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Informing my decision re: 1st cataract surgery (70.5 y/o male)

Posted , 6 users are following.

sdMexico
sdMexico

First, thank God I found this forum!  The seemingly millions of posts have been helpful to me...so THANK YOU ALL.

I am only needing to have IOL placement in one (right) eye.  (I am not sure how you know or find out WHICH eye is your DOMINANT eye?)

I don't drive or play golf or even enjoy sunsets, so distance vision is what I will correct with glasses. 

I believe it is therefore logical for me to get a NEAR-focused monofocal IOL for this surgery.  The first opthalmologist I went to said, "No, you can't.  You can only correct far distance vision and then used glasses for near vision."  So, I am pretty sure I won't be asking her to do the surgery.  The left eye, I am told, is not "ready" for surgery that is not necessary.

Four questions for the forum readers/experts!

1)  Am I correct in assuming that correcting near vision with monofocal IOL will work?  Then I will eventually get glasses (which I have always worn and don't mind always wearing till the end) for distance vision and for the near vision if the IOL monofocal doesn't correct that perfectly.

2)  I can now see with both eyes (even without glasses on) better at distances than I can close up.  So, I intuit that this means that I am FARSIGHTED, not myopic (does that last term = nearsighted?).  But the terms' meanings are not clear in my mind.  I understand from reading the posts that I will "lose" this far vision if I correct with near-focused monovision IOL.  BUT, am I correct in assuming that post-surgery the eyeglass prescription lenses will restore my ability to see at far distances to as well as the glasses do currently?

3) From some of the posts about computer and phone use, it appears that with IOL correction of NEAR vision, you really cannot see CLOSE UP (say, 10-20 cms or 1 foot, more or less).  If that is true, doesn't it mean that I will therefore have to have progressive prescription eyeglasses even after the surgery in order to see very close up, like medicine bottles- labels?

4) I did not see this question in the forum:  Why couldn't I just get the cataracts removed and have a clear IOC implanted, in which case, of course, I would just continue to use progressive (or bifocal) eyeglasses for near and far vision purposes (as now), without the cataracts that make all vision less clear?

Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences relative to this questions!

Stan - Mexico City

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • ed72320
    ed72320 sdMexico

    Posted

    Hola Stan:

    I'm only qualified to wish you good luck and perhaps advise that you do what you need to do to find an excellent eye surgeon.

    I'm going in for cataract surgery this Wednesday and the following Wednesday;  I'm confident that my surgeon will do an excellent job.

    I've tried to do my due diligence, but the topic is a complex one.  I marvel at posters who seemed to have researched every detail, but at the end of the day, it's an excellent surgeon with years of experience who is most likely to deliver the outcome you wish.

    All the best to you, Stan.

    Cheers,

    Ed

  • Sue.An
    Sue.An sdMexico

    Posted

    Hi Stan - not sure how qualified I would be either.   Just have my own experience to go by and reading online and these forums.  Not sure if only one eye has a cataract and needs doing that dominant vs non dominant eye really matters.  There have been studies that say it doesn't matter - your eyes will adjust.  Particularly in younger patients.  My own experience with doing tests that my left eye was dominant but turns out it was because cataract worse in right eye.  I had a 6 week between surgeries and as soon as right eye had surgery it took over.

    If I were you and only one eye needed surgery I would choose an IOL for distance.  An aspheric monofocal (if you were leaning towards those vs paying for premium IOL) should provide distance and intermediate vision.  See Nina's post about that for more info. you should get useful vision from 2 feet and beyond.  And if you do not drive and nighttime glare/halos come into play and you have the funds you could consider a Symfony lens.  I have those and do not need glasses at all.  Some with Symfony require Symfony for fine print like on pill bottles.

    Even if you don't drive or enjoy sunsets most surgeons will want to provide you with good distance vision.  Targeting for near if power is off somewhat could leave you with less useful vision and needing glasses for several distances.

    Again these are only my opinions.  Do your due diligence and read, seek out a good surgeon even if you have to get a few consultations.  One thatbwill dialogue and explain is better.  Be open - I too thought I'd prefer near as I was young for cataract surgery and had good near vision .  Basically I wanted to keep with what I had always known.  Remember that once surgery is over whatever vision you used to have in that eye has changed to whatever the IOL power and lens is.

    Good luck!

  • Sue.An
    Sue.An sdMexico

    Posted

    Sorry should have stated some with Symfony IOLs require glasses for fine print like pill bottles.  
    • sdMexico
      sdMexico Sue.An

      Posted

      Oh, well, back to the drawing board!

      An aspheric monofocal for distance and intermediate vision sounds logical, and in that case, I will still need to have glasses for closer vision.  Is that correct in your experience?  Not prepared to pay for premium versions as there is just the added uncertainty about halo's. 

      I will try to access Nina's comments!

      Many thanks, SueAn

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An sdMexico

      Posted

      If you are wanting the least possible chance of glare and halos the answer is yes.  Can't say based on my own experience as I did opt for premium lenses (Symfony).  Although in Canada surgery was covered regardless of lens I chose so my total out of pocket for 2 eyes was $1,800.  Not sure I would have been willing to pay $2,500 USD per eye to get these.  And to be honest didn't fully comprehend that an aspheric monofocal would give me distance and any useful intermediate vision.  Which is why I suggested reaching out to Nina as she just had one implanted about 3 weeks ago and considering options for 2nd eye.

      Best of luck to you.

  • janet1974
    janet1974 sdMexico

    Posted

    sdMexico

    Isn't this forum crazy amazing? The two most valuable pieces of information for me have been:

    1)  Cataract surgery is a procedure that has become nearly routine with complications that are more an exception than a rule. Additionally, the great majority of complications are relatively easy to correct. 

    2) Laser/LASIK (I still don't know the difference) centers seem to be popping up in countless strip malls and on street corners  all across the country. "Buy one eye and get half off the second"; "Buy One Get One", etc., are ads that could be playing a part in the growing nonchalance toward certain procedures. Which, in my case anyway, meant throwing too much caution into the wind!

    There is so much knowledge in this group, I'm certain you'll get the help you need! Wish you all the best!

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