Binocular function and patient satisfaction after monovision induced by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)

Introduction: Presbyopia is a problem in refraction attributed to loss of near vision. Monovision (MV) is a strategy to compensate for presbyopia whereby one eye is corrected for distance and the other eye corrected for near vision. The patient should be able to suppress the blurred image from one eye and see clearly at all distances without glasses. Purpose: To measure binocular function and patient satisfaction with MV induced by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in myopic and hyperopic presbyopic patients. Methods: Patients 39 years or older who underwent MV LASIK and minimum 90 days follow-up were included in the study. The following parameters were used: distance and near corrected/uncorrected visual acuity, manifest refraction before and after surgery and near stereopsis postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire. Results: One hundred and fourteen patients (100 myopes, 14 hyperopes) were included. After surgery, 79% had distance binocular uncorrected visual acuity of 6/7.5 or better and 97% of the patients had near binocular uncorrected visual acuity of J2 or better. The median of the near steroacuity was 100 seconds of arc. A total of 80% of the patients were very satisfied. The surgical score was 85. An overall 89.5% of the patients felt that their main goal had been achieved and 89% would choose to have surgery if they had it to do over. Eight percent of the patients used glasses for distance and 24% used reading glasses after surgery. The quality of life while driving at night improved in 55% and deteriorated in 15% of the patients. The quality of life while driving during the day improved in 69% and deteriorated in 1%. Conclusions: Monovision induced by LASIK may be a valuable option for both myopic and hyperopic presbyopic individuals considering refractive surgery. However, due to the risk of decreased night vision and continued use of reading glasses during the day, this surgery may not be suitable for patients in whom night driving and/or reading are an essential part of their life.