Revisiting monovision for presbyopia

Abstract

Purpose of review: Presbyopia is an inevitable age-related loss of accommodation that results in spectacle dependence with common everyday near-vision tasks. Many surgical approaches to presbyopic correction have been investigated, with monovision correction being amongst the most common and attractive options. In this article, we will review the advantages and disadvantages of the new modalities of presbyopic monovision correction.

Recent findings: New methods such as mini-monovision, corneal inlays, and multifocal corneal ablation aim to maximize stereopsis and decrease the anisometropic side effects of conventional monovision. These include inlays such as the KAMRA and Raindrop, and phakic intraocular lenses such as the hole ICL. Newer corneal laser refractive procedures such as small incision lenticule extraction have also shown good outcomes with monovision. Pseudophakic monovision using standard monofocal lenses still provides good results.

Summary: Monovision for presbyopic correction continues to provide promising results. There are a number of new devices and techniques that have shown good visual acuity outcomes, patient satisfaction and spectacle independence.