Options for right eye IOL surgery with high degree myopia in left eye (but otherwise no cataract)

I had my right eye done last year and decided not to have anything done to my left eye because there is only the beginning of a cataract in it.  I have since realized I do need to have the lens put in my left eye because there is just enough variance in my vision to make a difference.  I think once I have it done, my vision will be much better.

More than likely, if you have a cataract in your right eye, you  will probably develop one in the left so your getting ahead of the game.  I have the toric lens in my right eye and will have that put in my left as well.  I have 20/20 vision in my right eye.

I had refractive lens exchange surgery on both eyes June 2017 . My prescription was -6.00 & -6.25

I had early stage cataracts in both eyes . I was advised that due to high myopia & astigmatism laser surgery would not be possible . 

I think that your ophthalmologist is giving you good advice.

1. You should definitely not try to replace your natural lens in your left (good) eye.

2. Target plano or -0.25D for the right eye after the cataract surgery.

3. Wait at least 2 weeks to check the vision you actually achieve in the right eye (one does not often achieve the target).

4. If the right eye does end up at -0.25 D or plano, try using a contact lens (if you are used to it) in the left eye to be able to focus the best at about 40 inches (corresponding to about -1.0D) and see if you adjust to a slight difference in the best focus distance of the 2 eyes. If you like it, that is what I suggest aiming for, if and when you go for the LASIK (or PRK) for the left eye correction.

5. If you do get the LASIK treatment for the left eye, make sure that you get the record of your cornea measurements before LASIK. That information will be very important to calculate accurately the required IOL power when you need to have the cataract surgery in 15-20 years.

That doesn't really sound right to me but there might some extenuating circumstances in your case. I'm at -5D in my left eye and recently had a multifocal IOL implanted in the right eye. I cannot wear glasses in this scenario as the sizes of objects are quite different (as you noted). However contact lenses are no issue at all. I usually wear a multifocal contact but a fixed -5D contact works great too (for distance only, of course). I don't see why a -5D contact with astigmatism correction wouldn't work for you coupled with an IOL set for plano in the other eye.

ASIK should be similar although, as others have said, you probably are at higher risk of getting a cataract in the left eye than most of the population your age so please read up on the potential complications of IOL's on former LAISK patients.  

My hubby was in your shoes when he was 66yo (2016) and opted for the multi-focal Symphony Lens on both eyes (only one eye has matured cataract).  He is absolutely happy with the IOLs implants.

From many of the replies on this site, I gather that those with Toric lenses are more likely to lead to dissatisfaction.

 

I'm 20 years older than you also -6D with astigmatism, the cataract in left eye was very bad and had to be done but the right eye could have waited  but on the docs advice I had both eyes done last December. Have great far vision but can't see anything close up without 3.5x readers and even then can't see my eyes well enough to put drops in them without jabbing an eye.

There is no way in the world I would give up vision in my one good eye at your age. No matter how good any artificial lens is it will never be as good as your natural eye.... I can't imagine how much I would have not seen had I had both eyes done at your age....trust your instincts you won't be sorry.