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Laser blended vision
As we get older our ability to focus on objects close to us diminishes. This is a natural ageing process of the eyes and affects both men and women as they reach their mid-forties.
The name given to this is presbyopia and unfortunately there is nothing we can do to stop it developing. For those people who have never previously worn glasses, presbyopia will result in them having to wear reading glasses for the first time. For people who already wear glasses, presbyopia will mean they will now have to consider bifocals or varifocals.
Laser eye surgery has traditionally only be used to correct distance vision but recent developments mean there are now techniques that are available to correct near vision as well as distance vision. Laser blended vision is becoming an increasingly popular method of correcting presbyopia although it is not the only solution that is available to you. Monovision, CK treatment and Kamra Vision Inlays are also viable alternatives for correcting presbyopia and you can read more about these options at the following link: Laser eye surgery for reading vision.
What exactly is Laser blended vision?
The aim of laser blended vision is to correct one eye to see mainly for near vision and the other eye to see mainly for distance vision. When both eyes are open the brain blends the vision in both eyes together, ensuring that you are able to see comfortably for both distance and near vision. Laser blended vision is generally easier to adapt to than monovision as there is less of a difference between the two eyes.
A higher percentage of people will be suitable for laser blended vision compared with monovision. With monovision one eye is corrected solely for distance vision and the other eye solely for reading vision which is generally more difficult to adapt to. With blended vision however there is more of a compromise, meaning that the eye corrected for near vision will still have some distance vision and the eye corrected for distance vision will still have some reading vision. This is not the case for monovision. Approximately 90% of people are suitable for blended vision whereas this may be as low as 60% for monovision. You will be assessed for suitability before undergoing laser blended vision surgery.
How does laser blended vision work?
The aim of laser blended vision is to correct both your distance and reading vision in the most 'natural way' possible. During the procedure the laser effectively reshapes the surface of your cornea just as is done in normal laser eye surgery. During normal laser eye surgery however, the laser reshapes the cornea so that the power is the same right across the whole cornea. This is not the case for blended vision as the laser creates different power zones, meaning that parts of the cornea are corrected for distance vision and other parts are corrected for reading vision. The laser will bias one eye towards distance vision (dominant eye) and the other eye towards reading vision (non-dominant eye) which will give an excellent overall result when both eyes are working together.
What happens if I don't adapt to laser blended vision?
This is unlikely to happen as your surgeon will carry out tests prior to surgery to check that you will be suitable. If however you do not adapt to laser blended vision the procedure is completely reversible.
How long does laser blended vision last?
The treatment typically lasts for up to 10 years but this will vary slightly depending on your age.
Clinics that perform laser blended vision?
Got a question about laser eye surgery? Ask it in our laser eye surgery forum.
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