Clinicolegal considerations of monovision

Patients who wear monovision contact lenses must be carefully selected, properly fitted, and adequately informed of the risks of reduced visual acuity and stereopsis. A demonstration of the visual effects of monovision should be used to determine the adaptability of patients to this form of lens wear, and patients should be advised to undergo a gradual adaptation to their lenses. Negligence in the prescribing, fitting, follow-up of these patients can create liability for the contact lens practitioner. Patients must be warned of the risks of monovision lens wear, as required by the doctrine of informed consent, and these warnings should be documented, either by making entries in the patient's record or through the use of forms. Contact lens prescriptions should include all the information necessary to ensure that replacement lenses are the same parameters as those prescribed.