that you already require different focusing powers for different distances, but it does not tell us whether you will enjoy monovision. Progressive lenses change focus depending on where you look through the lens, while monovision gives the two eyes different focusing targets continuously.
Yes. Astigmatism is treated as part of the overall refractive correction, while the two eyes are given different distance and near targets. Laser vision correction treats myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, and lens-based treatment also offers astigmatism-correcting IOL options.
The correction itself is intended to be long-lasting, but monovision does not stop the natural lens from ageing. Prescription changes and progression of presbyopia still occur while the natural lens remains in the eye.
After laser-based monovision, presbyopia continues to progress because the natural lens remains in place and continues to lose focusing flexibility. The near correction that works well today therefore requires review as your visual needs change with age.
Further correction is possible in suitable eyes, but it is not automatically necessary or appropriate for everyone. We reassess your prescription, eye health, age and natural lens before deciding whether adjusting the existing correction or moving to a lens-based solution is the better option.
The options depend on how the monovision was created. Contact lens monovision is straightforward to reverse by changing the lenses; after permanent vision correction, we first reassess the eyes before determining whether further treatment to change the focusing target is appropriate.
Previous monovision does not prevent cataract treatment. When cataract surgery eventually becomes necessary, we reassess your visual preferences and decide whether to preserve a similar distance-near balance or use a different lens strategy. Previous laser vision correction is also taken into account when calculating the IOL power.
Yes. Monovision is a focusing strategy rather than a single procedure. With laser vision correction, the two eyes are treated to different refractive targets. With RLE, the IOL power and focusing target in each eye are planned differently to create a similar distance-near balance.
We base this on your age, prescription, corneal anatomy, eye health, natural lens and visual priorities. Laser vision correction preserves the natural lens and is generally more relevant while that lens remains clear and flexible. RLE replaces the natural lens and becomes increasingly relevant as presbyopia and age-related lens changes progress.
