The Hidden Tradeoffs of One Eye for Distance, One Eye for Near After Cataract Surgery

At UseMyFrame.com, we see a lot of customers after their cataract surgery. Many are thrilled with their new vision — but others come to us frustrated, confused, and sometimes even a little defeated. A common thread we hear often involves patients who were steered into having one eye set for distance and one for near vision during their lens implant surgery — a technique often called monovision or blended vision.

On paper, it sounds great:

"One eye lets you see far away, one eye lets you read up close, and you won’t need glasses anymore!"

For some patients, that’s true. But for many others, it doesn't work out quite so simply — especially if they weren't fully warned about what this approach can mean in everyday life.

Why do surgeons recommend monovision?

The idea behind monovision is to reduce your need for glasses. After the cataracts are removed, the surgeon implants an artificial lens (called an IOL) in each eye. By setting one eye for distance and the other for near, your brain is supposed to "blend" the two images together, allowing you to function fairly well at most distances without needing glasses.

It’s a tempting option — especially for patients who dread wearing reading glasses or progressive lenses.

The problem: your eyes aren’t always as willing as the brochure makes it sound.

While some patients adapt to monovision successfully, others struggle with:

• Loss of depth perception (critical for driving, steps, curbs, and even pouring liquids)

• Nighttime glare, halos, and starbursts (especially when driving at night)

• Difficulty with mid-range or intermediate tasks (such as computer screens)

• Visual fatigue or imbalance between the two eyes

• Loss of crisp detail for fine work (art, crafts, sewing, drawing, etc.)

We recently heard from a customer named Pat who does intricate artwork. The surgeon convinced her to set one eye for near and one for distance. Unfortunately, her "near" eye isn't quite strong enough for the detail work she needs, so she still has to wear reading glasses anyway — exactly what she was hoping to avoid. Worse yet, the imbalance between the eyes has left her struggling with glares, night driving, and frustration that no one fully explained the possible downsides before surgery.

And she’s not alone — we hear stories like Pat’s all the time.

The truth: monovision is not one-size-fits-all.

Monovision may work well for certain patients who:

• Have mild prescriptions

• Rarely drive at night

• Don’t do much close-up or precision work

• Have previously tried monovision contact lenses successfully before surgery

But for others — especially artists, craftspeople, avid readers, frequent drivers, or anyone who needs sharp vision at multiple distances — it may not be the ideal choice.

What can you do if you're facing cataract surgery?

1️⃣ Have an honest conversation with your surgeon.
Ask about both the benefits and the possible drawbacks of monovision.

2️⃣ If possible, trial monovision contact lenses before surgery.
This can help simulate how your brain might handle the difference.

3️⃣ Don’t feel pressured to avoid glasses entirely.
Many patients achieve better overall vision with both eyes corrected equally for distance, and then using glasses (or progressive lenses) for reading, driving, or detailed work.

4️⃣ Consider your lifestyle needs first.
Night driving, fine art, sewing, computer work, and other visual demands often require more balanced vision than monovision offers.

And if you're already struggling after surgery?

If you’ve already had cataract surgery and are finding that monovision isn’t working well for you — you’re not alone. We work with patients every day to help improve their vision with properly made prescription lenses, specialty coatings, and adjustments tailored to their specific post-surgery situation.

While we can’t undo what was done surgically, carefully designed glasses can often help improve sharpness, balance, and reduce some of the visual discomfort you may be experiencing.

Bottom line:

Monovision can be a useful tool — but it's not automatically the best solution for everyone. If you're considering cataract surgery, make sure you fully understand both sides of the decision. And if you’ve already had surgery and feel frustrated, know that there may still be solutions to help you get back to seeing — and living — more comfortably.