Almost two years ago I went to my optometrist for a regular check-up. While there it was discovered that I was an emerging presbyopia. I had noticed some changes in my near vision and being 39, 40 in a few months; it was not that much of a shock. Since I had worn soft lens contacts for the last 25 years I wanted to continue wearing contacts. My doctor discussed the options and we decided to try the multifocal soft lens. This is where the roller coaster ride begins. In the last two years this is what we have tried to get the best possible vision for me. I know that multifocal contacts are a compromise, so don’t tell me that it is the best I am going to get.

1. Focus Multifocal
2. Acuvue Bifocal
3. B & L Multifocal
4. Monovision
5. Modified Monovision w/ B&L and Biomed
6. RGP Multifocal
In all these areas we have tried a number of prescription combinations. I either get good distance and no near or vis versa. Some I would get horrible headaches and others I just couldn’t get consistent vision. If I worked really hard to focus I would find the right field to look through. It just didn’t come naturally. RGP’s were not that bad to get use to, after 25 years in soft lens that worried me, but I adjusted just fine. I am currently wearing them now. I have had 5 different sets of these lenses. I have had a lot of problems with dry eyes, which we have been trying different materials for the lenses. I have had a couple diameter changes. I am currently up to 10mm and still get a glare and can see the edge of the lens. I feel like I am looking through a tunnel and I have a difficult time looking up or scanning a crowd to find someone. I feel the lens is going to get so dry and fall out. Is there something out there that could help me? I have tried so hard to get these contacts to work and my optometrist has been so wonderful to work with me, but I am about ready to give up and I really don’t want to give up!

My personal opinion is quit while you are ahead. Some people are simply not candidates for "Monovision".

If you continue to push the envelope and ask your brain to adapt over and over to differing visual inputs, there is a chance you are going to eventually shoot "craps" and develop intractable double vision. If that happens, you are going to wish with every fibre of your being that you had simply kept your contacts for distance and bought a pair of reading glasses for close work.

Sometimes the possible benefits are outweighed by the risks. Just my .02 cents.

My personal opinion is quit while you are ahead. Some people are simply not candidates for "Monovision".

If you continue to push the envelope and ask your brain to adapt over and over to differing visual inputs, there is a chance you are going to eventually shoot "craps" and develop intractable double vision. If that happens, you are going to wish with every fibre of your being that you had simply kept your contacts for distance and bought a pair of reading glasses for close work.

Sometimes the possible benefits are outweighed by the risks. Just my .02 cents.

I have been using a "MonoVision" prescription for about 5 years now. I tried the multifocal and bi-focal contacts but they either gave me great close vision or great distance vision. Using the "monovision" technique, I have good close vision and good distance vision. In "monovision" your dominant eye is set for distance, and the "off" eye is set for close vision. I use a Bausch & Lomb Optima FW lens. Left eye (close) BC:8.4, Power -6.00. Right eye (distance) BC:8.4 Power -7.50... I can work on the computer and I can drive and see just fine. At 53, I still need reading glasses (+1.25) to read fine print. Your statement "If you continue to push the envelope and ask your brain to adapt over and over to differing visual inputs, there is a chance you are going to eventually shoot "craps" and develop intractable double vision" just doesn't hold water!

I have been wearing glasses since I was 13 and I went to soft contacts in 1990... I will recommend "monovision" contact lens prescriptions to any one like BDcell here, who has tried all that he has tried, like me :)

BDcell,
Bausch & Lomb and all the other lens manufacturers make many types of lenses, some have a higher water content than others. For me, the medium water content types like the Optima FW are easier to handle and wear. I don't have any problems with dryness, even in climates like south central Montana... Dry as a popcorn fart! ...and cold too!

I have been using a "MonoVision" prescription for about 5 years now. I tried the multifocal and bi-focal contacts but they either gave me great close vision or great distance vision. Using the "monovision" technique, I have good close vision and good distance vision. In "monovision" your dominant eye is set for distance, and the "off" eye is set for close vision. I use a Bausch & Lomb Optima FW lens. Left eye (close) BC:8.4, Power -6.00. Right eye (distance) BC:8.4 Power -7.50... I can work on the computer and I can drive and see just fine. At 53, I still need reading glasses (+1.25) to read fine print. Your statement "If you continue to push the envelope and ask your brain to adapt over and over to differing visual inputs, there is a chance you are going to eventually shoot "craps" and develop intractable double vision" just doesn't hold water! snip....

Dr. David Guyton of Johns Hopkins ( who is considered THE authority on strabismus/double vision) published an article about a series of case studies this past year detailing the tribulations of several patients struggling with double vision after wearing monovision contacts entitled "Monovision - A Threat to Occular Alignment?". Average time to onset was over 1 year, and most patients reported sudden onset with absolutely no warning tht something was going to go wrong. I personally know someone who has developed intractable double vision in the past year after wearing monovision for over three years with no problems. She is considering waiting 10 months and traveling 3000 miles just to get a consult with Dr Guyton in the hopes that he can help her.

You notice I did say there was a CHANCE of double vision. It is totaly up to you whther or not you want to take that chance. If you feel comfortable urging others to do so based on your experience, more power to you. Based on my research and my experience with the devastation that sudden onset double vision causes, I would rather urge caution. To each his own.

snip....

Dr. David Guyton of Johns Hopkins ( who is considered THE authority on strabismus/double vision) published an article about a series of case studies this past year detailing the tribulations of several patients struggling with double vision after wearing monovision contacts entitled "Monovision - A Threat to Occular Alignment?". Average time to onset was over 1 year, and most patients reported sudden onset with absolutely no warning tht something was going to go wrong. I personally know someone who has developed intractable double vision in the past year after wearing monovision for over three years with no problems. She is considering waiting 10 months and traveling 3000 miles just to get a consult with Dr Guyton in the hopes that he can help her.

You notice I did say there was a CHANCE of double vision. It is totaly up to you whther or not you want to take that chance. If you feel comfortable urging others to do so based on your experience, more power to you. Based on my research and my experience with the devastation that sudden onset double vision causes, I would rather urge caution. To each his own.

How great a difference in the power of the prescription is a problem? Nothing is mentioned... I suspect that the greater the left to right eye difference in correction, the greater the chance of double vision. I have posted my correction info and I did say 5 years... I will continue, and I will recommend monovision to anyone in my need... You should realize that most people have one eye stronger than the other. I wonder if Dr. Guyton is a stock holder in an eye glass company. Boy, do I hate to wear glasses :mad: