I’m finally reaching my limit with reading glasses. I’ve heard several people my age rave about monovision contact lenses, where one eye handles distance and the other handles close-up work. My optometrist says it takes a few weeks for the brain to adjust, but some people never get used to it.
I’m worried about losing depth perception, especially when I’m out hiking or driving at night. Has anyone here made the switch successfully, or did you find the compromise too frustrating? I’d love to hear if it’s actually a practical solution or just a headache.
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I’ve been using monovision for about five years now. The first week was weird, I won’t lie. I felt a little off-balance, but then my brain just clicked. It is so nice not to reach for readers every time I look at my phone or a menu.
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I tried it and absolutely hated it. My depth perception was shot. I actually tripped on a curb because I couldn’t tell exactly how far away it was. Back to progressives for me.
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I’m in the same boat as you, SilverLiner. Tired of the ‘on and off’ with the readers. Following this thread closely!
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Your doctor should give you a trial pair of lenses first. Don’t commit until you’ve worn them for at least ten days. It took me about eight days to stop feeling dizzy when looking from the dashboard to the road. Now, I don’t even notice it. It’s like my brain just picks the right ‘camera’ for the job automatically. Just be patient with yourself during that first week and don’t do any heavy night driving until you feel steady.
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Have you asked about multifocal contacts? They work differently than monovision. Both eyes do both jobs. I found them much easier to adapt to than the one-eye-near, one-eye-far setup.
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Is there a big price difference between these and regular contacts?
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I find the clarity just isn’t there. It’s a compromise on both ends. My distance isn’t as sharp as it is with standard lenses, and my reading isn’t as sharp as it is with readers. I’d rather have perfect vision and the hassle of glasses than mediocre vision in both ranges.
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The first time I wore them to the grocery store, I felt like I was walking on a boat! It was hilarious and frustrating at the same time. But after a few days, the ‘seasickness’ went away. It’s been a life changer for my morning walks.
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The technical term for what happens is ‘interocular suppression.’ Your brain eventually learns to ignore the blurred image from the eye that isn’t in focus. It’s amazing what the human body can do, but it definitely isn’t for everyone, especially if you have a strong dominant eye.
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Agreed with Jim. If you do anything active like tennis or golf, monovision can really mess with your game. I couldn’t track the ball properly at all.
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I tried them for a month. I loved them for office work, but night driving was a nightmare. The halos around the headlights were too much for me. I ended up going back to my trusty progressives for the safety factor.
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Thanks for all the input everyone. I think I’ll ask for a trial pair next week. It sounds like a ‘love it or hate it’ situation, so I might as well see which camp I fall into before I buy a whole year’s supply.
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