How Do Monovision Contact Lenses Work?
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Vision Correction
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Monovision is a technique that allows a person to see clearly at a distance but also to be able to focus on objects that are close and to read and do other tasks that require good close-up vision. When a person reaches roughly 40 years of age, his vision changes in a way that makes it difficult to read small print or focus on close objects. This is known as presbyopia. Monovision corrects this problem without the need for special reading glasses or bifocals.
Physical Effect
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It is possible to adjust to two contact lenses with totally different prescriptions and corrections because every person has one eye that is dominant. Even though you use both of your eyes, when you are looking at something in the distance the brain gives most of its attention to the visual input dominant eye. Thus, if you use a contact lens with distance correct on the dominant eye, it will not be difficult to get used to because you're not changing the way you see naturally. Over time, your brain will learn to focus on the input from the nondominant eye when you are reading or doing another task that required you to rely on your close-up vision. It usually takes around 2 weeks to adjust to monovision contact lenses.
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Contact Lenses and Glasses
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Monovision works with contact lenses but not with glasses, because the brain doesn't realize that the contact lens is not a natural part of the eye. With glasses, you can see above, below and to the sides of the lenses because of the way the frame sits in your face. Because of this, most people are unable to adjust to monovision glasses and must use bifocals instead. Contact lenses fit over your pupil, so you can only see the corrected field of vision. The brain accepts this as natural and adjusts accordingly. According to the AC Lens, studies show that 80 percent of people can adjust comfortably to monovision contact lenses.
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Resources
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