Eyeglasses Post Surgery

That's correct. Unfortunately I have tried wearing contacts a few times in the past with no success. The eyes get bloodshot. Don't think the doc will like that. Heard that if you wear contacts before 40, the eyes will adapt. If you try wearing them after 40, the eyes will reject them. I'll settle with mono vision in the IOL eye. Fortunately I don't drive so no problem. It's a new freedom to rid the eyeglasses.

Actually depending on the material of the glasses lens, one can start having vision issues at more than just 1D difference in the eyes.

What always surprised me when I used to get prescription glasses as a backup (I normally used contact lenses) is that a vast majority of the doctors or their assistants never paid any attention to this fact when they prescribed the glasses.  I had to specially request a prescription with smaller difference between the 2 eyes. That provided the best distance vision in only one eye, but for me that was not an issue because I was used to blended vision or monovision.

Up until my right eye cataract started affecting that eye's vision making it more near sighted, my eyes had very close prescriptions, high astigmatism (2.5-2.75D) and slight nearsighted power (-0.75D).

But in the past year or so, with the right eye cataract causing increased nearsightedness (up to -2.50D) the difference between the eyes is now close to the -2D point and I could feel a little strangeness wearing eyeglasses with that much difference.  With just a little less difference I was used to it OK, so I guess how much difference an individual can withstand varies, for me its probably around -1.5D max for comfort.

If my right eye gets corrected near the -0.25D target with little residual astigmatism, then new eyeglasses with the left eye's current Rx (-0.75S -2.00C x178) might work for me since that would be close to an average -1.5D difference, though I would probably try an RGP contact for the left eye as well since I used to wear them for years up until 4 years ago and got excellent vision with them before the cataract.  At least until the right eye heals completely and if it gets a good result, then I would start to think about doing the left eye at some point perhaps before its cataract gets worse enough to need it.

Good info. Thanks.

Right now the difference between the right and left eye with eyeglasses is -400d. Vision is cockeyed. Can't see properly. After I get the other eye done, then I'll make sure the difference is only -1.0d. Good point.

As you pointed out, the staff or maybe even the doctor isn't aware that the -4d difference doesn't work.

Actually, if your right eye gets corrected to -0.25 D and there is any vision balance problem between the 2 eyes (or you just need new glasses), my suggestion will be to just use (0.0-2.00x178) for the left eye. The difference between the 2 eyes will be less and you will have a better intermediate distance vision.

Yes reducing the left eye Rx to 0D may be a good option.

I've actually tested that before with an extra pair of eyeglasses I got over a year ago with that exact Rx for the left eye.

It does work OK for computer distance vision (about 24" or more) and I still get about 20/25 at 20feet distance since I get better than 20/15 with the -0.75D best corrected Rx in that eye.

In fact since that Rx is a plastic full frame, I could easily pop out the right lens in that pair to test it after surgery if the right eye ends up for good distance vision uncorrected.

It is great that you have some good options.