Mini monovision and depth perception

I'm probably a bad example. I've had natural mini-monovision for years and gone without glasses my whole life except to drive, so it's what I'm used to.I've never noticed a depth perception problem for day to day activities. I don't know if I'd have an issue with following a small ball while playing sports, but I can tell when one thing is in front of another and when I grab something it's where I expect it to be. Never had problems driving, seeing where there are uneven places in the sidewalk, pulling tiny weeds, or getting on escalators.

I'm a little over 7 weeks out from the first eye a week out from getting my second eye done. At my exam yesterday the doc said my eyes were 1 diopter apart (my target was 1.25). I don't know if I agree with his assessment. I've developed some complications but they are starting to improve with treatment and my eyes were misbehaving at my exam, and based on where my focal distance is now I think I'm probably 1.25-1.5D difference between the 2 eyes.

The only time I've noticed a depth perception issue was during the first couple days after my 1st eye was done. I didn't have clear vision nearer than about 4' at the time in the IOL eye. I'm diabetic, and after finger sticks, I take the used lancet (needle) and jab the point into its plastic cover, which is about 1/2 the diameter of a pencil eraser. For the first few days I'd go to stick the needle into the cover (probably about 14" away) and miss. One hand would pass in front of the other. That problem went away, and I haven't had any more issues.

One thing I did notice was that before complications, my first, distance eye seemed to see things in 3D more on its own than I was used to with both eyes. My vision in the first eye degraded before my second eye was done, so I'm looking forward to the problems resolving to see how the world looks. But even with my vision affected, I'm not having any depth perception issues. Again, this is what I've had for decades, so it's what I'm used to--someone with more balanced eyes might have a different experience.

My dominate right eye set for distance, landed at +.25 so slightly over, which from my understanding doesn't affect distance but slightly diminishes closer vision. The left eye came in at -1.25, leaving me at 1.50 difference.

I haven't had any issues related to depth perception that I can tell, but after years of cataracts and this new normal, I cannot compare how far off perfect "normal" healthy vision I am now.

I am overall satisfied with the monovision and really appreciate not having to carry glasses everywhere.

I had to wear glasses to read and see items close, for the last 20 years or so prior to the surgery. Haven't used readers since the surgery in April and I work in front of a computer.

At night when the pupils dilate, slight fuzziness of the intermediate eye becomes more apparent .

If I drive locally I do not need glasses but any driving on the highway at night, I have prescription glasses that bring the intermediate eye to distance. I've only used them twice.

No matter what choice in IOL's, its a compromise.

I have one eye with an IOL that was targeted for distance. It came out with a residual of 0.0 D spherical and -0.75 D cylinder (astigmatism). My other eye has a mild cataract and has not been operated on. I simulate mini monovision by using a contact lens that under corrects by about -1.25 D. I only use reading glasses (+1.25) for very small print, or when lighting is poor. Computer work is just fine, and I can read standard text in a book as long as the light is reasonable.

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With respect to depth perception I have not seen any issue. Like @lucy24197 reports I am diabetic and test with a finger stick. I have no trouble sticking the lancet back into the cap. I also googled depth perception test and found an article that one test is to point your finger at an object on the wall. You then look at your finger, and back at the object on the wall. Supposedly if you have good depth perception you should see your finger in sharp focus when you look at it, and when you look at the object on the wall you should see two fingers, one on each side of the object, plus the object in the middle. I have never done that test before, and am not sure what it really means, but I do see exactly that. The object on the wall, right between two fingers (which is really just one finger of course).

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I think the true test of depth perception may be playing table tennis. I have not done that since the operation and my simulating monovision. With progressive glasses I find I have trouble hitting the ball when it gets close to me. At least that is what I blame it on --- swish! Will be interesting to see if monovision helps or hurts.