After disappointing result Vivity implant in one eye, I got Vivity for my other eye and ...
Posted , 4 users are following.
As I documented in several forum posts last year, the result from my first Vivity implant was far from what I expected.
Aside from the fact that the lens power was off (nearsighted 0.5-0.75, from the target of plano), everything was very blurry for the first 2-3 weeks—at all distances. All the reports I heard from people seeing 20/20 the next day sounded like a fantasy. Fortunately, after ~2 months and a new pair of progressive eyeglasses things got better, the blurriness went away, and I adjusted to the new lens—although I was disappointed that I needed glasses for driving and watching tv and reading.
I took my time and asked a lot of questions on this forum and talked with two other ophthalmologists about the lens selection for my other eye. As always, this forum (and @RonAKA in particular) were very helpful in pointing out the pros/cons of the lens selection and target for the second eye.
In the end, I stayed with my original surgeon because, aside from the refractive surprise, he was super nice and helpful/understanding as I went through the "much slower than usual" recovery. He had also done surgery for several friends and neighbors and they all had very good results.
As for lens selection, I decided to double down on Vivity because—once it settled in—I was quite happy with the extended depth of field. In fact, aside from the refractive error, I found the range of the Vivity to be very useful/practical.
My bet was that if the doctor nailed the target of plano with the second lens I would be achieving the desired goal of not needing glasses from ~18" to distance.
So, with fingers crossed, I again selected Vivity with a target of plano. And I believe the Dr hit the target this time.
To make a long story short, the second surgery went exactly like the fairytale outcomes I've heard. Less than a week after the second surgery, my two eyes work great together.
In fact, I was seeing clearly and sharp by the next evening! No more glasses to watch TV or drive—HURRAY! I can also work at the computer for hours with no glasses and no fatigue. Everything looks nice and sharp.
In a pinch/emergency, I can even type/read stuff on my iPhone—if I extend my arm enough, but I was expecting that and I have no issue needing glasses for reading and other closeup work.
In summary, I am very happy with my choice of Vivity. I still don't know why my first surgery required such a long recovery, but I am delighted that the second time around I got to experience what so many other people told me: a quick recovery and 20/20.
Thank you to all who have commented and helped me after the rather depressing and stressful first surgery, and best wishes to all who are about to undergo their surgery.
Randy
0 likes, 5 replies
RonAKA RandallG
Edited
It is good to hear that your second surgery went better for you. Now you have a micro-monovision solution with Vivity lenses. You may get away with just the occasional use of reading glasses only.
RandallG RonAKA
Posted
Thank you, Ron. "Double up with Vivity" was one of your suggestion—also echoed by one of the opthalmologists.
For reading, it's more than OCCASIONAL use of reading glasses. Unless I am in bright light and dealing with relatively big font, I do need glasses ... but I'll take it. It's where I was before cataract and my myopic shift.
Thank you again for all the advice and suggestions—it really helped!
Randy
RonAKA RandallG
Posted
"For reading, it's more than OCCASIONAL use of reading glasses."
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Yes, that is my concern for those that attempt mini-monovision with only a 0.5 to 0.75 D offset with the Vivity. It is not really enough for true reading vision. I appreciate that this was not your intention when getting into this, but you at least got good distance vision and some reading in the end. When you get a miss you have to make the best of it.
paul69633 RandallG
Posted
Three days ago I had a Vivity planted in my dominant right eye. Day two was a fog until that evening.
Today I'm seeing distance very well but the computer screen is not clear and I can hardly read this font size. I'm hoping after healing another week things will improve. One thing I notice is that when viewing a sheet of white paper it is truly white. In my other eye it appears to have a yellow cast because of the cataract.
Guest RandallG
Posted
I remember reading all your posts last fall. If was a little distressing. A little disappointing that you still ended up so myopic in the first eye but it must be thrilling that the second eye nailed distance for you and made up for it and you're not mostly glasses free. Really good to hear!