Cataract surgery

Yes, my better half has 'volunteered' for that task lol

Good!!!!!

All the best.

Best of luck to you tomorrow. Hear your disappointment the golf. I was told just no lifting of anything over 10lbs and no strenuous exercise. Walking would be fine but no running. Surprised you have to wait to play golf for 4 weeks. Yes summers are short in Canada!

Thanks Sue,

That's what the nurse told me, I'm going to check with my consultant tomorrow 

Had to go out and buy a pair of reading glasses so I could type this lol.

There were 4 of us in the queue for surgery but we had to wait until the afternoon when a emergency came in. I got mine done about 3pm.

Surgery was very quick, I got wheeled into the pre-op theatre and my right eye was cleaned with antiseptic.

Then I was wheeled into the theatre and a paper canopy put over my face and a hole cut in it to expose my right eye. After that all I felt was a sharp prick, a couple of buzzing sounds and then the canopy was being removed. I actually thought something was wrong and they had stopped the procedure but the surgeon said 'that's it finished', couldn't have been more than 15 minutes all in.

After surgery all the patients from that day were wheeled up to the same ward to await our meds and instructions, so we all had a good gossip. Although I had a shield over the eye I was trying to peek through it to see how my vision was, I'll admit I was a bit disappointed at first because I could see clearly nearby objects but distance was blurred, I kind of thought I had been left myopic when we were aiming for distance as I know it's not an exact science. However, today when I got up I can now see well at distance and not so well near.

so far so good and I've not had to take any painkillers.

Fingers crossed!

Glad to hear it went well. I just got my surgery date today for July 10.

What sort of lens did you get. I am still debating between Symfony and a monofocal. Need to make decision some time soon.

Hope your recovery is speedy and no complications.

Hi Sue,

I got a monofocal set for distance. This was a no-brainer for me, in the UK you can only get monofocal lenses from the NHS. I did ask about multi focal lenses but would have had to go private, I would have done this but my right eye has other issues stemming from a retinal detachment in February which left me with some visual effects in that eye, the consultant said I wouldn't benefit from a premium lens in that eye.

I'm trialing a contact lens for near distance in my left (good) eye and will see if I can cope with a near monofocal in that eye when I go back to my consultant in 4 weeks time. What's worrying me about going down that route is that once it's in it's there for life.

best of luck with your choices 

Thanks James. I am in Canada and only monofocal lenses are covered. The premium lens would be an additional cost here too although surgery itself is covered by Medicare.

Wish the choice was easier. As someone here mentioned most of the comments are from those who have had complications or people like mysel pre-op looking for feedback. Thought it would be more like Trip Advisor where people are glad to share good and bad experiences.

Best of luck to you with recovery. Thanks

re: "Thought it would be more like Trip Advisor"

I think the difference is partly that most people just go with what their doctor says. These days most folks don't use travel agents, and even when they did they likely weren't granted as much trust as doctors. Many of those who do research are those who are picky and harder to please, which sometimes leads them to be sensitive to any problems afterwards (I'm noting that since many trade publications have surgeons suggesting they steer clear of premium IOLs for such patients). Others do just wish to research of course to get the best option, and then are prepared to accept whatever outcome, hoping for the best. 

 

RE: Many of those who do research are those who are picky and harder to please, which sometimes leads them to be sensitive to any problems afterwards .... Others do just wish to research of course to get the best option, and then are prepared to accept whatever outcome, hoping for the best?.

???In my experience the picky ones are fewer than the earnest fact seekers(they're just louder).   Most people researching are simply looking for answers to find the best possible solution and avoid pitfalls.  I used the Trip Advisor analogy because there are many who use sites like Expedia to book hotel but never bother to check on their reservation with the hotel only to wind up annoyed that the hotel gave away their room (having arrived at midnight) then broadcast their unhappy results on Trip Advisor.  However an IOL selection isn't like other decisions that one chalks up to Trial & Error that you learn from.  This is in't paint on a wall that you easily scrape off and repaint.  lt's pretty permanent and to exchange it involves a greater risk. 

I was completely blindsided with this diagnosis of cataracts.  They developped very quickly.  I have no one in my family to go to as my parents still don't have to have cataract surgery, so the internet has been my place to start and I am very thankful to have found this site to dialogue with others on this same journey I find myself in.  I have just under 2 months to go to surgery and I am quite frankly very fearful of making the wrong choice.  I don't consider myself picky however I am cautious by nature.  If all things were equal and I didn't have to pay out of pocket for premium lenses I guess whatever comprises there are would be easier to accept.  I have thought a lot more these past 2 weeks about what I want as an outcome.  It's been like that game "would you rather...." where either option isn't great.  I do know I have at least another 10 years working full time (80% of my time is spent in front of a computer screen).   I am a soccer mom who loves to watch my child play in the premier division - which involves a fair amount of night driving year round.

?Question for any of you who have the symfony lens already - when you speak of concentric circles and glare - would you notice them watching a soccer match (or football, baseball) around the field lighting?  Would it impact my viewing of the game?  Most of our matches are played at night (exception tournaments).  It would devastate me to not be able to enjoy that. Working is another consideration - with so much computer work - Symfony lens seems a better fit for me than a monofocal lens.  They seem to be great daytime lenses - however not sure I want to compromise night time driving (or lol compromise others due to flash of blindness).

?Again, I am just a person looking for answers and wanting to learn from your experiences.  All the data, studies, probabilities aren't helpful in my decision making.  Guess it is a little like my dad's definition of a recession versus a depression (I was little at the time).  He said recession is when your neighbor is out of a job / a depression is when you are out of a job.   Statistics are like recessions,   And maybe (lol) I just didn't do so well in math class.

? “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”?  I am hoping that I won't lose the ability to see the stars.....

Hi Sue,

I agree with much of what you say and is partly the reason why I came on the forum to note my progress with the surgery for good or bad.

So far I'm happy with the vision from the monofocal lens, I was out last night walking the dog and I have got the starburst effect, in fact it's more of a light streak diagonally going from 8 to 2. It's too soon to tell if it's going to bother me long term, I haven't tried driving yet so I'll post my thoughts once I've been out in the car.

On a more positive note, I've been trying out a monovision experience using a -4 contact lens in my left eye (I'm normally -6 in that eye) and I'm very pleased in that I can see my watch and tablet pc very well and my distance is also good from the operated eye. I also tried both eyes for distance and can't see either my watch, smartphone or tablet pc without readers.

If all else was equal I would definitely  go for the monovision option. In my case however I've got more problems in my right eye following a retina detachment in February which, although I have good central vision, I get a lot of weird image artefacts from the retinal surgery in my peripheral vision.

Unfortunatley we are all different and what works for some won't for others. If you can tolerate contact lenses I would recommend you try out both the monovision options and multifocal contacts to see if you can tolerate the compromises.

As always best of luck with your decision 

Thanks James for your post. You're right about one solution not been a fit for all. I used to wear contact lenses 15 or so years ago pretty much exclusively how found my eyes didn't tolerate after birth of my child (eyes seemed drier and they got irritated). But gives me food for thought to see if a mini monovision would an option. Other consideration I am looking at is a good monofocal for one eye (distance) and a Symfony in the other eye. This might give me a better chance should I experience glare/halos with Symfony lens that my night vision would be better. Don't know how balanced I would feel.

I am not sure which of my eyes is my dominant eye. Thinking it may actually be my left one and I am right handed. Cataract is a little worse in my right eye so both need doing so likely won't wait long between surgeries. Will depend on surgeon's recommendation. Is dominant eye usually set for distance?

I also suffer from migraines and get motion sickness easily so will not want to make those worse by not having a balance issue with my vision.

I have one more pre-op appointment with my surgeon in a minth's time so compiling my questions now as I will need to make the decision then - especially if I want a Symfony lens as the hospital requires advance payment several weeks ahead.

Thanks James - continue to update us all with your experiences. I am appreciative.

re: "I used to wear contact lenses 15 or so years ago pretty much exclusively how found my eyes didn't tolerate after birth of my child (eyes seemed drier and they got irritated)"

Contacts have improved quite a bit since then, there are disposable contacts that may be more comfortable for those with dry eyes, including multifocal contacts.

re: "fearful of making the wrong choice"

That is understandable, but I'd suggest remembering that wrong choices can be corrected in this case. If you decide you made  the "wrong choice" of IOL then a lens exchange can be done. If you decide you made the "wrong choice" of where to have your eye focus at, then that can be adjusted with laser, or you can wear correction. 

Although I know you say probabilities aren't something that are useful to you, the odds are extremely high you will be happy with *any* choice you make. The vast majority of people are happy with their results, its merely a question of some being happier than others. 

Unfortunately it is a matter of trading off less than perfect options, which involves considering odds since nothing is guaranteed. The odds are for instance with a monofocal set for distance that you won't have good near vision, but a very tiny subset of people (including one who has posted on this site) get some reading vision even. Its just not something to expect.

It  is pretty much guaranteed you'll have less of a range of vision with the Symfony than a monofocal just due to the physics involved (that person with some near with a monofocal would have had even more with the Symfony), but side effects are a matter of odds. 

re: "All the data, studies, probabilities aren't helpful in my decision making."

Its understandable that for someone not into math that they might not seem useful, but unfortunately anecdotes can only provide limited guidance. Everyone's results differ, so you don't know from reading them which anecdote will be like  your results. Its only the odds that tell you what is most likely.

re: "(or lol compromise others due to flash of blindness)."

Although its only 1 person's anecdotes, I find myself being less blinded by headlights at night with the Symfony than I did even pre-cataract. I have less disability glare, less dazzle glare, from headlights so they don't cause as much trouble seeing the surrounding scene. That makes up for the translucent mild halos so on balance I see much better at night than I ever did before. 

re: "I was completely blindsided with this diagnosis of cataracts."

I know the feeling, no one in my family has had them while I've been alive, and appearing at age 49 it was disconcerting to be hit with something I thought only the very elderly got.  I tend to be the sort that sometimes researches things to death to make the best choice, but then not be picky with the outcome afterwards.  So I take risks, but educated ones. 

re: "cautious by nature"

Each person does need to factor in their own risk tolerance, it may be that if you can deal with wearing correction, that a monofocal is the easiest choice and to just be prepared to need to wear correction.

 I considered the high odds of good results for decades to be worth the low risk of needing a lens exchange. However as you indicate, you don't tend to think about issues in the same fashion, which does limit how much I can say of use. I have a higher tolerance for risk than many, so what was best for me may not be for others. I've been skydiving, white water rafting, etc, so obviously my risk tolerance is different. In other realms I've  taken risks like being a freelance consultant, starting tech businesses (higher risk than standard businesses). Then again, in areas I don't care about like clothing  or decor, I just go for the "safe" conservative bland approach and don't bother with risks, it depends on the person what they are comfortable with.

 

Re:  Unfortunately it is a matter of trading off less than perfect options, which involves considering odds since nothing is guaranteed.

?That is very true - some sort of compromise is something in this short time since diagnosis is something I must accept.   Is the money you spend with one choice worth the trade off if satisfaction cannot be achieved is another thing.   A bit more thought and research would naturally go into that decision.

?I don't totally discount studies and science however I am aware that greed and fame of corporations have their own bias when those pre FDA approval studies are done.   Studies that can be done post FDA approval certainly carry much more weight for me.   And since there is not enough time till my surgery to view those studies what people have to say after the implants do confirm or negate original findings. If you disagree then I wonder why so many surgeons have not wanted to push the mutlifocal lenses and are excited about the Symfony IOLs?  Obviously those surgeons will continue to be excited to offer Symfony or they will fall into same category as mutlifocals if time and patient dissatisfaction tell them so.  Yes perhaps only those with unhappy experiences post online (hoping not all).  I have since reached out in my community network  to see if I can have a chat with someone who has chosen to go with the Symfony lenses who would never think to post online.   I have in fact found someone willing to discuss their experience.  The Symfony lens in my part of Canada ony started being implanted Dec 2016  The person I will chat with was one of the first to have received it and would now be several months from the operation.  I will certainly want to ask about their night visiion.

?Softwaredev I am sure we are polar opposites in our philosophy of life - not that there is anything wrong with that - pretty boring world if we were all the same..  I have always gone the road most travelled jobwise, investment wise, etc.  And even "playing it safe" I have lived through some experiences that I couldn't predict or prevent but through the struggle perhaps gained something more valuable.  Sometimes where math and science end - you realize how little in control you are.  Some interesting quests come out of being in that place.  It may even rock your foundations of belief and set you on a different course. 

Re: Although I know you say probabilities aren't something that are useful to you, the odds are extremely high you will be happy with *any* choice you make.

So hoping that the "odds will forever be in your favor" and it will be a storm in a teacup when all is said and done.   If I can still love and participate in my family's life and in the community I live, I will be happy with that.

?I wish you well softwaredev and I hope you wish me well as I grapple with the right choice for me.  I honestly havén't made up my mind yet.  There is no need in these forums to grandstand or put anyone else down for their views or lack of knowledge.  For some, I totally get that studies and statistics help them most in making decisions - for others sometimes their "heart" has to be convinced.   We all have different personalities and different ways in which we connect.  Having forums like these to share experiences and feel supported in some way by others is a marvelous thing.

?If I may be so bold, I wonder why you have a need to convince people so much - particularly if you say people are happy despite the choice of lens.  Some people can't afford a premium lens even if they wanted them.  That has struck me today and feel very fortunate and thankful just to have the opportunity to be able to consider either.      

?

re: "Studies that can be done post FDA approval certainly carry much more weight for me."

The Symfony was approved in Europe in June  2014, so there have been continuing studies since then. I was a fairly early adopter, getting it in December 2014, so I've paid attention since then both to see out of curiosity "did I make the right bet, or should I have gotten a trifocal?" and to know what to tell others.  

Were there major issues, competing lens companies would have incentive to point them out. Although there may be some incentive for companies to bias studies, surgeons don't tend to wish to ruin their reputations if later results contradict them. They  can always do studies for other companies, so the incentive for them to cheat is limited. 

At the moment its mostly issues like laser cataract surgery where the data is on the fence that I'd be cautious about subconcious bias playing a part since it doesn't take much to tilt things slightly in one direction or the other. I didn't choose laser, despite being an early adopter, since it didn't seem worth even the small cost difference, rather than sticking with what the surgeon had the most experience with. 

 

re: "people are happy despite the choice of lens"

People can be even happier potentially with a different choice.. or not, it depends on each person's needs. Just because they are happy with a monofocal doesn't mean they wouldn't have been happier with another option. I was happy with contact lenses pre-surgery, though based on my reading since then,  if I'd looked into it I might have been even happier if I'd had LASIK.

  I'd been fighting off the impact of presbyopia with multifocal contacts before surgery, and the thought of suddenly losing all the rest of my near vision at age 49 when diagnosed was a shock. Enough of a shock that  I put off surgery 2.5 years hoping the US would approve a trifocal or another better IOL, and eventually giving up and going abroad and deciding on the Symfony instead. If I'd gotten monofocals set for distance, I'd have felt even older I suspect, constantly needing to worry about correction. Instead its felt like my vision rolled back to a few years younger and can get away without wearing correction for the first time.   I figured as I age I'll start having enough age related things to deal with, its nice to have one thing that is hopefully not going to get worse with age (unless I develop some other eye condition).

Admittedly I'd have likely done fairly well with monovision correction also, though I suspect not as well, it might impact jogging/hiking on rocky trails for instance. One of my eyes was left slightly hyperopic, +0.5D, which means that my very near is like monovision since its from one eye, and if something blocks my good eye the difference is very noticeable, and with a monofocal would have been even moreso.

 It just seems a shame for people to perhaps not consider this option seriously if they are scared off by negative comments that aren't put in proper perspective.

re: "can't afford a premium lens even if they wanted them"

In even more unfortunate cases, there are poor parts of the world where people don't even have surgery, millions of people blind from untreated cataracts around the world. So I figure those who can take advantage of how fortunate they are should get decent information to consider doing so.

re: "?If I may be so bold, I wonder why you have a need to convince people so much"

My concern isn't convincing people of what to do, but seeing them have useful information to make their choice. Each person's preferences are different. It may be that being cautious its best for you to avoid a premium IOL, only you can decide that.

My concern is correcting those who post things based on misunderstandings of science and studies, not wishing to see others make decisions based on misleading information. Its also a concern that people realize that the information they see online is skewed, that anecdotes aren't a substitute for studies. Although the Symfony or trifocals or other options aren't right for everyone, it would be a shame for people to steer clear of them based on skewed impressions of what typical results are like. It is important though to realize they are a risk, that anyone who gets them has a change, even if small, of being the "statistic" that needs a lens exchange. 

I've been concerned with anti-science attitudes and junk science for decades, e.g. even back in high school subscribing to Skeptical Inquirer to pay attention to folks trying to counter that trend. So my reactions are based on that general issue being a pet concern of mine.