UK 60 Year Old, Considering Lens Exchange - Zeiss AT Lisa vs Zeiss AT Lara?? Input much appreciated!
Posted , 6 users are following.
I'm UK based, 60 years old and am getting particularly fed up with constantly swapping glasses (distance / reading) - I have tried varifocals, but can't seem to get on with them.
Last week I met with Optegra, an organisation that does laser and lens surgey - they have said I am an ideal candidate for lens exchange, and the surgeon specifically mentioned Zeiss Lisa tri focals as his favoured product.
However, I really like the sound of the Lara's, particularly if they give me less issues at night. I'm also a keen golfer, and I think the progressive nature of the Lara technology would be better for golf.
Any comments or input much appreciated!!
Thanks 😃
0 likes, 9 replies
derek40125 awcUK
Posted
From your email, I'm assuming that you do not have cataracts and are considering this surgery to eliminate the need for glasses? You'll find a few people on this forum that will agree with you, but the majority of us will say not to do the surgery in this case as there are always risks and your vision can't be replaced.
Can you wear contact lenses? If you can or if you aren't sure I would advise you to try multifocal contact lenses as an option before IOL surgery. You have to be prepared to try several different lenses but if one works for you it can work beautifully. I have a multifocal IOL (due to cataract) in one eye and now wear a daily, disposal multifocal contact in the other eye. The contact gives me excellent vision from infinity to about 16". I used to wear reading glasses of different strengths for almost everything. Without the contact, my focus point in that eye is around 5", so I am quite nearsighted.
awcUK derek40125
Posted
Derek,
Many thanks for the reply and comments. I do not have cataracts, and yes - I am trying to eliminate the need for glasses. I must confess that I hadn't really thought much about contact lenses, and I certainly hadn't considered multifocal contact lenses. Are they easier to adjust to than multifocal (varifocal) glasses? As I said, I have tried those and even after a week or more they were very disorienting for me.
I know I am chasing utopia somewhat, but I am simply trying to regain good (or excellent...) all round vision (reading / intermediate computer work and distance) without the reliance on glasses.
Thanks again, Andy
derek40125 awcUK
Posted
Andy:
If you find a mulitfocal contact that works for you (and you tolerate contacts well), it will be a completely different experience for you than varifocal glasses. They do make bifocal contacts too and these will function similarly to glasses in that you'll have zones for distance and close viewing.
Multfocal contacts are quite different (and more similar to mutlifocal IOL's) in that you won't notice the different zones. To me, my vision in my eye with the contact "feels" no different from my eyesight before I developed presbyopia, except that the close vision range ends around 16" or so and I need reading glasses if i need to do really close work (or remove the contact). I find though, that very little of my time is actually spent viewing in this close range. I can use my phone, laptop, computer, TV, drive, and do pretty much everything else without reading glasses now.
If you go this route, you will need a patient optometrist. Regular contacts are pretty easy to "fit" but multifocals are different. In my case they either worked pretty much perfectly or not at all. I tried about 6 sample lenses (usually free for the optometrist) until we got one that worked but it works really well.
awcUK derek40125
Posted
Derek
Your comprehensive input is very welcome, thank you. I have an appointment on Wednesday with my Optometrist to review the options and hopefully embark on some trial lenses, so fingers crossed!!
Cheers, Andy
mjcg awcUK
Posted
I would proceed very cautiously, especially since you do not have cataracts (and these will come if you live long enough). If you can wear contact lenses or progressive glasses, I'd opt for that instead. Aging brings on many changes with our eyesight and none of it is avoidable. Don't be shy about seeking another opinion. When I had cataract surgery on my left eye (developed after a vitrectomy), I saw three ophthalmologists and each one had differing recommendations for lens replacements. You have time on your side and with time comes improved technology and patient reviews. Do keep us posted on what you decide to do!
derek76 mjcg
Posted
I think he has met up with a good sales team as most of these companies are.
Sue.An2 derek76
Posted
I have wondered whether there will be a separate forum for those seeking to correct presbyopia through clear lens exchange. It is good they come here at least they will get a perspective they wouldn't get otherwise.
janus381 awcUK
Posted
Found this old post, and thought I'd share some comments.
3+ years ago (before I found out I had cataracts), my wife (who does not have cataracts) was looking into this. She is extremely near-sighted, and had worn contacts here whole life. Contacts were starting to cause issues, such as eye infections every few years. So Optometrist suggested she look into IOLs. At the time, I really did not like the idea of taking out your natural lens before it was necessary. But the counter point is that she would likely eventually need cataract surgery anyways (who knows when), so why not do it now.
She looked into this for 2+ years, and eventually ended up getting regular Laser Surgery with mono-vision (one eye for distance, one for intermediate). But she got lots of conflicting recommendations from the three top laser eye clinics in Toronto:
One suggested IOL exchange, and commented that her natural lens was "yellow". Her optometrist then sent her to a specialist who confirmed her natural lens is still fine.
Another clinic suggested IOL exchange combined with laser surgery.
While the third said she was still a good candidate for laser surgery.
She ended going with the third clinic and got PRK (not Lasik), and is very happy with you results
Now that I'm going through the cataract surgery process myself, my personal opinion is that if you have no reason to do a lens exchange now, it is absolutely best to wait. The main reason is that there seem to be significant improvements in IOLs. The current generation of tri-focal IOLs which have been in use in Europe for 6 years and in Canada for almost 2 years have many advantages, and much fewer negatives. I fully expect that technology will continue to improve so that in 3-4 years time, IOLs will be even better.
Sue.An2 janus381
Posted
Although I can fully appreciate one of the reasons to wait for cataract surgery is due to better and better IOLs coming (I too am Canadian) there are still elements of this surgery that are risky - too much so to remove a perfectly good natural lens. Presbyopia should be corrected with glasses. IOLs are all 6mm in diameter and the younger one the more the pupil dilates in low light and darkness. This is very annoying and hard to live with for someone whose pupils dilate beyond IOL. Other things can go wrong to - not sure I'd risk it just to off my glasses. I had cataract surgery st 53 due to severe cataracts both eyes - feel very cheated that I won't be able to benefit from later generations of IOLs that may mot have the extra halos that premium lenses cause.