36 and scared: did I messed up my eyes to get rid of glasses?

@Sue.An2 Did you have Symfony Multifocals or Extended Depth of Focus?

How close can you read a normal book, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, do you remember how long it took to get to you final visual acuity (clarity, not halos and other visual effects).

I have Symfony in both eyes. They are extended depth of focus lenses (not multifocals). I was able to see well with in 24 hours of surgery although small improvements over course of few weeks. I read well at 11 inches which I am pleased with as I was told that would be 18 inches by surgeon. I donhave the compromise of seeing concentric circles around certain lights at night. In the beginning these were more bothersome than they are now. But they are still there and not likely to go away. I have learned to live with that compromise. It has been nice not to wear glasses. But I realize my results may be better than the norm although there are others on this forum who are pleased with their Symfony results.

I should say my surgeries were 3 years ago and at that time Symfony was the latest on the market. Since then there is now the trifocal PanOptic which has become available which promise better near vision.

Wow, so you were able to read within 24h? That's amazing...

I am a bit confused here: my doctor said he would implant multifocals, then I got the lens id cards after the surgery and I noticed they were edof. So either the two are the same thing, or the doctor misspoke. The official website seems to list two separate categories.

Also, would you mind me asking if you are on a computer screen a lot for work? If so, did you continue work after the operation?

tecnis edof = symfony is better than their tecnis multifocal which is really a bifocal in the US. In Europe and Australia/NZ tecnis now has Synergy which is supposedly a trifocal/edof mix but gives more natural near vision.

i cannot read with symfony even 2 years after surgery. and PCO has only made it worse.

I'm really sorry to hear you cannot read after 2 years. Hopefully your next lens will fix that.

I cannot read either - in the sense that I don't see clearly, although I can descifre text on pages at arm's length distance, like through a wet glass. I have read a few dozen pages this way but it's not at all confortable.

How close can you see clearly? How good is you intermediary / computer distance.

computer distance was good for but +1.25 reader made it comfortable. it is now impacted due to PCO. i could read cell phone at arms length immediately after surgery but would need +2.5 reader to see HD video on fone.

i would like a trifocal for the next eye and i am OK to give up night driving.

hi Kutez - the doctor either misspoke or was confusing. Symfony are definitely edof IOLs.

I am on a computer most of my day for work and main reason I went for the Symfony IOLs. They excel at that distance. For me to see nearer than that a definite bonus. I use readers to see fine print like on labels or if lighting not optimal when I am doing a lot of reading.

I took a week off after each surgery as my eyes were done 6 weeks a part. Canada since the the surgeries are covered under medicare (if diagnosed with cataracts) I paid only the upcharge between a monofocal and efof (came to $900 per IOL). The 5 additional weeks after each surgery was a little touch. I made do with poking the lens out of my glasses. Not ideal but manageable. I had very little swelling and the drops didnt bother me much. I wore the eye shield for about 2 weeks at night after each surgery. I rub my eyes a lot and didnt want to do that unknowingly while asleep.

Everyone is different though in the healing process. Some have more swelling or are affected by the drops and it can take 6 weeks or whenever drop regiment is over to see well.

I have not gotten pco yet but suspect at one point I will. Thought my left eye had it but turns out I have another condition unrelated to cataracts (epiretinal membrane). Waiting to see a retina specialist - could be a long wait. already been waiting 7 months. Left eye sees blurry and lines are wavy. Thankfully with both eyes open I do not notice it.

I just came back from the doctor. Healing is normal, lenses are fixed properly.

In a month I will know if I need reading glasses. Seems like I'm in a minority of people who have issues with visual acuity after one month.

He said in a month we should know if I need reading glasses.

I'm on a computer too most of the day. I can read the screen about 30% closer than 2 weeks ago when I first posted here. It's not yet clear or consistent, but that's how I've worked for the past month. I started with the scren at 40in immediately post-op, and can now see with about the same acuity (about 85%) at 27in.

Hoping improvements will continue..

Thanks for sharing your experience, Sue.An2, it brings some hope.

Glad things are improving. Really feel for people who have a goal of being glasses free - i think the surgeons are not always honest about outcomes. Although if all goes well it can be hood without glasses but they should not guarantee it.

How is driving at night?

I haven't driven too much at night, but it seems bearable, despite the halos.

I didn't drive at night before either, so that's not much of an issue for me.

I am troubled that the doctor didn't ask more questions about my interests. He only asked me what I do for work. He would have learned that reading is one of my major interests... 😦

at this time they should really be implanting trifocals in younger folks requesting lens exchange.

These days onus seems on the buyer to do the research and find right questions to ask. A shame. I know you did this to rid yourself of glasses. Mist find after cataract surgery they are required for at least fine print or distance .

So why are trifocals better? I remember seeing a younger guy review his experience and he had trifocals - was almost instantly able to read close-up. What are the best options currently for trifocals?

Yes, that's what I realized when it was already too late...

I wonder how common and risky an undertaking it is to have one or two lenses exchanged at one point.

trifocals give most people good reading vision. good intermediate and good distance. i dont think edof is achieving that for most people. certainly not for me and you. the trifocals gaps are at distances we normally dont use frequently.

if in US panoptix is the only trifocal. it is good from 40cm out. this is 16 inches out.

tecnis synergy is edof and monofocal mix. it is good from 33cm. this is 13 inches out.

zeiss lisa is 40cm and 80cm. panoptix intermediate is at 60cm.

the fact that it is not common to go through lens replacement should tell you something. Most don't unless the risk outweighs the benefit. Certainly not to improve near vision if glasses or contacts correct that. There would have to be a gross error in power calculation, one of the haptics outside the bag, etc to go for an IOL exchange.

what you say is true but i might do it.

unfortunately u r only 36 so your pupils are still large. there is a direct correlation of smaller pupils and good near vision. that's why eyhance and vivity get good near vision to those with smaller pupils. i have large pupils. not only is my near vision terrible but i even see the lens edge at night.

You would not be the first to. Whatever you decide wishing you good results soks.