36 and scared: did I messed up my eyes to get rid of glasses?
Posted , 6 users are following.
I went to an ophthalmologist and asked about getting rid of glasses. He suggested laser or IOL (recommended the latter since I'm approaching 40). I went for IOL because he presented it as very matter of fact and routine surgery.
10 days after I had my first eye operated and 6 days after the second eye, here I am scared that I messed up:
- I used to wear glasses all the time, but could read with one eye ok,
- now, I can see in the distance clearly and improving, but everything closer than 40 inches is blurred. I can't see details of my face when I shave, I cannot read, can't read my phone screen, I keep my computer at a distance of 40+ inches (font 20p) to be able to keep working (my work is computer-only)
- I have heard that you will have 90% of your final vision after 1 week. I'm so scared.
- My doctor keeps saying that I should see improvements after 4-5 weeks when healing is complete.
Lenses used:
TECNIS Symfony® IOL (ZXR00)
TECNIS Symfony® Toric IOL (ZXT150)
These lenses, I was reassured, are top of the line, and I was getting the best of the best. This seems to be true from my online research.
- Does anyone have experience with near sight improving over an extended period post-op? I could use some good news.
- Could the doctor have taken incorrect measurements? I mean, he did use machines for those measurements...
- Should I ask for a second medical opinion or wait another month and then see the results?
Needless to say, the quality of my life has strongly deteriorated, and while my expectation was to not need glasses (at least most of the time), I now find myself wondering if I will ever see properly without glasses.
0 likes, 38 replies
W-H kutez
Edited
10 days is way too early to panic.
Sue.An2 kutez
Edited
In reading your post you don't mention cataracts. Was the only reason for lens replacement due to starting to lose your near vision (natural process of aging)?
there is big profit in this type of surgery to correct presbyopia. Although 10 days out from surgery and things can improve as it takes 6 weeks for IOL to completely settle. In that settling process you can become .25 diopter either way (near or farsighted). I have Symfony lenses implanted at 53 due to cataracts in both eyes. Was considered young for cataracts but had no choice as my vision deteriorated to the point driving even daytime was risky . Night worse with glare and halos.
Most are very happy with the visual results after cataract surgery due to the fact our vision deteriorated. Younger patients have better vision and so the quality with IOLs may not be as good as what they had.
Symfony are extended depth of focus lenses and provided good distance and intermediate vision. I was told reading distance would be 18 inches. Fortunately I see closer than that and am satisfied with that.
Sometimes the drops affect peoples vision so it could improve once that is over with and the surgery itself causes dry eye so if you don't have some i recommend buying the artificial tests like Systane.
I wouldn't panic at this point but hopefully you can have a follow up with surgeon to ensure everything is progressing well. At 6 weeks get a full refraction test to see what your prescription is - astigmatism too can cause a bit of blurriness.
Wish you well.
kutez Sue.An2
Posted
@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).
Sue.An2 kutez
Posted
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.
kutez Sue.An2
Edited
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?
soks kutez
Posted
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.
kutez soks
Posted
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.
soks kutez
Posted
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.
Sue.An2 kutez
Posted
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.
kutez Sue.An2
Edited
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.
Sue.An2 kutez
Posted
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?
kutez Sue.An2
Edited
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... 😦
soks kutez
Posted
at this time they should really be implanting trifocals in younger folks requesting lens exchange.
Sue.An2 kutez
Posted
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 .
kutez soks
Posted
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?
kutez Sue.An2
Posted
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.
soks kutez
Posted
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.
Sue.An2 kutez
Posted
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.
soks Sue.An2
Edited
what you say is true but i might do it.
soks kutez
Posted
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.
Sue.An2 soks
Posted
You would not be the first to. Whatever you decide wishing you good results soks.