Blended Vision

When you enter your 40s and you begin to experience the onset of DLS, the lens in your eye is undergoing a series of gradual changes. We categorize these changes into three stages:

• Stage 1 – This is the beginning of DLS and is commonly referred to as presbyopia. In stage 1, the lens of your eye begins to harden and lose its flexibility. This rigidness makes it difficult for you to focus on things up close, and is the reason you will start to need reading glasses or bifocals. This stage usually begins in your early to mid-40s. For active individuals in this stage with good distance vision seeking to reduce or eliminate dependence on reading glasses, specific treatment options exist.
• Stage 2 – With stage 2 DLS, the lens of the eye has started the gradual process of yellowing. This affects the amount of light the lens can filter, which in turn reduces the clarity of your vision, both at distance and close up. Symptoms of stage 2 most often begin in your late 40s to mid-50s. For patients in DLS stage 2, we often recommend a lens replacement procedure instead of laser vision correction, and replace the dysfunctional lens with a technologically advanced lens. We call this procedure Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE).
• Stage 3 – This is what’s known as a cataract. With cataracts, the lens of your eye has become cloudy enough that it is significantly affecting your vision, and treatment is necessary to restore the quality of your sight. In the United States, the average age to have cataract surgery is 73. For patients in DLS stage 3, we often recommend a lens replacement procedure instead of laser vision correction, and replace the dysfunctional lens with a technologically advanced lens or laser cataract surgery.

If you are experiencing difficulty with reading vision and distance vision, it is possible to treat one eye for near vision and the other eye for distance vision. Lance Kugler, MD and our other refractive surgeons often recommend this approach, which is known as blended vision. Discover your options by taking our 60-second self-test. 

Blended Vision gets people out of glasses and contacts, allowing them to see near and far without any visual aids. Watch the video below to see how blended vision works to correct near and distance vision.

View Video

Blended vision decreases the necessity for both near and distance glasses. Although this may sound confusing, patients adjust well, and report great results. Blended vision could be the best option for the specific needs of patients over 40 who wish to avoid glasses altogether. However, to determine which solution is best for you, Lance Kugler, MD and our other refractive surgeons will need to analyze your eyes to make a recommendation. At the time of your consultation, our doctors may ask you to partake in a blended vision simulation, so you can see for yourself whether it is something that meets your visual needs.

The blended vision simulation is performed with a trial contact lens. We put one contact lens in your dominant eye for distance vision and another in your nondominant eye for up-close reading vision. After a few days, your eyes will adjust to the simulation and you will experience how blended vision would affect your vision. If you decide that you like how you see after this trial, we will toss the contact lens away and correct your vision with LASIK. This results in you having crystal clear vision all the time without dealing with the hassles of glasses and contacts.

At Kugler Vision, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to achieving your vision goals. We offer a variety of financing solutions, allowing you to conserve cash and making LASIK more affordable than ever on almost any budget.

Kugler Vision has transformed the payment experience by providing simple financing options. We are proud to have partnered with a trusted healthcare financing company with convenient plans to give you a simple and affordable way to fund your laser vision correction procedure.

With an Alphaeon Credit card, you’ll pay no interest when your balance is paid in full within 24 months. Simply click the button below to be redirected to the fast and easy application page. Terms and conditions apply. For important information about 24 months financing, please visit our Financing Terms and Conditions page.