| Laser Blended Vision | Monovision LASIK | Lens replacement (micro-monovision) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Laser sets the dominant eye for distance and the other eye slightly for near, with the focus stretched so the two blend | Laser sets the dominant eye for distance and the other eye for near | Natural lenses replaced with lens implants, such as extended depth of focus lenses, with one eye set very slightly short-sighted |
| Often suits | From the mid-40s, before a cataract develops | Short-sighted people who have already worn monovision contact lenses | Usually over 55, or with an early cataract or a high prescription |
| Your natural lens | Kept; reading vision can still change with age | Kept; reading vision can still change with age | Replaced, so no cataract later |
| Anaesthesia | Awake, with numbing drops and relaxing medication | Awake, with numbing drops and relaxing medication | Fast asleep with a specialist anaesthetist |
| Price per eye | $4,250 | $4,250 | $6,000, including the anaesthetist |
In a study of LASIK monovision in people with presbyopia and low prescriptions, the treatment was safe and effective with high patient satisfaction (Peng et al., 2018). With lens replacement, an extended depth of focus lens set up for mini-monovision gave excellent distance, good intermediate and useful near vision without glasses (Tomagova et al., 2023). Not everyone adapts to having their eyes set differently, which is why a contact lens trial is the most reliable way to find out before surgery (Evans, 2007). Read monovision vs blended vision and laser eye surgery for reading glasses.
Traditional LASIK surgery and PRK surgery only corrects the vision for distance. Once people reach their mid 40's the need for reading glasses arises. This weakening of the eye's power to change focus from distance to reading is known as presbyopia.
Often this means people start to need reading glasses or graduated glasses. Often they try multifocal contact lenses. But it can be frustrating and many people report feeling older or less confident.
Laser surgery can help. It can correct refractive errors in the eye that cause vision problems. Everyone has a dominant eye like they have a dominant hand (try our dominant eye test). This eye is set for focus at good distance vision while the other eye is set for a closer focus to allow reading without glasses. A feature of the eyes called spherical aberration can be used to stretch the focus so the focus in each eye blends together to give a natural feeling range of vision.
It may sound strange to have the eyes set differently, but for most people it is a very natural feeling. To check if you are a good candidate, you will need an eye examination. This can be done with your local optometrist before you see us or by our friendly team at Focus Vision.
This video will help you to prepare for your appointment with your doctor at Focus Vision.
Book a free optometrist assessmentThis laser eye surgery offers several advantages over traditional methods of vision correction:
Traditional LASIK only corrects distance vision, meaning patients over 45 need glasses to read. Also lasik eye surgery is not good for those with thin corneas which can cause lasik complications.
Enjoy the freedom and convenience of clear vision at all distances, without the hassle of constantly switching between glasses. No need for monovision contact lenses.
Unlike lens exchange surgery, which replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens, refractive surgery provides a more natural, clearer visual experience with less haloes and night time issues.
Most patients are driving the next day and only take 1–2 days off work.
Choosing Laser Blended Vision at our Queensland practice means choosing fellowship-trained corneal surgeons who plan each treatment around your eyes and audit their vision correction results.
Learn More ABout Our Team
Laser Blended Vision is ideal for individuals over 40 who are experiencing difficulty with near vision due to presbyopia. Candidates for Laser Blended Vision should: Have good overall eye health.
The Laser Blended Vision procedure is quick, and most people feel little or no pain. It typically takes less than 10 minutes per eye. The procedure is extremely similar to LASIK in terms of the experience, risks and benefits. A laser is used to reshape the corneal surface, improving both near and distance vision. Most patients experience improved vision immediately after the procedure, with minimal visual disturbances.
Laser Blended Vision costs $4,250 per eye, the same as standard LASIK. There is no extra charge for blended vision or monovision. The price includes your assessments, the surgery, 12 months of follow-up and free enhancements for two years under our enhancement policy; prescribed eye drops are extra. Interest-free plans start from $41 a week per eye. See our costs page.
Your initial optometrist assessment is free. Every patient proceeding to surgery has a paid specialist surgeon consultation to confirm suitability, discuss their specific procedure and arrange surgery. The consultation fee is deducted from the surgery price for every procedure if you proceed. Prescribed medications and eye drops are purchased separately; eligible patients can access PBS subsidies for eligible prescriptions. See our pricing details.
Yes — Laser Blended Vision is a specific laser technique designed to reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses. It works by using LASIK or PRK to set each eye for a slightly different focal distance: the dominant eye is optimised for distance vision, while the non-dominant eye is set for a near focus. A natural property of the eye called spherical aberration allows the two focal ranges to blend together, creating a continuous range of clear vision without needing to switch between pairs of glasses.
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to change focus between near and distant objects, caused by the natural hardening of the crystalline lens with age. It typically begins in the mid-40s and progresses through the 50s. It is not a disease — it is a normal age-related change that affects virtually everyone. The result is that near objects appear blurry without reading glasses, even in people who previously had perfect vision or wore glasses only for distance.
Laser Blended Vision suits patients typically over 45 who are experiencing presbyopia and want to reduce their dependence on reading glasses. You will need a thorough eye assessment to confirm suitability — including corneal thickness measurements, a stable prescription, and healthy overall eye health. Many patients who have previously worn distance glasses and now also need reading glasses find Laser Blended Vision to be a life-changing solution.
The slight adjustment to the non-dominant eye for near focus is very small and carefully calculated. The vast majority of patients adapt naturally and comfortably within a few days to weeks, without noticing any compromise to their distance vision. A short monovision trial using contact lenses can be arranged before surgery to confirm that you are likely to adapt well to the blended focus.
Both treat presbyopia, but they work differently and suit different patient profiles. Laser Blended Vision uses LASIK to reshape the cornea — it preserves the natural lens and is generally better suited to patients under 55 who still have reasonable near focus ability. Refractive Lens Exchange removes the natural lens and replaces it with a multifocal or EDOF artificial lens — it is generally better suited to patients over 55, those with early cataracts, or those with high prescriptions unsuitable for laser surgery. Your Focus Vision surgeon will recommend the right approach at your paid specialist consultation. The consultation fee is deducted from the surgery price if you proceed.
Laser Blended Vision permanently reshapes the cornea, so the correction itself is stable. However, presbyopia is a progressive condition — the eye's natural lens continues to change with age. Some patients find that their reading vision continues to decline gradually over the years following Laser Blended Vision, as the natural lens becomes less flexible. For patients who want a permanent, age-proof solution, Refractive Lens Exchange with a premium multifocal lens is the definitive long-term option. If the correction itself ever needs fine-tuning, enhancements are free for two years under our enhancement policy.
Contact our specialist team today.
As fellowship-trained corneal surgeons, we specialise in corneal surgery techniques, ensuring that every patient receives personalised treatment of the highest standard. Our extensive training and experience in corneal surgery enable us to address a wide range of eye conditions with precision and care.
At Focus Vision, we understand the importance of clear vision and its impact on your quality of life. That's why we are passionate about helping our patients choose the right vision correction for their eyes, whether through LASIK, premium cataract surgery, or other advanced procedures. We are here to guide you through every step of the process, providing professional and reassuring care along the way. We believe that successful outcomes are the result of a collaborative approach between patient and surgeon. That's why we take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and tailor our treatment plans to meet your specific needs. Our goal is not just to improve your vision, but to enhance your overall well-being, allowing you to enjoy life with clear, comfortable vision.
Dr David Gunn | MBBS (Hons), BSc, CertLRS, FWCRS, FRANZCO
Dr Brendan Cronin | MBBS (Hons), DipOphthSci, B.Com, LLB, FRANZCO
Start with a free optometrist assessment to explore your suitability. Every patient proceeding to surgery then has a paid consultation with a specialist surgeon to confirm suitability, discuss their procedure and plan surgery. The consultation fee is deducted from the surgery price for every procedure.
Book a free optometrist assessmentWritten and reviewed by Dr Brendan Cronin FRANZCO, FWCRS — Corneal, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon. Last reviewed: 2 November 2026