Laser blended vision is corrected vision where one of the eyes is adjusted for long-distance and the other for up-close tasks. The result of this combination is a greater depth of field and comfort for the patient. This is also known as monovision, and can be used to treat age-related vision problems as well as other conditions. If a patient is a candidate for the procedure, a specialist can perform a careful evaluation to prepare, and the laser session itself generally takes 10 to 15 minutes.
This approach to vision correction is designed to provide a broad scope of correction for increased patient comfort. As patients age and consider laser vision correction, one issue they may encounter is that they will still have to wear glasses for reading and other close tasks. The correction of their long-range vision may help with activities like driving, but it leaves them with a more limited short range. In laser blended vision, the goal is to get the best of both long and short-range vision correction.
Some patients may still need to wear reading glasses after the surgery, depending on their level of visual impairment and the amount of correction offered. Others may be able to avoid them, at least for several years. They can enjoy a greater depth of field in both eyes as a result of the combination offered by laser blended vision, along with the increased visual acuity from the laser vision correction.
Before the procedure, patients may need a routine examination to check for potential issues like high blood pressure, glaucoma, and other problems that might be contraindications for the laser blended vision surgery. Once the patient is cleared, the surgeon can program the laser equipment for the desired level of correction. This considers the patient’s current visual acuity and the condition of the eyes, each of which is treated separately with a laser to generate blended vision.
Immediately after surgery, patients can experience blurred vision, tearing, and starbursts. These symptoms should start to resolve as the eyes heal. It can take several weeks to months for the eyes to fully settle after laser vision correction, during which the patient may need to wear glasses to provide compensation. One potential risk of the procedure is that it may fail; either the correction won’t be sufficient or the patient develops permanent side effects like halos around objects.
Working with an experienced vision specialist can help reduce the risk of side effects. If a facility offers laser blended vision, patients can ask how long practitioners have been using the procedure to get an idea of their experience. They can also request information on success rates and complications among the clinic’s patients.
