Presbyopic patients still happy with monovision, surgeon says

GOIANIA, Brazil — Presbyopic monovision correction is still a good choice despite other available options, a surgeon said here at the International Congress of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

"When using the monovision technique, it is important to take the patient's occupation into consideration," said Doraldo Nassar, MD, clinical director of Nassar Institute of Ophthalmology in São Paulo, Brazil. "Most of the patient's activities should be performed in an office or at home. I don't recommend this technique for professional drivers, for example, or people who have many activities at night."

He studied 480 eyes of 280 patients ranging in age from 38 to 60 years; 58% of patients had myopia between 1 D and 6 D, and 42% had hyperopia between 1 D and 4 D. Most patients (78%) had associated astigmatism of 2 D of cylinder or less. Of the myopic patients, 90% obtained visual acuity of 20/25 or better, as did 75% of the hyperopic patients.

Dr. Nassar said it is important to explain to patients that one eye will have better acuity than the other and to warn them not to compare the different visual acuities. Patients should be made aware that what matters is the resulting binocular vision, which will be useful in daily activities such as reading a menu or a price tag, working on the computer and using a cell phone.

"In light of patients' satisfaction, I continue to use the monovision technique confidently," Dr. Nassar said.