Symfony/Synergy Update - 10/8 weeks later
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I thought I'd follow up and provide an update on how I am doing as I found this community so very useful to me when I was searching for information before surgery.
10 weeks ago I had a Symfony lens implanted in my left eye and a Synergy lens in my right 8 weeks ago. Based on advice from those here, I prioritized finding the best surgeon in my state (best was someone who researches/publishes, does surgeries and lectures at a local medical university). Although I found him to be a bit limited in terms of providing information as to why he chose the lenses he did, I decided to trust him after asking around the community and recommendations from medical people that I know. From what I understand, the Symfony/Synergy lens combination was chosen for me as my dominant eye (left and Symfony) is less than perfect and the right eye is perfect (Synergy). What does that actually mean, I have no idea - but the left eye was not a suitable candidate for the Synergy according to my surgeon. The Symfony was also chosen to give better far off and Synergy for close up. My surgeon used laser before implanting the lenses in both instances.
I tested 20/15 distance and 20/20 reading at my 6 week/4 week follow-ups. This week I see my retinologist for a follow-up just to check my retina and for any PVD/detachment issues (I hope not!).
The surgery has been transformational for my life. I can read and see at all distances and am amazed every day at something new that I am seeing for the first time. I can also drive at night without issues - yes, there is glare from headlights but I have adapted to this as they no longer bother me.
The only ongoing issues are dry eye (I now have to put drops in periodically throughout the day) and a slight feeling of soreness from time to time.
I pray every single day that I don't suffer any complications like RD or PVD.....I've read a lot about these and do have a higher risk due to myopia before surgery. That's really all I can do.
I thank everyone on here for the wonderful information - the best advice I got was to spend time to find the best person I could.
1 like, 33 replies
valerio01538 Jennifer_Guess
Edited
This is a very interesting and encouraging situation! I followed your previous posts, precisely because I was considering doing the same combination you did. I also have a Symfony IOL in my dominant left eye since 12/06/2021 and now on 03/30/2022 (if all goes well and I don't change my mind by then) my right eye will be operated on, also with a Synergy IOL. I consider myself lucky with Symfony, as I have very good vision at all distances from 20". In my last consultation, last week, I was able to see 20/15-2 and J3-2, obviously in good lighting of the clinic. I believe that these results are what you would expect with Symfony anyway. If all goes well, I hope to get more close vision with Synergy, I just don't know yet if the distance vision will be as good as Symfony. I already drive at night the day after my first surgery, so I know about the dysphotopsias caused by Symfony. So far, that hasn't stopped me from driving. I can assure you that it was much scarier to drive at night with the cataract. I just don't know yet how many dysphotopsia will be bigger, worse (or different) with Synergy.
I wish you luck on your follow-up appointment with your retinologist, and I hope all is well.
Jennifer_Guess valerio01538
Edited
I wish you all the luck in the world. My Synergy helped me to see better up close so I bet you will too (although it did take a few weeks to see as well as I do now l as I did have some inflammation after surgery).
My night driving with the Symfony and my other natural eye was VERY scary. Once the Synergy was implanted, it was much better and now that the swelling/inflammation is gone, I see clearly at night (way better than before surgery with glasses). Certain types of lights can be distracting, but luckily they are few and far between.
All the best for your next surgery 😃
valerio01538 Jennifer_Guess
Edited
Thanks for the encouragement and for wishing me luck. Well, after reading several reports saying "I was very lucky...", I'm convinced that luck plays an important role in cataract surgery...
Sue.An2 Jennifer_Guess
Edited
So glad all has turned out well. Worry robs you of everyday joys. Won't change anything. Hopefully none of the post cataract complications happen.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Jennifer_Guess Sue.An2
Edited
Thanks @Sue.An2. I am trying to focus on the positive and just live each day with gratitude 😃
sandra04210 Jennifer_Guess
Posted
Hi,
I am due to have both lenses replaced with the Johnson synergy lenses, but am getting more nervous. I havent been able to get any feedback from someone of a similar profile who has had it done. I am in my fifties, no cataracts, but need glasses for long and short vision. I am nervous about the side effects, halos etc, and recognise that not having cataracts means that my expectations will be higher. Any advice for me would be so gratefully received
RonAKA sandra04210
Posted
I think the advice that most cataract patients would give you is to NOT do a lens replacement with an IOL simply to correct vision. If you really must be without glasses another option to consider is Lasik monovison. One eye is corrected for distance and the other eye is left slightly myopic (-1.5 D) to allow you to read. It is best to simulate that first by using contacts to get that type of correction.
valerio01538 RonAKA
Posted
If I'm not mistaken, for a person of a certain age, already in a possible process of presbyopia and perhaps approaching or starting a cataract, wouldn't LASIK have a limited duration effect? I don't know if I'm also correct in thinking that LASIK could make it difficult to calculate the IOL correctly in the future? If I'm right, just in case, wouldn't it be interesting to take all possible measurements of the eyes for future use, before LASIK? This is me with my curiosity...
RonAKA valerio01538
Posted
I am not any kind of eye professional. But, my understanding is that presbyopia is an issue with the lens and muscles that change the shape of the lens to focus the eye closer. Lasik changes the shape of the cornea to correct vision and at least in theory should not be impacted. But, for sure if changes in the lens continue to happen the accuracy of a Lasik correction could be impacted. And yes, for sure Lasik incisions on the cornea make it more difficult to measure the shape of the eye. But, if a long time goes by from the Lasik to cataract surgery one would wonder how accurate they will be. It certainly would be worthwhile to ask that the measurements be recorded for future use.
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All considered it makes a lot of sense to use contacts instead of making permanent changes to the eye, until it becomes necessary.
rwbil sandra04210
Posted
Yea, my advice is don't do it. It is not just about dysphotopsias. This is eye surgery with an IOL that does not completely fill the capsule bag, leaving high risk or floater and retina tears. For some people the surgery and lens placement looks great and still their vision is not good.
Get contacts for distance and try those new drops for close; I think Vuity.
valerio01538 RonAKA
Posted
Yes, I'm not some kind of ophthalmologist either, but I think that since presbyopia makes a person farsighted, LASIK done for near vision will be lost as presbyopia progresses. Likewise, if a person starts out with a myopia-causing central cataract, as was my case, they will soon lose LASIK for distance vision as well. I agree with you when you say that "it makes a lot of sense to wear contact lenses instead of making permanent changes to the eye until needed"
sandra04210 Jennifer_Guess
Posted
Thanks for the reply. I have cancelled the surgery. Just didn't feel informed enough, and was unusually indecisive about it so will explore other options. I was slightly persuaded because when I went for the consultation he found that I had poor drainage in my eyes so i will need to have a laser procedure to address that to prevent glaucoma,(optician hadn't noticed anything!). As that is caused by the thickening of my lenses, lens replacement would have addressed that. However, I think the advice is good, and I need to at least look into contacts as an initial solution.
RonAKA sandra04210
Posted
I went with IOL monovision and am now contact free. But when I was simulating monovision I found the Costco Kirkland daily contacts to be the most comfortable contacts I have ever used. I believe they are CooperVision Daily.
sandra04210 RonAKA
Posted
Thanks. Will contact my optician and get a referral to the eye clinic to sort out the drainage issue (can't use contacts until I have that sorted a it is the thickness of my lens that is a problem), then will give contacts a go. Ill make a note of those in particular. Thanks again for the steer
Jennifer_Guess sandra04210
Posted
I am glad that you cancelled. I would not recommend this surgery unless needed. Although my vision is great, I worry that something will happen in the future as others have mentioned. I also now have dry eye which is kind of annoying.