Community Chat

[Just Me Too]

I have to select the type of lens for my eyes after cataract surgery. I am so confused! What type did you choose and like. The doctor said if I choose the near, far and arms length there will be halos around lights. If you chose this type what is your experience and would you do it again?

Thanks

[I am still oxox]

I had cataract surgery in both eyes and I was never give a choice, my opthopologist decided which lens would be the best for my needs

[hckynut]

I have a Multi-Focal "iol" in my Left Eye and a Mono-Focal "iol" in my Right Eye. I can see good at all distances, including reading all the smallest fonts on my prescription bottles. This option works well for me. It cost me $1700 out of my own pocket for the Multi-Focal "iol", the other was all paid for by Medicare. ETA: I was given several options!

[Just Me Too]

hckynut(john)

Thank you so much this is very helpful. This is what I am thinking about and I have one friend that agrees with you. My Doctor said some people complain about halos so I am trying to find out from people that actually went in this direction. I need all distances so it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to choose only 1. Thanks again.

[sophiamarie]

Last August, I had both eyes done, two weeks apart. I was given an option also - at $2,500 for EACH lens - OR the doctor would give me his own Rx for each eye. I thought about it and then wondered what would happen if I picked the expensive ones what would happen if, some day, my vision changed a little and they wouldn't do me any good anymore. So I would have these expenses "permanent" lenses and still need glasses....

He said he would order them just in case I changed my mind at the last minute and I did, right before they "put me out"... I told him I wanted to go with whatever he did. He gave my right eye a Rx for near and the left eye for far....... He said I might need "readers" from the dime store. As it turned out, I don't need glasses (after wearing progressives for years). I did buy a pair at the Dollar Tree, just to see if there was any difference in the small print, and there isn't.

So, it's really up to you. Medicare (if you have it) doesn't pay for the fancy lens but they will pay up to $200 for your first pair of glasses, should you need them. He also told me about the halos and something else, which I wasn't happy about.

Let us know what you decided and you'll be surprised at how much better you will be able to see everything.

[Just Me Too]

sophiamarie

Thanks for you comment. I tried the contacts with the combination you mentioned and my brain didn't like it at all. I tried real hard to adjust but finally gave up. I am so worried about making the wrong decision since I can't go back and change my mind.

[sophiamarie]

I found this online. You can google multi-focal IOL and risks and decide for yourself if you want to go this route.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the diffractive multifocal IOL?

The diffractive multifocal lens implant provides excellent reading vision and very good distance vision. The intermediate vision is acceptable but some patients who do lots of computer work find they need to sit closer to the computer, make the font size larger on the screen, or get a pair of intermediate vision spectacles to make intermediate work more comfortable. In addition, 25% of patients note glare and haloes around lights at night with the diffractive multifocal IOL, a feature that is inherent to multifocal lenses. These effects may interfere with your ability to drive comfortably at night. However, most patients find that they get used to this phenomenon with time and the glare and halos become less obvious. Night driving spectacles may assist in reducing this phenomenon. You should know that approximately 7-8% of patients implanted with monofocal lenses also notice glare and halos.

[sophiamarie]

On 3/22/2015 Just Me Too said:

sophiamarie

Thanks for you comment. I tried the contacts with the combination you mentioned and my brain didn't like it at all. I tried real hard to adjust but finally gave up. I am so worried about making the wrong decision since I can't go back and change my mind.

Sorry - but I don't understand what you mean. Do you wear contacts???

I think, if you trust your doctor, maybe he will be honest with you and help you decide what is right for you. I don't know your age, your state of health, etc. Just make sure that whatever you decide, it will be permanent. Once they're in - they are in for good.....

[HiLo]

I don't need glasses now after having this surgery.

[Just Me Too]

sophiamarie, Thanks for the link. I read several on the web but missed that one it is helpful. No I do not wear contacts, I tried them but they did not work for me. I tried near in one eye and distance in the other and it was terrible. I wear progressive now. I do trust my Doctor however she told me about each and left it up to me. The permanent thing is what I am so worried about. I tend to worry way to much but that is just the way I am.