Need Help With Monofocal Lens Setting
Posted , 5 users are following.
So, I am 60. Was told I have dense cataracts. I have astigmatism. I've worn glasses since I was a child. My insurance will only cover a monofocal lens, so I will stay with that. My opthalmologist said, "Since you have been a myope all your adult life, I think you should stay that way and not lose your near/intermediate vision. I would advise you have your IOL set for intermediate vision, but you have the final decision." I've read other posts similar to mine here, about how to have the IOL set. I would welcome other opinions. I am leaning towards intermediate vision. I know I will still have to wear glasses. Too bad an IOL can't be changed as easily as a pair of eyeglasses!
0 likes, 5 replies
soks caroldancer
Posted
before cataracts did you have glasses for distance and near?
RonAKA caroldancer
Edited
Another solution is to have the dominant eye set for distance and then under correct the non dominant eye to leave you at -1.5 D myopic. That will give you both closer and distance vision without eyeglasses. You can still wear progressive glasses to correct for even better vision.
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Your other decision would be to get toric lenses to correct the astigmatism if you need it. Having astigmatism with eyeglasses does not necessarily mean you have enough astigmatism to need a toric IOL. You have to get your eyes measured to know if you would benefit from a toric IOL or not.
caroldancer
Posted
I appreciate everyone who has replied
soks Before cataracts I only had glasses for distance, Never worn progressives or bifocals. I either read with my glasses on or take them off.
Ron, I am somewhat hesitant about microvision and not being able to adapt to it. I've read it works better with those who have worn contacts and experimented with microvision prior to surgery. But I don't know. Do most people adapt to it? I'm sure some don't. As for torics, my insurance will only pay for a monofocal so I will stay with that. Inflation is sky-high in the USA, The worst I have seen in all my life. I have 2 diopeters of astigmatism.
I am fearful of surgery. I tend to be somewhat obsessive compulsive and I am pone to anxiety. My surgeon could tell I was uneasy and wasn't sure if I had confidence in him. I had to tell him that's just way I am.
RonAKA caroldancer
Posted
On mini-monovision it is best to simulate it first with contacts. I about 18 months between having eyes done for cataracts, and in that interval I simulated monovision with a contact in my non operated eye. I liked it a lot and used the contact monovision solution nearly full time until I had the second eye done. Now I have mini-monovision with both eyes having an IOL. Unfortunately due to some astigmatism issues it is not perfect and I ended up with a little less myopia in the near eye than I wanted. I believe the ideal is to be -1.5 D in the near eye, and I am closer to -1.25 D.
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Astigmatism is the total of the astigmatism in the natural lens plus the amount in your cornea. The natural lens is gone after the IOL is implanted go that portion goes away. For that reason eyeglass astigmatism typically does not accurately predict post surgery astigmatism. The only way to do it accurately is to have a topographical measurement done on the cornea and from that a computer program is used to predict your post surgery astigmatism. Until you have that measurement done, you can't predict whether or not you would benefit from a toric or not.
jimluck caroldancer
Posted
You are prone to anxiety. You will be least anxious going for a return to the vision of your younger days --myopic, but without cataracts. Anything else is a change, requiring adaptation and involving risk and uncertainty, and that is not suitable for you I gather. I think your doctor's recommendation is right on, given your personality and tight budget.