Laser in situ keratomileusis monovision

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of monovision after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Private practice, Little Silver, New Jersey, USA. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 432 consecutive patients (864 eyes) who had LASIK between January 1998 and October 1999 with a follow-up of 6 to 28 months were examined. All patients older than 40 years were asked to complete a questionnaire, and study results were based on analysis of data from the patient charts correlated with the questionnaire responses. RESULTS: Women chose monovision over full distance correction more than twice as often as men (P =.00). Although the patients who had full distance correction reported somewhat higher levels of postoperative satisfaction than the monovision patients, the differences were not statistically significant (P =.41). Overall, 96% of patients were satisfied with monovision after LASIK, and 4% chose enhancement to full distance correction. CONCLUSION: Monovision after LASIK was a valuable and viable option for the management of presbyopia.