Problems adapting to my Zeiss LISA trifocal IOL's
Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi,
I recently had dual IOL's. My first operation was on the 9th May 2018, the other on the 16th.
The first worked at distance as well as my glasses the following day, but even now, almost a month later, I have no close or intermediate clarity with it.
The second, unfortunately started working with near vision first, which has proven quite distracting when trying to view anything at distance. It feels like I'm wearing glasses with a lens missing. Somewhat bizarrely the same isn't felt when reading, despite having no close or middle range clarity with it.
Now my surgeon assured me there's a period of "neuroadaptivity", which can vary from patient to patient, with time being a factor also, but I'm aware there appears to be absolutely no improvement in either eye.
I guess I wanted to hear if anyone else has had similar problems, did it rectify itself with time, how long did it take, or did it require another operation?
I appreciate that I might be expecting too much too soon, but this is my vision after all, and I feel being a little concerned is entirely normal.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
1 like, 27 replies
Nizza594 julian1967
Edited
Hi Julian!
I had the same lenses as you fitted almost a year ago (July 7th and 10th 2017). I can tell you that it took a good 2 to 4 months, maybe even up to 6 before things felt "normal".
I started with really good up close vision but everything beyond about 6 feet was a blur, then after about a month my distance vision started to sharpen up. I had issues with reading phones or computers, assumably because they are backlit and I was having trouble generally around artificial light. That time of day when day starts becoming night was the worst and night time was very difficult for awhile.
I also had the feeling of crescent shadows in my peripheral vision, that took around 5 months or so to disappear.
But honestly, I can tell you that from
6 months to almost a year later, I have very good vision all around and barely any side effects. There are strange little things that take some getting used to, but nothing major. I really never even think about my eyes much now, where as in the first 6 months I was obsessed!
It's hard to do I know, but try to relax and trust the process, the end results are well worth it! I was stressed to hell about it for the first couple of months thinking I'd traded my strong glasses for an even worse problem but at this point I'd do it all again in a heartbeat!
The internet can lead you to believe that people walk out of surgery and have amazing vision the next day, so it makes you feel like something has gone wrong! But in my case it was a rather long process!
Just hang on in there, I'm sure it will sort itself out in good time!
julian1967 Nizza594
Posted
Thanks for your feedback, and reassurance.
I think for me the reason its unnerving is that one eye started working fine at distance, while the other started working fine at reading distance. So I feel like one is being lazy whenever I drive or similar.
I also get other odd visual artefacts, such as occasional peripheral "jelly vision", and what often looks like a hair catching the light in my view, but this is usually only at night with lamps.
The only other significantly different thing is at dusk the blues are noticeably bluer, which I understand is because the front of the lens which filtered light frequencies is no longer there.
I don't mind the actual starburst halo's from driving at night too much, and I can't say I've noticed any loss in contrast nor low light sensitivity with these lenses; particularly when comparing it to the first week when one eye was still using a real lens. Something I'd read about being a compromise with toric style lenses as they effectively half the light the retina receives for each distance they're designed to work at.
I realise I'm jumping the gun somewhat, and I've been told to wait at least 3 months. I've also been told that it's quite normal if needed to "top up" the prescription with some laser surgery if needed/possible. Hopefully, it won't come to that, and I'll start appreciating similar results to yourself, especially given my glasses were nowhere near as powerful as yours!
Serco Nizza594
Posted
hi yes reassuring to read your message . i have been in same boat for past 6 months but sadly no improvement. infact worse as i cant even read monitor distance onwards in right eye
Nizza594 julian1967
Posted
Salty0 julian1967
Posted
I didn't opt for the multi focus lens because I had heard that some found them problematic i went with a toric & a standard lense first surgery on 3/7 , second on 4/3. I'm still experiencing problems with double vision and blurriness. I'm told it takes a minimum of 3 months at least for healing. I'm also told that the membranes left behind after the cataracts removal has become "cloudy" causing my issues funny that no one ever mentioned that as a possibility before the surgery. If those lenses are not working for you you can change them
susan44499 Salty0
Posted
I think healing can take 4-6 months. After 4 months they don't replace them-too difficult and risky.
What you are describing sounds like a secondary cataract. It can happen even years later but a quick laser surgery can take care of it.
Salty0 susan44499
Posted
The doctors are referring to my condition as cloudy membranes which they seem to believe will clear up eventually and if not they can do some additional surgery with a laser that would clear it up. They sounded confident as if my condition was no big deal. I'm not sure if they're in CYA mode or what but I'm wait another month see what happens.
Sue.An julian1967
Posted
I am not as familiar with the lenses you have. I have Symfony lenses implanted in both eyes and fortunately experienced good vision early on. But I know this isn’t the case for everyone and doesn’t necessarily indicate final results.
Here in Canada the wait time between surgeries for cataracts is much longer (4 weeks - my own were 6 weeks apart). The surgeons want to know where first eye ends up so they can make adjustments to the target of second eye.
It appears your surgeon targeted one eye for distance and the other for better reading if I read your post correctly. It may be a bit too soon but 6 weeks after your 2nd surgery you should be able to get an exact prescription to see where your eyes have settled.
But for now be patient. As long as everything is healing nicely and you are taking prescribed drops things should be fine.
susan44499 julian1967
Posted
glenda65196 julian1967
Edited
Hi Jillian I hope you can tell me if your eyes improved because I am having trouble adjusting to my Zeiss as well. I had the Zeiss Lisa put in first end of November and decided I didn't like the halos at night so had the new Zeiss Lara put in the second eye. The first one is the one I am having problems with shadows crossing pages as I read and distance I see clear but than I get a flat spot or fog that keeps coming and going very distracting and that eye feels more dry and scratchy. My Dr. seems to think it's normal and harder for some people to adjust but just doesn't feel right to me. Been 6 weeks now. Hope you had good luck adjusting so I can feel a bit more confident of the end result.
Thanks Glenda
Sue.An glenda65196
Posted
Hi Glenda65196 - many
of us here are curious about tour experience with atLara. Particularly those of us who have Symfony IOLs.
Would you kindly share what country you are from and a bit about your experience with this lens? I am from Canada and atLara is not available/approved yet here. Is your vision good from near to distance and of particular interest is your night vision.
Thanks in advance for sharing.
Sue.An glenda65196
Posted
The one person on these forums I know had a great outcome with atLisa is britkennels. If you reach out to her she may be able to share her personal experience - if clear vision took time or if it was good from the beginning.
Hope you get the answers you are looking for.
glenda65196 Sue.An
Posted
Hi I am from Canada as well but been cruising on a boat for many years so don't have medical. I had my surgery done in Penang, Malaysia. So it has been 4 weeks for the Lara and my vision is much clearer and sharper for distance and medium range but going to need reading glasses. But the Lisa although I can see closer there seems to be a lot of shadows when I am reading not sure if that is because I don't have the closer range with the Lara. Before surgury I could see close up and needed glasses for distance so that is why I chose Lisa but if this flat spot and fog dont get better I would say the Lara would have been better for both eyes.
Sue.An glenda65196
Posted
I have 2 Symfony lenses - they were newly available in Canada in 2017. You lead an adventuresome life - and must love sailing. I had my eye on atLARA but my cataracts were too far along and I needed surgeries both eyes.
With atLARA how is the night vision? Do you see about 10 concentric circles around certain light sources? I do with Symfony.
It certainly sounds like your issue may be the 2 different lenses and how the brain adjusts to the different issues. atLARA is an extended depth of focus IOL procidi g continuous vision throughout whereas at LISA has 3 distinct focuses.your brain may adjust in time or you may want to consult with a specialist to see if 2 of atLARA lenses would be better.
Thanks so mu h for the reply. Wish you the best.
glenda65196 Sue.An
Posted
Morning Sue-an
I am hoping with time I will get used to them working together. I knew to expect halos at night around lights but just wasn't expecting the shadows and as Jillian said a jelly fog going across my vision in the daytime which is quite distracting. Also when reading.
But to answer your question on the Zeiss Lara yes I do have the rings around light at night. I haven't driven as we don't have a car so don't know yet how that will be.
I do feel better after reading these posts with others experience wish there were a few more to read about.
I did a lot of research but probably a lot of hype that Zeiss was one of the best and my friend was like you and his eyes were great from the start and hey they do make the best binoculars. So still hoping for good results.
Thanks for writing appreciate it
Sue.An glenda65196
Posted
Thanks for the reply! I suspect vary from person to person with every lens type as we are all unique individuals. When reading about the atLARA and noting the rings in lens design I thought the night view would be similar to Symfony bit the range of focus would be slightly better with atLARA.
Yes hoping the vision blends well in time for you. That slight fog may be floaters that can occur after cataract surgery and most settle with time.
Sue.An
Posted
sorry phone glitchy today. Meant I suspect results vary from person to person....
Serco glenda65196
Posted
Hello, do post an update as i am having similar issues. As you had these a while ago and hope they have been resolved