Symfony Optiblue
Posted , 7 users are following.
About two months ago I had cataract surgery and had a Symfony Optiblue lens inserted into my right eye. Two weeks later I had the same lens put into my left eye. My near and intermediate distance is perfect and much better than I could have ever imagined (I can read clearly on my phone at about 6 inches). My distance vision is okay but not perfect with the left eye being a bit better than the right. With the left I can read most of the letters on the 20-25 line and with the right I can read one or two letters. For example, while watching TV, I can definitely read the subtitles but they are not crisp. Also, my vision gets a little worse throughout the day, but I assume that is because my eyes get tired from all the reading I am doing during the day? In fact, if I take a 15 minute nap late in the day, when I awake my distance vision is improved. Also, at night I do see moderate halos when driving but I can still drive without much of a problem. Anyway, I'm hoping some of you can help with a few questions:
- Would you consider this a very good result or do you think I should talk to my doctor about a lens replacement? While I assume my doctor could insert another lens that would improve my distance, I would expect that that would cause my near and/or intermediate vision to worsen. Is that right?
- My doctor has scheduled me for a quick laser adjustment for about a month from now. She'll be starting with my right eye and said by "cleaning it up" it will improve my distance vision. I know that once I do this, a replacement lens will not be an option so my second question is whether I should expect the laser to make a real difference?
Any help is appreciated!
0 likes, 22 replies
Rsko
Edited
Hi everyone. I'm the OP and have a bit more info. I've been in touch with my surgeon and she confirmed that I have enough PCO to warrant the YAG, although she also noted that that won't help the myopia. For that she has given me three choices: (1) she could replace one of the lenses with another Symfony Optiblue lens with a prescription more targeted for distance, (ii) she could tweak one eye with PRK (she doesn't do LASIK), or (3) I could wear glasses for distance.
My gut tells me to avoid a lens replacement as that could bring on a host of different issues and there is no assurance that the new target will hit the "magic spot". What do you all think about that option?
Although I could wear glasses for distance, I prefer to be glasses free and so I'm leaning toward doing the PRK. Admittedly that will worsen my near vision in one eye, but my near vision in both eyes is really good (and they are both nearly identical) and so I would think my near vision would still be decent even after the PRK. One thing I may do is try out the likely adjustment in the doctor's office by having her test my near vision with a lens that is close to where she thinks the PRK will go. That way I should be able to make a more informed decision, right?
I'd love to hear what you all think. This is not like buying a car and so I want to get as much info as possible before making the decision.
phil09 Rsko
Edited
What I think:
Good luck.
Rsko phil09
Posted
If I have some PCO why should I wait for the YAG? If I'm gonna need it at some point, why not do it now? My understanding from reading this thread is that once YAG is done once there won't be a need to ever do it again so why not get it over with? For me, my vision has definitely gotten a bit worse since the surgery and I assume this has something to do with PCO.
BTW - my vision is also not consistent. At the end of the day, especially after looking at computer screens all day, both my distance and near vision is much worse. Is this normal behaviour and is it something I will need to live with?
RonAKA Rsko
Edited
PCO should look something like a cataract with cloudy vision. It should be consistent and not come and go. It is caused by cells growing and accumulating on the back of the capsule. The reason to wait is that there are risks to the YAG process. Estimates vary but about a 1 in 200 chance of a retina detachment, and about 1 in 100 of the YAG damaging the IOL. Any kind of lens exchange after a YAG is much more difficult and there can be complications from the surgery, like holding the lens in place because there is a big hole in the capsule after YAG. There is no need to rush into a YAG unless you are certain that it is impacting your vision. Perhaps get a second opinion. My optometrist said I needed YAG in one eye. I got a second opinion from a ophthalmologist that is a laser specialist. He said I really did not need YAG in either eye, but the one flagged by my optometrist needed it less than the other eye. He recommended I come back in another year to see if it was progressing or not.
trilemma Rsko
Posted
YAG has 3 patterns:
The modified round is probably the same as 2 or 3.
There are advantages to each. When you talk to the doctor, ask which is used.