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48, no cataract, eyesight good and bad - Having second thoughts about multifocal IOL

Posted , 7 users are following.

pt68410
pt68410

Hi,

I've booked a lens replacement operation for later this month (I was advised on multifocal lenses for both eyes) but having paid the deposit I've now been told that my left eye distance vision will become less good after the op.

Also, I am a full-time computer programmer, and I often cycle in heavy traffic at night. I found out just recently that both these things are considered by some as a reason to avoid multifocal IOLs.

I am 48 and was motivated by the idea of being able to work, read and see my children's faces up close (not blurry) without glasses and I'm starting to think I may be making a mistake. It's a big decision. As I'm dealing with a private firm I can't be sure they're putting my best interest ahead of making a sale when they talk to me.

I don't have cataracts and my prescription is:

     Sph     Cyl    Axis   Add

Right +2.25 -1.50 90 1.00

Left +0.75 -0.25 120 1.00

  1. Should I consider a different lens configuration? Should I just pull out?
  2. Are the concerns about night driving and about sustained, focused computer work justified when it comes to multifocal lenses?
  3. Is it fair to say that a beautiful landscape will become slightly less beautiful?

I would love to hear your opinions.

Also if you had a similar prescription before getting IOL - how did it work out for you?

Thanks,

PT

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Bookwoman
    Bookwoman pt68410

    Edited

    In a word, don't do it. Read some of the issues people on this forum have had with multifocal lenses. No matter which lens you choose, you will probably need glasses for at least some tasks. And you are performing unnecessary surgery on your eyes. If and when you develop cataracts will be the time to replace your natural lenses, not before.

  • RonAKA
    RonAKA pt68410

    Edited

    My suggestion is to wait until you have cataracts before going ahead with an IOL. Search around this site for experiences with the multifocal lenses like the PanOptix and Synergy. They do have issues and especially at night. You will see much better with eyeglass or contacts corrected natural eyes.

    .

    One thing you might want to consider is mini-monovision with contacts if you want to go eyeglasses free until you get cataracts. Get a contact for your non dominant eye that leaves you -1.5 D myopic, and a contact for the other eye that corrects to plano. That should give you a full range of vision without glasses. The bonus in this is that you will find out if mini-monovision is a solution for you once you do need IOLs. Monovision can give a full range of vision without going to multifocal lenses and their associated issues.

  • Binki
    Binki pt68410

    Edited

    For what it's worth, don't do it! Why have an invasive procedure for an unnecessary situation, just to obviate wearing glasses! 😕

  • Guest
    Guest pt68410

    Edited

    The technology to mimic how a human lens works isn't there yet. Current implants are just a static piece of plastic. They do optical tricks with light splitting and spreading to fake a wider range of focus but they cannot truly change focus. So there are trade-offs between image quality and focus range.

    .

    There ARE lenses in development now that DO attempt to bio-mimic how a real human lens works. The most promising may be the Juvene which is in FDA trials right now. Imagine if you got unnecessary surgery now with multifocals and then 5 years from now there is a quantum leap in lens technology with true focus changing ability and no image quality trade off. I would wait.

  • pt68410
    pt68410

    Edited

    Thanks for your replies, it does seem premature.

    I went into this with the starting idea that it would give me a young person's lens, and the side effects just require some time for the brain getting-used to them, and clearly that's not where the technology is yet.

    Really helps having you contribute. Thank you.

    PT

  • stephen53955
    stephen53955 pt68410

    Posted

    Surgery is a risk and a lot of things can go wrong! I would not have surgery, if I didn't have cataracts or was unable to correct vision with glasses or contacts. Better technology in accommodating IOL design is around the corner, so I'd get a second opinion from a well-respected source not willing to gamble on your sight or simply looking to separate you from your money.

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