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Monovision still has a place in correction of presbyopia
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 Graham Barrett |
VIENNA, Austria — Monovision LASIK or PRK may still be the most feasible, safe and effective option to correct presbyopia, according to one speaker here.
Surgeons who deal with presbyopia correction cannot rely on a perfect solution. Instead, there is a complex decision-making process in which they have to consider the relative importance of factors such as spectacle independence, depth of focus and quality of vision in regards to individual patient satisfaction, Graham Barrett, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
Monovision is a simple method, but it was often blamed for not giving complete spectacle independence, for affecting stereoacuity and for causing adaptation problems.
According to Dr. Barrett, however, most problems arose with an old concept of monovision, in which a correction of more than -2 D was made. He thinks correction should not exceed -1.5 D, and he personally aims at "modest monovision," setting the limit at -1.25 D.
"This avoids asthenopia and preserves contrast and stereoacuity," he said.
"Results are highly predictable. We are able to meet patient expectations, and very rarely patients are dissatisfied," Dr. Barrett said. "Compared to multifocal IOLs, we might not have the same degree of spectacle independence, but on the other hand, we don't have the problems of multifocal IOLs, often resulting in IOL explantation."
- Disclosures: Dr. Barrett has no relevant financial disclosures.