Newbie , researching cataract surgery

You found a good site. I think you did the right thing by cancelling/postponing your surgery. Unfortunately it seems that many surgeons don't spend time discussing the options with patients ahead of time and you need to do your own research. This forum and other internet sites related to vision and cataracts are a good place to start. 

Maybe tell us a little bit about yourself (age, how you spend your time, etc.) and your vision history (Do you wear glass/contacts? Are both eyes similar in terms of vision?). Then prepare to spend time reading the posts and  discussions on this site and the others. I think that the more time you put into this effort, the more satisfied you are likely to be with your results.

Among other things you will find that you can choose to set your "best focus" point to suit your lifestyle and goals. There are a variety of lens options (with different drawbacks). 

Hi Mutti3 - was writing out something similar to what Derek just wrote so won’t reiterate.

Sorry you too have been diagnosed with cataracts.  I know at 53 I was devastated with this news and living in Canada had a long wait to see an opthamologist consult and my surgeries and was actually glad to have that time to read and research.   These forums were a great help to me for both info and support.  

The good news is there are many more options than our grandparents had.  Each option has its pros and cons and compromises so it’s good to know what you do for a living, hobbies, sports and go from there.

So welcome - and like Derek mentioned tell us a bit more about yourself and many of us will do our best to offer suggestions.  

I am 60 years old and was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. My doctor talked to me extensively about my hobbies my work what meant the most to me as far as being able to see near or far. I decided to go with a Symfony lens which cost for both eyes $6,600 . I had one eye done in January and waited until April to have the second eye done ,it's been one year. Computer work is great if I were to try to do something like jewelry fixing or sewing 1.25 glasses would help but I really don't need them...it's just a little sharper. Distance is pretty good too . Now the bad part. If you do a lot of driving at night you may experience huge Halos around lights and glare. I was willing to give up not seeing great at night as long as I could see 95% during the day. Do your research and make sure that the doctor explains everything to you. I don't know for sure if I would do the same thing over again considering how much it did cost me out of my own pocket.good luck.

I bit of my vision history. I am almost 68 years old. Been nearsighted with use of glasses since 8 years old. Started with bifocal at 43. Tried monovision contact about 18 years ago, but couldn’t achieve good close vision. Still employed, using a duel monitor computer. Was diagnosed with cataract about 8 years ago. My vision has worsen. I have floaters, and even clouds! I am not disappointed that I cancel my preop mapping, almost relieved from a possible bad decision I couldn’t undo.

At this point I don’t know what my vision numbers. Vision testing was not done. By my choosing. I am use to close, intermediate, and distance. I don’t think I could live with no close vision starting at 3-4 feet out. I do have a lot to research, and learn. 

It's so disappointing to hear how little guidance many cataract patients get pre-operatively, especially since it is a choice with life-long consequences.  Like you, I didn't get much help and also delayed about 2 years before finally getting surgery.  From what I can tell, many doctors just ask if you want to see "near" or "far" without glasses (for the traditional monofocal lens) or talk patients into "premium" lenses for $$$ without fully discussing the implications.  I was always somewhat near-sighted, (about -2D) so was used to seeing close and intermediate without my glasses.  The thought of having to wear glasses every time I wanted to read, look at my phone, use the computer, etc. was extremely disturbing.  I decided to aim for intermediate/near (a little less near-sighted than before) with a monofocal lens and couldn't be happier. I get along most of the time without glasses, except for driving, biking, hiking, work meetings, movies, etc.  Computer distance and reading sheet music is excellent, and reading is pretty good (though I have to hold things farther away for finer print now).  I think it comes down to what Sue.an said; you need to decide where you'd most like to see without glasses (or, where it would be most bothersome to have to use them).  It seems like NO one I talked to recommended or even discussed an "intermediate" correction (I'm guessing docs may be worried patients will complain if they end up needing glasses for both distance and fine print).  I just thought I'd bring up this option, since you mentioned computer use, which requires good intermediate vision.  (For reference, my current vision is -1.25D & -1.5D).  Everyone I talked to looked at me strangely when I said I wanted to be "a little near-sighted," but honestly this seems to be the best overall compromise for me, without the risks of artifact from the pricey multi-focal/EDOF lenses.  Good luck and take your time deciding, as each person's eyes and needs are unique.

Hi Mutti3,

Just to share my own experience. After I made an appointment with the doctor's office, they sent me a package explaining the procedure and it also included some questionnaires for my life style and my most cared vision distance.

On the day of the consultation, the doctor reviewed my questionnaires and discussed the options of lens choices. He did recommend the Symfony lens but wanted me to decide. He also told me if I go with the monofocal lens, he would choose mid-range focus for me based on my work and life style. So I searched the internet and found this forum and then decided to go with monofocal lens based on the reviews here.

I'm now 3 weeks after my first eye surgery and 1 week after my 2nd eye surgery. I'm happy with the results. My doctor set the focus to be -1.0D for both eyes and I no longer need glasses for almost all my daily activities even reading my cell phone at about 14" distance. Driving is also no issue. Good luck!