Post-Surgical Cataract Outcomes -- "Results Only" Thread

Ok I will add my results.  Just saw optometrist Dec 3/17.  I am 3 months post op.  Both eyes had cataracts and were operated on 6 weeks apart with Symfony EDOF lenses.

1.  Both eyes were targeted for plano.  Right eye sees better at 20/15 and left sees 20/20.

2.  Lens selected:  Symfony EDOF

3.  Prescription post op at 3 months is:

Here is my prescription:

           SPH.    CYL.         AXIS

OD   PL         -025       105

OS     PL        -050          65

ADD

OD    +150

OS.    +150

4.  See all distances very clearly.   Can read J1 on snellen chart.  iPhone I hold at 11 inches and read normal default font - no issues.  (Reason it took me so long to see optometrist was due to fact I haven’t felt like I needed glasses).  But thought I should go and find out where my vision is.

5.  Initially starburst and glare very strong.  In last month nth these have diminished greatly.  Do see multiple concentric circles around certain light sources (outside - inside lights are fine).

All in all happy with result.  Symfony were new on the market at the time so was t sure exactly what to expect

6.  Adding another category for best advise.   Mine would be to find a good surgeon.  Best lens in the world wont turn out the way you want if surgeon isn’t skilled/experienced.  Do as much research on surgeon as you do for lenses.  I was fortunate to chat with 3 patients of my surgeon - 1 who had Symfony lenses and 2 who had chosen monofocals.  ALL were happy with result.  

I'm at 6 weeks from my right eye cataract surgery today, but I think the eye is still healing so hopefully will stabilize and improve still further in the coming weeks/months.  My left eye only has an early stage cataract, so it probably won't need surgery for years since it still corrects with eyeglasses or contacts to excellent better than 20/20 vision - I don't want to mess with that eye until absolutely necessary.

1) What distance(s) were you targeting?

 My right eye target was for good distance (0D to -.25D) and the result was spot on with 0D

 After 6 weeks most mornings I am getting 20/25 or better distance vision in the right eye, at times even 20/15

2) Type of IOL (monofocal, multifocal/EDOF, toric, etc., including brand if you wish) 

 Right eye = Tecnis toric monofocal IOL  (3.1D cylinder corneal plane)

3) Post-op Rx (at least the SPH number in diopters)  

 At 4 weeks, eye exam Rx for right eye: 0D sph  -1D cyl  115 axis

4) What do you see clearly, and what situations and/or for what distance(s) do use or need glasses or contacts?  

 Clear distance vision (4feet and beyond) in the morning and early afternoon, night/dim light some blurriness

5) Additional Comments

 Result took about 4 weeks until result was close to what I had hoped for (good distance vision) though it

 still varies somewhat day to day, and from day to evening. Hopefully that will improve and stabilize in the

 coming weeks/months.

 I have a bit more residual astigmatism than was planned, but that may be reducing from day to day still.

 The only artifact I notice outside in dark conditions only if my right eye pupil is at max size is a half-circle

 halo-like thing above some bright light sources.  If I reduce the pupil size by staring at a light up close for

 a second the half-circles will disappear.  I think its probably light scatter at the cornea incision spot, and

 hopefully it will reduce or go away as that heals more in the coming months.  It already seems to happen

 less now than it did a few weeks ago, when I driving at night it doesn't happen very often anymore since

 there is usually now enough light from other cars, etc to keep my pupil size from being maximum. I haven't

 seen it happen indoors at night, except if I wake up in the middle of the night in the dark I see a faint

 half-halo above the clock radio digital LED number display.

 What I have learned is some of us need extra time for the eye to heal and vision improve/stabilize.  Many

 reports on message boards are from people who get perfect vision 20/20 the next day after surgery, but

 thats not the case for everyone so have to be patient if that is not achieved right away.  Also cannot expect

 perfect results since there is a lot of variables some not under control of the surgeon, so expect to be off

 a bit from the target for example some residual astigmatism.

1) Intermediate/Near

2) Monofocal (Alcon AcrySoft IQ) Right Eye

3) -1.25D Right / -1.50D Left (no IOL yet - early cataract)

4) Use Rx glasses for distance (driving, movies, meetings, outdoor sports) or a single contact lens (monovision) for going out; Vision is excellent for intermediate and very good for near; most reading is ok, but occasionally need magnification for very tiny print. Haven’t felt a need for readers yet, but bought a +1.00 pair from the drugstore in case I want to read a fine-print book for a long stretch without eye strain. Far distance is a little bit blurry, but mostly ok at home, working in an office, watching TV, shopping, etc. without correction.

5) Very happy with the results of my one eye so far and combined with similar vision in the other eye; no serious artifacts, except for a faint diagonal streak with certain light sources. I wish MDs gave more infomation about refraction choices, particularly when the cataract was in early stages.  I didn’t know it was possible to try out different contact lenses, for example, to simulate possible outcomes (at least if you are already presbyopic). I also felt there was no discussion of intermediate/near correction as an option; they just ask if you want to see “near” or “far.”  I had to decide that for myself and was really stressed out about it. I was not a candidate for multifocal IOLs, but had already ruled them out due to potential artifacts. I also was not told of the exact numerical refraction choices after the biometric measurements, which can differ from the numbers you initially discussed with your doctor. In general, while the surgery itself is highly successful these days, it seems that the refraction counseling is often woefully lacking. 

I feel that Intermediate/Near can be a good choice for patients who don’t want to lose their close-up vision (personally, I would find that very handicapping), and don’t mind wearing glasses for distance.

This thread is a great idea and needs to be made a sticky.  Can you guys also add age, other eye conditions, type of cataract (nuclear/subcapsular), whether ORA was used?  whether femtolaser or manual?