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The Mono-vision Myth
With baby boomers surpassing their mid forties, the bifocal issue has arisen in large numbers. Some do not like bifocals with or without a line and contact lens bifocals are difficult to fit and are always compromised.
One answer is mono-vision in contact lenses or LASIK. The dominate eye, is designed for driving and the other for reading - a modification of the antiquated monocle. This resolves the cosmetic problem of bifocals, the need to switch between two glasses, and difficult to fit compromised contact lenses. That sounds great, but are there problems?
 flight 554
First, is it safe? The FAA does not think so, and will not let pilots fly with mono-vision because of the reduction in depth perception that affects 100% of mono-vision patients. The October 19,1996 Delta Airlines Flight 554 crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York has been attributed to the pilot's mono vision.
Are mono-vision doctors trained in binocular vision (the use of two eyes working together)? Either they are not trained or are ignoring basic physiology which they were taught in college. No doctor trained in binocular vision would recommend mono-vision except in the rare case of individuals who already only use only one eye at a time and can't be helped with vision therapy. That lack of training can lead to the wrong eye designated for driving. Not everyone who is right handed is right eye dominant, so a dominance test must be conducted.
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What could happen to those who are prescribed mono-vision? All are an automobile accident waiting to happen. For mono-vision to work a person must suppress one eye. Thus, information will be missed (not good for work, sports, or study). Fatigue and nausea in reading may take place. Comprehension will be reduced. Sports skills will diminish or one will have to work harder to achieve the same level. Irritability is likely. Headaches and stomach aches may show. They may become strong willed and or argumentative. One eye may follow the direction of the mono-vision and a stronger prescription may be needed. Oh, yes, 3-D movies are out. Even if mono-vision is dis-continued vision therapy may be necessary to get the eyes to work as a team again. See Judy's story in success stories
If you or anyone you know has been prescribed mono-vision, reach Dr. Henshaw as soon as possible and get on the road to efficient comfortable vision
If you or anyone you know has been prescribed mono-vision, reach Dr. Henshaw as soon as possible and get on the road to efficient comfortable vision
The hypocrisy of mono vision
When we reach our mid forties, as a normal process, we lose our ability to focus our eyes for reading. Thus, we need reading glasses. The condition is called presbyopia. Yet, what does that have to do with mono vision, you ask? Let’s follow an imaginary patient called Susie and Dr. Fred.
When we reach our mid forties, as a normal process, we lose our ability to focus our eyes for reading. Thus, we need reading glasses. The condition is called presbyopia. Yet, what does that have to do with mono vision, you ask? Let’s follow an imaginary patient called Susie and Dr. Fred.
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As a teenager, Susie developed a habit of using the right eye to read and the left to view the Promethean (digital chalk board for the older generation). This condition is called anisometropia (one eye has a stronger prescription than the other). Doctor Fred fits Susie with a contact lens for the right eye which is nearsighted to read. Doctor Fred believes that gives her the all-important binocular vision to do better in the classroom and drive. He chose the contact lens because glasses with the right lens with a nearsighted prescription and the left with none, would create discomfort. This is acceptable standard treatment.
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Now fast forward to Susie in her mid forties and the peak earning period of her career. She now because of the natural presbyopia discussed earlier, can’t see her computer screen clearly. She goes to Doctor Fred, who forgetting all he pontificated when Susie was a teenager about binocular vision, removes the right contact lens creating mono vision