FAQs
Monovision
What is Monovision?
Monovision is a situation in which one eye sees clearly at distance, and the other eye is nearsighted, which preserves reading vision in patients over 40. Monovision is an excellent choice for LASIK and cataract surgery patients because it provides good vision at distance and near and freedom from total reliance on either distance or reading glasses.
What types of corrective eye surgery can create monovision?
Laser vision correction by LASIK, LASEK, CK, or PRK, and cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation are the common procedures in which monovision can be the intended result.
What are the limitations of monovision?
When a patient has one eye for distance and one eye for near, they may notice their vision is not as sharp at certain times or in certain situations as it would be if both eyes were working together. Monovision patients frequently notice distance blur or light scattering from the reading eye under conditions requiring the best distance vision, such as driving at night or driving in the rain. They may also notice a slight reduction in depth perception during sport activities such as golf or tennis. Finally some patients they may notice difficulty with prolonged reading or with very fine visual tasks such as needlepoint and sewing.
I have good success with monovision, will spare-specs cause me to become more dependent on glasses again if I use them?
We always aim for make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order, we’re happy to help. Just email us directly and we’ll take you through the process.
I have monovision with one eye distance and one eye near, but find a "dead zone" at the intermediate distance, which is roughly arms length or at my computer working distance. Can spare-specs work for me?
Yes, spare-specs can be prescribed which make both eyes clearer in the intermediate zone, particularly for prolonged computer work. Your eye care professional can provide the appropriate prescription.
I have monovision after surgery, and I am still adapting to it. If I use spare-specs, will it prolong or prevent my adaptation?
No, new monovision patients typically take up to 90 days to fully adapt to using one eye for distance and one eye for near. spare-specs will function to improve vision during the adaptation phase, as well as afterwards, because two eyes working together will always be better than each eye alone.
Spare-Specs
What are spare-specs?
spare-specs are single vision (not bifocal) glasses designed specifically for monovision patients, pre-manufactured in monovision prescriptions for patients who would like a simple solution to improve their vision.
spare-specs clear are available in clear distance prescriptions for night driving and spare-specs sun in sunglass distance prescriptions for daylight to improve distance vision and depth perception. spare-specs readers are available to improve reading vision for prolonged reading or for very fine visual tasks.
How do I know which spare-specs will work for me?
Consult your eye care professional or your spare-specs prescription referral card to select the correct spare-specs prescription from our order form. spare-specs are manufactured to correct nearly all of the monovision results following LASIK and other corrective eye surgery.
My Doctor gave me a prescription for spare-specs clear for night driving, but I would like to have the correct spare-specs readers too. How do I choose the correct spare-specs readers?
The appropriate spare-specs readers prescription is the opposite of the your spare-specs clear (distance) prescription (except for -1.00 prescriptions, see below)
Example: if your spare-specs clear are OD Plano | OS –2.00, then your spare-specs readers are OD +2.00 | OS Plano
And: if your spare-specs clear are OD –1.50 | OS Plano, then your spare-specs readers are OD Plano | OS +1.50.
What do the abbreviations OD, OS and Plano represent?
OD = right eye, OS = left eye, Plano = plain lens or zero prescription. The OD (right eye) is always written first in a prescription. The OS (left eye) is written second.
I don't see my prescription(s) on the menu of standard prescriptions. Can you make spare-specs with my prescription(s)?
If your prescription is not listed, your Doctor has written your prescription in a .25 diopter increment, or your prescription may have astigmatism correction (written with a cylinder and axis). spare-specs custom can be manufactured in any prescription your Doctor has provided. Please see custom prescriptions.
Will I still be able to read up close through spare-specs clear & spare-specs sun?
No, spare-specs clear and spare-specs sun correct the reading eye for distance, thereby making the distance vision better, and reversing the monovision. For better reading vision, spare-specs readers correct the distance eye for reading, allowing you to read better up close.
I have good success with monovision, will spare-specs cause me to become more dependent on glasses again if I use them?
No, spare-specs will not increase your dependence on glasses again if you have successful monovision. They are intended to fine-tune your vision during times when the best binocular vision is necessary.
I have monovision after surgery, and I am still adapting to it. If I use spare-specs, will it prolong or prevent my adaptation?
No, new monovision patients typically take up to 90 days to fully adapt to using one eye for distance and one eye for near. spare-specs will function to improve vision during the adaptation phase, as well as afterwards, because two eyes working together will always be better than each eye alone.
Will spare-specs help my vision if I have had problems with my eye surgery and I am not happy with the results?
No, spare-specs are not intended for, and cannot correct medical problems of the eye, which may occur after eye surgery and which can cause poor vision, halo, glare, or starburst. spare-specs are intended for patients with monovision who are happy with their results but who may want additional fine-tuning of their vision for certain activities or under certain conditions.
I have had LASIK and I am slightly under-corrected. Will spare-specs fine-tune my vision until my eyes are stable enough for enhancement?
Yes, spare-specs are ideal for this situation, with prescriptions specifically designed for this purpose. Consult your Doctor to select the correct prescription.
I have had correction for farsightedness (hyperopia) by laser or CK, and I am temporarily nearsighted in one or both eyes. Will spare-specs work for me?
Laser vision correction of farsightedness by LASIK or CK can cause temporary nearsightedness and distance blur lasting a few days or a few weeks. spare-specs has affordable, quality prescriptions to improve distance vision in these situations until the nearsightedness resolves.
I have monovision with my contacts, but I would like to see better at certain times. Will spare-specs work for me?
Yes, spare-specs can work over your contacts to correct the near eye for distance, or the distance eye for near.