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Catarac lens selection

Posted , 7 users are following.

goatfarmer
goatfarmer

Recent eye exam to re-new prescription glasses, diagnosed with beginning cataract in left eye. Ophthalmologists scheduled surgery but I am faced with the dilemma whether to select the Custom Lens, at an additional cost, vs the Standard lens. Got the impression the Doctor incline to suggest the premium lens? If younger it would not be an issue however at the age of 74 not clear if there will be presenting issues with aging and whether premium lens would be the best option? 

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • jantje32476
    jantje32476 goatfarmer

    Posted

    Agree with the others that age should not be an issue, if one is healthy and can afford it.  On the day of my cataract Op, while we were waiting at hospital for our turn, one patient said he was 85 and opted for premium lens.  Depending on where you live in the US, a premium lens costs US$2,700 to US$3,500.  In Canada, a private surgery is in the low C$4000 per eye (premium lens) including surgeon's fee and laser enhancement if required.

    • goatfarmer
      goatfarmer jantje32476

      Posted

      Thank you for responding to my question. I have been given a cost of $225 for the examination to determine if the left eye vision can be corrected with a premium lens, $800 for the cost of the lens, and $2200 for the surgery. It would seem by improving the vision in 1 eye would present an issue with the other eye and eventually require lens replacement. The patient forum has certainly given me food for thought which I intend to present to the Dr. Again, I thank you!
  • Sue.An
    Sue.An goatfarmer

    Posted

    Goatfarmer - lots of good advice.  The only other comments I can add (I have 2 Symfony IOLs) is that although premium lenses are options that allow one to be glasses free most of the time, they do come with a trade-off of your night vision.  More glare and halos than standard monofocal lenses.  Symfony for me have less glare at night but I do see multiple concentric rings around certain light sources (red traffic lights, cars when brakes applied, certain LED lights).  I do know commercial pilots cannot choose a mumtifocal or EDOF lens due to night vision compromise.   

    I do drive at night but if I drove for a living I likely would have made a different decision.  

    A lot of people consider a mini monovision approach with standard monofocals where one eye (usually dominant) is targeted for distance and the other eye for intermediate.  This gives more range and people generally only use glasses for reading.  

    Good luck to you and take your time before deciding as there are many considerations.

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