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near vision poor after getting Symfony...seeking others' experience

Posted , 66 users are following.

WebDev
WebDev

Hi,

I'm 44 years old and just had the first of two eyes implanted with the new (I'm in the U.S.) Symfony Toric lens, which I've researched extensively and was very eager and excited to get.

Now four days since having the surgery, I'm mostly satisfied: colors are much brighter and more vibrant (and more pinkish, bluish, interestingly), my distance vision is now restored and fine, and I can see pretty well at intermediate distances, i.e. objects are clearly defined all the way in to about 23 inches away, perhaps even 21 inches away in bright light (yes, I notice some degradation in low light, more than I'd expected).

The real issue for me is my near vision, which is much worse than I was expecting. I do know that the Symfony isn't all-around perfect, that e.g. I might expect only 20/32 or so (mean uncorrected near achieved in the U.S. clinical trials). And I know that's just an average, but even the distributions left me hopeful, with 81% of trials patients achieving 20/40 or better (that's monofocally; 96% were better than 20/40 bifocally). Meanwhile, I'm struggling to make out these words as I type, pretty much anything inside of 23 inches is blurry, and in good light I can only make out the 20/80 line (if I really exert myself, I can barely make out, mostly by guessing, some of the 20/60 letters, but mostly they're entirely unrecognizable). I feel as if I could have gotten results like this simply by going with monofocals, and I'm beginning to fear this is as good as it'll get, which is depressing.

Some background facts: Pre-op, I was mildly myopic (-1.75) in this eye and mildly astigmatic (about 0.94 cylinder). Also, at 44 I'd already gotten used to presbyopia, and typically would wear +1.25 readers for near. The specific lens implanted was the ZXT150 +16.5 (1.5 D cylinder). I doubt lens alignment is off, as my distance and intermediate vision feels non-astigmatic. My other eye (right) is scheduled for another Symfony lens 10 days from now.

So, I wonder:

1) Have others had similar experiences, i.e. poorer than expected near vision?

2) Does anyone have any idea what might have caused this?

3) Can anything be done to correct it?

4) If anything can be done, should I expect my ophthalmologist to do it (without having to pay more than the significant amount I've already paid)?

Thanks for any info and advice!

4 likes, 452 replies

452 Replies

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  • justharry
    justharry WebDev

    Posted

    Had Crystalens (attending cataract surgery) implanted in my right eye on 9/12/17 and have been extremely satisfied - amazed more accurately - with the result.  Distance and intermediate vision (including dashboard of cars, desktop pc screens, etc.) is outstanding!  Colors are clear and vibrant. 

    So when my doctor strongly suggested Symfony lens for left eye (specifically to facilitate close up vision) I was skeptical ... but ultimately agreed and the Symfony lens was implanted yesterday (10/5/17).  I'm only 24 hours post op and my pupil is still a bit dilated, but I'm hoping that things clear up substantially because - as of now - I'm not happy.  Can you - or anyone - provide me with comfort level about how long it will take for me to truly realize the capabilities of this lens.  Thanks!  Harry

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An justharry

      Posted

      I had Symfony lenses implanted in both eyes July 10 and Aug 21 and my vision is great.  Your operation was just yesterday so give it time as I was told eyes still dilated up to 3 days.  Once swelling and dilation goes down yoy’ll Likely be seeing just fine. 

      My surgeon aimed for 0D in both eyes but I ended up with a bit of mini monovision with Symfony.  I can see clearly from 10 inches out.  If Symfony targeted for distance one can expected to see clearly further on 16 to 18 inches out.

      Have you had a post op checkup?

    • justharry
      justharry Sue.An

      Posted

      Scheduled for post op visit this afternoon .. but the office just called to check up on me. They’re telling me it will be at least a few days before I begin to  experience true functionality of lens, with increasing improvement with more time. Hoping this is the case. Thanks for responding. 
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An justharry

      Posted

      I am sure it is.  And it varies between eyes too.  I was able to see clearly within hours of first surgery but I had a little more discomfort with a sense of something in my eye.  2nd no discomfort whatsoever but I had blurry vision and light streaking from all sources of light for 2 days.  This is normal.
    • justharry
      justharry Sue.An

      Posted

      OK.  Am four weeks post op from Crystal lens implant into right eye ... am four days post op from Symfony lens implant in my left eye.  Am extremely please and just sharing my experience.  Now that dilation and swelling has died down from left eye surgery, I am really appreciating the symfony lens and really appreciating my doctor's recommendation for it.  Between the crystal and symfony lenses my distance and intermediate vision is excellent .. and I CAN read - through the symfony lens.  The trade off (for me) is the crystal lens enjoys a slight, but perceptible advantage in depth and richness of colors ... perceptible, but not substantial.  The ability to read with the symfony more than makes up for that slight disadvantage ... again, for me.  Also, though there is surely a perceptible increased halo effect from lights at night with the symfony, again .. not so substantial as to be really bothersome to me.  So ... for me, the combination of crystal and symfony lenses are perfect.  Also, my only issue (which is normal and expected) is occasional to frequent tearing, which I get in both eyes. Hopefully, that will diminish in time as well.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An justharry

      Posted

      That is good news.  So pleased for you.  You’ll notice in a few weeks time the halo/glare will subside.  It did for me and whereas in beginning I found driving st night hard I now don’t think about it.

      Interesting that perception of colours different between 2 lenses.  As I had both eyes done with Symfony i don’t know if another would be sharper.  However comparing colours before surgery all is very good.  Everything had a yellow brownish tint before surgeries.

    • justharry
      justharry Sue.An

      Posted

      Yes .. I noticed substantial yellow tint on my world looking out left eye before surgery .. but only after right eye surgery .. before that, it was the only world I saw.  That was immediately cured by left eye surgery. Yes, not taking anything away from symfony lens .. and you have no frame of reference .. but - to me - that crystal lens is unrivaled for tichn
    • justharry
      justharry

      Posted

      ... for richness and depth of colors .. it’s remarkable to me. 
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An justharry

      Posted

      It is too bad surgeons cannot at least show you photos of what to expect.  However given it’s not an exact science and a small % of surgeries not as successful as anticipated could potentially open doors for lawsuits from people whose experience didn’t match the expectation.  

      All in all as long as individual is pleased with the end result and life can resume it is much better than our grandparents options.  Nothing to complain about.  

      Glad swelling has gone down for you and you can enjoy your new world.

  • user85013
    user85013 WebDev

    Posted

    Just had surgery for Symfony on my right eye. Could not walk to the car because I was so dizzy. On the way home I threw up twice. All while still being able to slightly see.

    Took a nap for the day. The nauseous feeling is gone but I am completely blind in my right eye. All I see is a Yellowish blur. I look in a mirror with both eyes open and the right eye is just trailed off looking elsewhere (however I can move it with my left eye covered). I don't see any redness or anything bad with my right eye inspecting from my left. But when I cover the left eye and move right up to the mirror, I can't make out anything.

    I called the office and they said this is normal. I'm waiting for the doctor to call me. I called Dr. Shannon Wong's office in Houston for confirmation of this and they said no it is not normal and I should be seen immediately.

    Has anyone had no vision at all during same day of surgery? I'm now scared I'm completely blind after this operation. I'm 34 years old with a kidney transplant and my twin brother had the same but he didn't have the issue im having.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An user85013

      Posted

      Matt you mentioned vomiting- that may have triggered IOL shifting.  One of the reasons they don’t want you to bend over for 2 days is for that reason.  

      Hoping it has not shifted but I hope your doc sees you ASAP.

    • user85013
      user85013 Sue.An

      Posted

      My co worker picked me up since all my family is out of state. So I'm running really solo here. But they said nothing about not bending over. And I could not vomit in my co workers truck. It was embarrassing enough.

      The doctor called me and said the multifocal Symfony lens with astigmatism broke? So he had to pull it out and put in a non- correcting Symfony. And said was fine we'll just need to do Lasik in a few weeks. I'm a little disappointed that there wasn't another Symfony like lens available. Will Lasik correction give me different results?

      He thinks why I can't see anything at the moment is due to swelling called Corneal Transient Edema? He says he'll call me in a couple hours but thinks it will correct before tomorrow morning when I see him. I'm not very confident at this point.

      If it shifted, can they go back in ASAP to fix it? I was not expecting this kind of interruption with work.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An user85013

      Posted

      I am so sorry to hear all this.  The hospital or surgeon’s clinic should have given you a list of things to avoid.

      Kept my page - here is list

      After Surgery:

      Do not run eyes (for 2 weeks minimum)

      Wear eyeshield every night for 1 week 

      Do not lift anything over 10 lbs for 1 week

      Avoid sudden or jerking movements with head (golfing bowling snow blower mowing lawn) 

      No active sports first weeks (running etc)

      No bending over first few days

      Careful not to get water in your eyes  first few days.

      You can go for walks watch light TV or gonon computer light household chores

      do you have your prescrofor drops as well as Refresh or Systane drops?

       

      You 

    • lin59
      lin59 Sue.An

      Posted

      My doctor said it was fine to bend over even right away (I avoided bending my head way down though).
    • user85013
      user85013 lin59

      Posted

      So my lens is fine. Just swelling. However because I'm so disappointed at this point, I'll remain a skeptic until I can actually see. The doctor say he's certain before tomorrow's appt it will be all cleared up. But I have seen no gradual improvement in the 12 hours I noticed this issue .

      Im also a little upset I paid for an astigmatism lens but I'm not getting it. And now I have to depend on Lasik for total clarity in a few weeks? Shouldn't I be able to go back into surgery and get the lens swapped out? My brother didn't get the Symfony but he does remembering having to go back and go in for a few YAG treatments before he could stop wearing glasses?

      Ultimately extremely p****d off with myself for not doing extensive research and reading many reviews on this. In fact one person in the office told me to not read so much into the reviews and here I am, someone with a bad review. At the same time I'm upset I was told I could go to work the very next day when I find that hard to believe because I can't even drive, let alone take an Uber without wanting to vomit.

      I was pleasantly unhappy today. Tomorrow if my vision hasn't even slightly improved to where I can drive to this appointment as I'm told I could, I won't be very pleasant. I apologize for venting on here but I don't know who to vent to but people who've had this done.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An user85013

      Posted

      Do Matt your surgeon verified your lens and it is ok?  Good news.   For some people they see clearly within hours for others it can take a few days. The eye can remain dilated for a couple of days and there could be swelling.

      Even between both my surgeries it was different.  First eye I could see well within hours but not 2nd eye - took much longer.

      Whatever you do don’t get a YAG done so soon .  If you do eventually want a lens swap that procedure would make it very difficult.  

      as long as surgeon checked lens is ok and hadn’t rotated (especially important if you got a toric lens for astigmatism), tou’ll Be fine.  Just wait it out.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An user85013

      Posted

      Also although a lot of surgeons say you can resume work in a day or two I would recommend you take a week off work.  Remember most their patients are retired seniors.  Normal activity for seniors different than heading to work and resuming computer activities (at least for me).  Even after a week had to wear sunglasses inside for awhile.
    • drugdealer
      drugdealer user85013

      Posted

      Hi Matt.

      Hope things work out.

      I had my surgery done in London using Symfony Toric lenses. My astigmatism still is not resolved and I am guess they will do laser top up using LASIK. So also not happy with current result 7 months on form initial surgery. But at least during surgery the clinic had a back up of my toric lenses in case there was a problem with the first lens.

    • Siempre
      Siempre Sue.An

      Posted

      Your list looks very similar to the one I was given with the addition of avoidance of all dusty environments and no strenuous exercise while healing takes place.
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