Gene Younger Clear Vision... Naturally

Monovision

Is monovision right for me?

Monovision addresses the problem of presbyopia that many people start to encounter at the age of 40-45 when they think that they may need reading glasses or bifocals for close vision. With monovision, the dominant eye (the eye you would use to focus a camera) is focused for distance vision, and the non-dominant eye is focused for near to intermediate vision. I have read that this can be done with contact lenses, refractive surgery or intraocular lenses. I have recently coached two students in the Bates Method that had been fitted with monovision. One had the surgery and the other had been prescribed contacts. Neither was real happy with the results. The Bates Method focuses primarily on other aspects of perfect eyesight. Dr. Bates proved through thirty years of medical research that the thickness and shape of the lenses has little to do with perfect eyesight. We see with out minds and use our eyes as instruments of sight. So relearning to see with good healthy vision habits is far superior to any for of artificial correction. Students of the Bates Method and Natural Vision Improvement report that clear vision changes their whole way of being in the world. That has certainly been my experience. My clear natural vision and eyesight is one of my most precious gifts. Monovision certainly isn’t a natural and balanced way of seeing.

It is said to be a blend of near and distance vision, and is said to be ideal for people with an active lifestyle. However, there is a caveat to consider: since it is a compromise, most people’s vision isn’t perfectly crisp up close or far away. It does not offer the best of either world. Close or distant ! Most people who opt for monovision go through a brief period of adaptation as the brain “learns” to see with the eye best suited for the task. Some consider it best to take a “test drive” with contact lenses before making a decision. When helping you to decide whether monovision is right for you, your doctor or eye care professional may ask these questions:

Do you enjoy golf or activities that require sharp distance vision?
Do you read for long stretches or have a hobby that requires precise near vision?
Do you drive extensively at night?
Are you very discriminating about the quality of your vision?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, they will likely say that monovision is not best suited to you. It’s never ideal and a poor compromise for those who want to be as independent as possible from glasses And see clearly naturally. I would add these questions from an vision educator’s point of view:

Would you feel that it was natural to have one arm a few inches shorter than the other? How about one leg shorter than the other leg? Maybe one for ‘kicking’ and one for walking?