Laser blended vision uses LASIK surgery to help improve a person’s eyesight. The technique involves correcting the longer-distance vision in one eye while leaving the other more nearsighted for close-up work.

Blended vision, also known as monovision, may help reduce the time a person uses eyeglasses. While contact lenses can achieve this, some people choose surgery, such as LASIK, to correct the focus.

This article explains laser blended vision, what to expect during surgery, and any side effects.

Presbyopia causes a person to lose the ability to see things up close. Most people over the age of 40 years will start to experience symptoms.

A person may choose monovision to reduce their need for reading glasses. They may have to use bifocal lenses constantly, need glasses to see distant objects, or require them for up-close work.

Blended vision can help individuals see both distant and close objects with a significantly reduced need for reading glasses.

In the United States, around 123 million people have presbyopia, according to a 2019 review. Roughly 5.1 million of these choose surgical blended vision.

Most people have one eye that works better than the other, which is their dominant eye. Laser blended vision surgery corrects the vision in the dominant eye to see distant objects more clearly but leaves the remaining eye as nearsighted.

The eyes still work together, so vision becomes clearer at all distances. Most people adapt well to blended vision despite the eyes having different abilities. Over time, it becomes less obvious which eye the surgery has corrected for distant objects and which is more nearsighted.

The sections below describe what happens before, during, and after blended vision surgery.

Before surgery

Before laser blended vision surgery, doctors specializing in treating eye disorders, called ophthalmologists, will conduct tests to determine which eye is dominant.

During surgery

During the procedure, the ophthalmologist changes the shape of the cornea with a laser. This part of the eye focuses light on the back of the eye, or retina.

The procedure goes as follows:

  1. The ophthalmologist numbs the eye with anesthetic drops.
  2. They place an eyelid holder on the eye to prevent blinking and a suction ring to control eye movement. This produces firm pressure on the eyelid.
  3. The ophthalmologist creates a flap in the cornea using a laser or a microkeratome. Then, they lift and fold the flap backward.
  4. They will ask the individual to stare at a target light to keep the eye still.
  5. Using the laser, the ophthalmologist reshapes the cornea.
  6. After this reshaping, the ophthalmologist returns the flap to its original position. This attaches on its own within 2 to 3 minutes and starts to heal in place.

After surgery

Following the procedure, a person may need to wear a clear shield to protect the eye during sleep for several days. An individual should relax after surgery and try to rest.

They may feel scratchiness or burning for a few hours following LASIK. The ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to promote healing and reduce these side effects.

Blended vision allows clearer vision for both up-close and distant objects. It can help people with presbyopia who want to have vision correction for long distances or reduce the need for reading glasses.

Highly active people or those who would prefer not to wear glasses may find that monovision increases their independence from the need for spectacles.

Possible side effects or complications of laser blended vision surgery include:

  • dry eyes
  • seeing halos, glares, or other light patterns
  • blurriness
  • feeling like there is something in the eye
  • thinning of the cornea
  • infection in rare cases

Blended vision can also lead to a difference in how quickly each eye perceives speed blurs. A 2019 study found that this can interfere with how a person understands motions — for example, a motorist may find it harder to judge the speed of a cyclist.

The procedure itself carries some risks. A person’s vision may be worse than before LASIK or might have received over- or under-correction. Worsened vision or blindness are possible in some instances.

It is important to note that people with certain careers or jobs may not be suitable candidates for laser blended vision. For example, it may not be appropriate for pilots. If a pilot does receive laser blended vision, they may need to comply with a 6-month adjustment period and specific requirements.

As LASIK is not suitable for everyone, a person can discuss all risks, benefits, and suitability with an ophthalmologist.

How long does blended vision last?

All LASIK procedures, including laser blended vision, permanently change the shape of the cornea. Some methods for blended vision, such as monovision contact lenses, allow for temporary changes.

Is blended vision better than monovision?

Blended vision is another word for monovision.

Laser blended vision, or monovision, is a permanent corrective procedure for presbyopia. It corrects the dominant eye’s vision to see distant objects clearly and the weaker eye to focus on nearby objects. This allows a person to better see distant and close-up objects, removing or reducing a person’s need for reading glasses.

After the procedure, people may experience dry eyes. Other side effects may include light halos and a reduced ability to judge distances.

Laser blended vision may not be suitable for everybody. Individuals should work with their ophthalmologist to balance the benefits and possible risks of laser blended vision based on their lifestyle, hobbies, profession, and comfort level.