My Symfony IOL results, 2018
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi,
I wanted to post this thread to add to the discussion about Symfony IOLs.
So far I am very happy.
I had my right eye surgery yesterday, for a worsening cataract in my Right Eye which was effecting my vision enough to make me want to proceed. The plan is do also operate on my left eye next week to provide balanced vision since the left eye cataract is not that bad.
I am 53 and have worn glasses since I was about 10. I am near sighted and now have presbyopia for which I have been using progressive lens for the past 5 years. I have a very mild astigmatism in my right eye, but not enough to require a Toric lens.
Enough for a starter, since when I tried to start this thread yesterday it was blocked pending approval by the Moderator? My post on The Full Moon and Effects of Radiation on eye surgery were posted immediately, so I don't understand why that thread is held up.
Mike
1 like, 33 replies
Aronis
Posted
Now on to specifics.
My prior vision had a correction in the Right eye of about -6 diopters and left eye about -5 and had a contact prescription for -5 left and -5.5 right (different from eye glasses). My latest left eye contact prescription is -4.0.
My right eye implant is a Symfony ZXR00 +13.0D.
The first day my vision was Bright and Blurry as expected. The process involved 4 rounds of eye drops in pre op hold, followed by a trip to the Laser Room. I was given a valium orally to start off and recall the laser room well. After that I had IV sedation so I recall nothing from the OR suite.
The laser process involves centering your eye on the laser and applying a few drops and then the laser is butted against the eye with some mild pressure. The cutting took 20 seconds as the nurse counted it down in the background. You see 5 bright lights with a red dot in the center. Focused around the 5 dots of white light you'll see concentric circles as the laser cuts. The process was painless and quick.
After surgery I could not focus with the right eye at all as expected. By the time I got home it was time for a round of drops. There is an anti-inflammatory drop, Ilevro, an antibiotic, Vigamox, and a steroid, Prednisolone. The Ilevro is once daily for two weeks, the antibiotic is four times daily for one week (each eye) and the steroids are tapered over 5 weeks.
By the evening I could begin to see ok through the right eye, noticing that colors were brighter, particularly blues and the whites were whiter. I could about read the clock on the cable box and see the television 'ok' with my right eye. My left eye (no operative eye) has a yellow cast which of course was 'normal' to me for years.
I deliberately looked at some lights and could see no concentric circles or a halo! Or at least the halo effect was not much different around a bright light as my left eye. I was happy with this.
This morning I could see much better. My close focus is about 18 inches unaided, its' not perfect but I can see the screen on my 11 inch Mac Air well enough to type without the progressive readers. Certainly its much better with the readers. With the left eye contact lens and restored binocular vision its getting pretty good!
Riding to the follow up appointment in daylight I was very happy with the right eye vision, and I know it will get better as the week goes by. My pressures were ok, so no treatment for eye pressure was needed.
Camera use: I can see the internal display on my camera very well unaided and am extremely pleases with this. My understanding is that optically the display in the eye piece of a camera is set to be seen as though focusing your eye at 1 yard, thus I can see the image perfectly and see the numbers perfectly. Better than I have been able to for years.
Fifle Scope: I can see the reticle in my Nikon rifle scope sharply as well as see the image (3.5 to 14 mag). I also can see the holographic display in my EOTech site sharply.
Car displays: Unaided by readers I can see the display in my cars well, even with the left eye not that my contact prescription is correct LOL.
I'll add more later, particular the night sky!
So far very happy with my decision.
Mike
Polyphemos Aronis
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Sue.An Aronis
Posted
I too didn’t see any glare or concentric circles inside - I don’t think that is the ‘norm’ unless lens power is somehow off or there are other eye complications.
Sue.An Aronis
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Aronis Sue.An
Posted
I was wide awake for the laser part, as I described, but once I moved on to the OR, I recall NOTHING and that is just how I like it! Same thing with my thyroid surgery last year. The Nurse Anesthetist made sure I recalled nothing for the thyroid surgery and the anesthesiologist for my eye surgery did the same. After all I have to work with them!
The laser I was told was essential to getting the Symfony implants because of the higher level of precision. Perhaps that is hype. But my understanding is that the laser devision of the cataract results in less post op inflammation.
I'll take a ride in the car tonight to see the night issues!
Mike
Sue.An Aronis
Posted
I think we will eventually have the laser equipment for cataract surgery - they likely already do in bigger provinces. Had mine done by Phacoemulsification. Just glad I had a very skilled surgeon.
Is your plan still to go ahead with 2nd eye next week? Are you having the lenses targeted both for plano?
Aronis Sue.An
Posted
Mike
mary67362 Aronis
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Mike
I'm wondering what regime exactly you had with the steroid eye drops after surgey, especially regarding "tapering"
I had first eye done yesterday.
I have been given antibiotic drops 4 times daily for one week BUT steroid eye drops Maxidex 4 times daily for FIVE WEEKS and then suddenly stop. I always thought steroids should be tapered, so I'm wondering what your oresciption said.
Mary
Aronis
Posted
Just as an aside, I just tried my 'trial' bifocal contact lens in my left eye! WOW, I was shocked.close vision is pretty good, although distant is not as good as with monofocal contact lens.
Mike
Aronis
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Aronis
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Did not drive yet, but since our house is located at a 'y' in the road, oncoming cars point right at my house. I stood out front and looked at oncoming cars (which usually have high beams on) and vision was fine!
Mike
Sue.An Aronis
Posted
Outside was view at night same in both eyes? Glare was bad for me in both eyes due to cataracts so I never could really compare. Glare and starbursts from headlights was strong first 5 or 6 weeks but those subsided.
Aronis
Posted
Tonight drove home from work well after dark. Lots of traffic. Lots of headlights.
It’s not a problem so far. What I have come to understand is that I have been seeing “halos” FOR YEARS.
What I see now through my treated eye are halos that are a bit brighter and more radial than before but the vision is so much better that the halos are not a problem.
Perhaps once my other eye is implanted I may be troubled? But I certainly see halos through my untreated eye too. But those are yellowish and more granular. The area preceived to make up the halo is a bit bigger seen through the treated eye but about the same as I saw before the surgery.
The vision is so much better. I can read license plates from three car lengths or more!!!
Very happy!!!
Mike
Sue.An Aronis
Posted
Yes being able to read license plates again across several lanes is good. Also to read the big green road signs is great too.
Glad your Symfony eye is working well for you. Nice to hear something positive about them.
Night-Hawk Aronis
Posted
Wow - sounds like you got an excellent result so far, congratulations!
You don't see any of the coencentric circles around some lights like car red brake lights at all that other Symfony IOL patients have reported?