Types of contact lenses

Monovision contact lenses for presbyopia

Vision getting worse with age? You might have presbyopia, a vision change that typically becomes noticeable around age 40. Monovision contact lenses are a common way to help correct it. With this approach, each eye is optimized to a different focal distance.

Medically reviewed on February 23, 2026

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Published on September 20, 2024; Updated on June 1, 2026

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5 minute read

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Key takeaways

Monovision is a technique used to correct vision for people with presbyopia (age-related difficulty seeing things close to your face)
With monovision contact lenses, each eye is corrected to be able to focus on a different distance
Most people can adapt to primarily seeing through the eye that is needed in the moment
Other common options include multifocal contact lenses or contact lenses for distance combined with reading glasses

What is monovision?

With monovision contact lenses, each eye is used for a different purpose—one dedicated to near vision and one dedicated to distance vision. That might mean different prescriptions on each eye, or a contact lens on just one eye. It takes some getting used to, but it works well for many people. If you’re interested in monovision contacts, talk to your eye doctor—they’re the ones that can determine if you’re a good candidate.

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Who is it for?

Monovision is for correcting age-related changes to near vision

Age-related farsightedness, or presbyopia, happens to almost everyone. It’s a normal part of aging that typically starts becoming noticeable around age 40. It’s caused by the lens in your eye becoming less flexible over time, leading to difficulty seeing things that are up close clearly. A telltale sign is a person at a restaurant holding a menu at arm’s length to be able to read it. Monovision contact lenses are one way to correct this.

More about presbyopia

How do monovision contacts work?

Similar to how most people have a dominant hand, most people have a dominant eye that their brain relies on more for aiming and detail, and this is the reason monovision contacts work. By correcting distance vision in the dominant eye, and close-up vision in the non-dominant eye, the brain can learn to change which eye it “listens to” depending on what you’re looking at. This is why you can also use monovision with astigmatism contact lenses—you would just correct each eye with a toric lens (lens designed to correct astigmatism) rather than a spherical lens (designed to correct near- or farsightedness).

Advantages and disadvantages

Monovision contact lenses can be great for people who don’t like to depend on reading glasses, but there can also be some tradeoffs.

Advantages

Improved near-vision

With a monovision approach, you can see objects like menus clearly, without having to hold them away from your face

Can be budget-friendly

Monovision contacts can be tailored to your budget since you can choose from daily disposables or reusables. One common alternative, multifocal contacts, are generally more expensive.

Easy to try for a short time

Monovision contacts are not permanent and can be a good way to try monovision if you're considering a vision correction surgery like LASIK or cataract surgery that would take a monovision approach.

Disadvantages

Some experience difficulty getting used to monovision

This could include headaches, blurry vision, eye strain or other symptoms

Harder to judge depth and contrast

Typically, your eyes work together to help judge the distance of objects and compare light and shadow. When each eye focuses differently, depth perception and contrast can be decreased.

Blurry intermediate vision

Since vision is corrected far and near, objects that are “middle-distance” may appear blurry

Night driving visuals

You may experience more visual difficulties with scattered light, or glare when driving at night

Alternatives to monovision contacts

Of course, if monovision contacts lenses aren’t right for you, you have a few other options.

Multifocal contact lenses

Another approach to contact lenses for presbyopia are multifocal contact lenses. These contacts allow you to see near, middle, and far distances with the same lens.

Eyeglasses

Whether you end up wearing over-the-counter readers or prescription glasses like bifocals, eyeglasses can be a good option for people who aren’t interested in contact lenses or surgery.

A combination of eyeglasses and contact lenses

This option can be used for people who already wear contact lenses and aren’t bothered by reading glasses.

Surgery like LASIK

This is the most permanent of treatment options, and because of that, it’s not often recommended for people with no vision problems other than presbyopia.

See Details of Alternatives

When do eye doctors recommend monovision?

As a presbyopic patient, there are many vision correction options available to you, like progressive or bifocal spectacles, distance contacts with readers, and multifocal or monovision contact lenses. After assessing your unique eye health, vision correction and lifestyle needs, your eye doctor will recommend what they think may work best for you. Multifocals may be recommended when it is important that both eyes work together as a team to provide fine depth perception. Monovision may be recommended in cases of complicated prescriptions, like high levels of astigmatism. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor about their recommendation and alternatives.

Monovision or multifocal contact lenses: Which is better?

Multifocal contact lenses are another common way to correct presbyopia. Monovision and multifocals can both provide clear vision near and far for many people, but it may be helpful to know that in some studies, the majority of those wearing contact lenses for presbyopia prefer to wear multifocal contacts. Ultimately, the only person that can decide which is better for you is your eye doctor.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the success rate of monovision contacts?

Average success rates for monovision are reported to be about 73% and is most successful for early presbyopia. Not surprisingly, the success rate is much higher if pre-existing contact lens wearers try monovision (success rate c. 59–67%) than if people who do not wear contact lenses are offered a trial with monovision contact lenses (success rate c. 8%).

Which eye do contacts go in for monovision?

Typically, a contact lens that corrects distance vision goes in your dominant eye, and a contact lens that corrects near vision goes in your non-dominant eye.

Can I wear monovision contacts after cataract surgery?

In many cases it is possible for contact lenses—monovision or not—to be worn after cataract surgery. If you've had cataract surgery and are interested in wearing contact lenses, ask your doctor if this is an appropriate option for you.

Can I use monovision contacts if I have astigmatism?

Yes, monovision simply corrects each eye for a different distance. If you have astigmatism, the contact lens prescriptions would account for that with a toric contact lens.

Who is a candidate for monovision?

Monovision contacts are usually provided to people experiencing presbyopia. The best person to determine whether they’d be right for you would be your eye doctor. They’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your eye health, experience with contact lenses, tear film, and vision needs.

How long does monovision take to get used to?

Every person is different, and monovision contact lenses aren’t for everyone. Some people have too much trouble getting used to them. That said, if your eyes don’t seem to be adjusting well, speak with your eye doctor.

What are the side effects of monovision contact lenses?

Common complaints include difficulty adjusting to monovision contact lenses, visual fatigue, blurry intermediate vision, and difficulty with night driving. Reading or driving glasses used on a part-time basis can resolve some of these issues.

Footnotes

The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.

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Monovision contact lenses for presbyopia

Key takeaways

What is monovision?

Monovision is for correcting age-related changes to near vision

How do monovision contacts work?