Posted on 10/23/2023 5:03:28 PM PDT by TNoldman
I am 88 and need Cataract Surgery. I am very active and want to continue to wear glasses for eye protection for my varies hobbies (Carpentry, auto repair, etc).
I am nearsighted and have always worn glasses. I prefer single focus Lenses - should go for "Near" new Lens them adjust with new glasses or "Far" then adjust with new glasses.
...or give your best recommendations that you have from your own experience!
Not from experience, but I would choose the fixed lens and the ability to change my glasses lens as needed. It would be similar to how I see now so there wouldn’t be any change to get used to with the adjustable lens.
I’ve worn glasses since 4th grade and am used to them, and they’ve prevented objects from hitting me in the eye more than once. Was very blessed on that point alone!
I chose “far”, and wear reading glasses. Like you, I’ve always been near sighted. I am happy with that choice.
My aunt chose one far, and one near, and it worked for her. I tried that with contact lenses about 30 years ago but couldn’t adapt to it.
In 2014, I chose “far”, and wear reading glasses. Am happy with that choice. I was worse than 20/400 since elementary school, so the day I was able to see perfectly in the distance I was so happy I almost cried.
My aunt chose one far, and one near, and it worked for her. About 30 years ago I tried that with contact lenses but just couldn’t adjust.
I got far from the VA because I drive a lot and they work well for me with wearing progressive lens.
But with your profile I’d recommend near. The thing that really bugs me is that I can’t see my eyes anymore close up so when I get an eyelash stuck in the eyes it’s really a pain in the ass to fish it out. Also, I need to use eyedrops daily and I can’t count how many times I’ve poked my eyes trying to use the drops....
Exactly the same for me. Left eye for near, right eye for far. The brain adapts and I have no need for glasses.
I recommend “far” correction for both lenses, then get glasses for reading. Has
worked well for me.
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I’m wrestling with the decision on lens choice also. I’m leaning toward your choice as of now. But in addition to being nearsighted I also have astigmatism.
Does anybody have experience with cataract surgery replacement lenses that CORRECT FOR BOTH NEARSIGHTEDNESS AND ASTIGMATISM?
I had lenses in both eyes replaced last year with Toric multi-focal lenses. Eyes are my white coat phobia.....but the procedure didn’t last more than 12 minutes per eye, no pain/discomfort other than a bright light, and I was corrected from 20/50 to 20/25.
I’ve enjoyed the last year being able to wear normal sunglasses for the first time since age 26.
I got the “far” lens in one eye and it has improved my vision considerably. However, on my doctor’s advice, I have put off getting the next eye done. He wants to see how a new pair of glasses that he has ordered will work out.
I considered the adjustable lenses, but after reading your post, I’m glad I didn’t get them.
Bkmk
“I didn’t know you get a choice.. I’m probably going to get mine done after the new year and I’m only 62, but diabetic.”
This Forum will help us make an Educated decision.
I had the lens replacement surgery done 5 years ago. They will put you in contacts to see which lens will work for you ahead of the surgery. Some 10 percent of people can not adjust to one eye near and one eye far so have to opt for the more expensive lens that will adjust like a natural lens. Best decision i could have made. Have not needed glasses except for very small print or dim light these last few years.
My wife opted for the distance vision. Then had problems with protein coating the lenses, and pain. The pain was attributed to dry eyes, which several treatments failed to relieve. And the doctor opted to use a YAG laser to remove the protein. Then the lenses did not remain in position, but drifted enough to lose her distance vision. Because the YAG laser was used, they can’t remove those lenses and replace them. She now has difficulty reading anything not in very large type, and has no distance vision, either. She can no longer drive. I opted for the close-up lenses. No problems, and I habitually wear no-line bifocal ANSI Z87 safety glasses. And no problems.
YMMV, but I’d not care to bet on it.
I don’t know if everyone has her experience… but I’m thinking I’ll make a different choice.
From what I hear, medicare only pays for single vision.
Myself, I have/had astigmatism and had light adjustable lenses installed. It wasn’t cheap but now can see better than ever before in my life.
There are lots of options and your doctor will probably recommend the one they’re most familiar with.
YMMV.
I am 72 and had my left eye done last week, my right eye next week. Because I have an astigmatism, I opted for Toric monofocal IOL. I have to pay extra for each eye but my distance vision should be near perfect. Will need glasses for upclose. My eyes were bad enough even with corrective lenses I probably could not pass my driving eye test next year.
My eye doc says the multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) lenses aren’t ready for prime time. IOL technology is exactly the same as contact lens technology, and some people get along fine with multifocal contacts and others can’t get them to work. IOLs are the same.
There’s also an arrangement called “monovision,” in which you have a long distance focus IOL in one eye and a near-focus IOL in the other. Then the visual cortex in your brain selects which eye is sending it the signal it needs for you to see clearly. Like the multifocals, it works great for some people and not at all for others. But your eye surgeon can let you test it by putting a close-focus-only contact lens in the eye you want the close-focus IOL in. Then you wear it a couple of days to see if you’re adapting. The upside, if it works for you, is you can have both good close-up vision and good distance vision without spectacles.
If you’re already cozy with wearing protective eyewear when you’re doing work with your hands, the no-risk solution would be to go for distance vision IOLs in both eyes and get spectacles that let you see up close. That gives you extra flexibility because you could even get a special pair of glasses for something extra-close-up, like threading a needle or fly-tying.
FR correction...
Paid extra for astigmatism lense... Now I only need glasses for reading...
Was extremely near sighted before...
If they don't give you a choice, get a new eye doctor.
For close vision you can even tell them just how close. 18 inches, 24 inches, three feet, etc.
A lot depends on how good their measurements of your eyeballs are. They can use ultrasound to measure them or laser or both. It's best if they do both and compare. If ultrasound and laser agree to within a tiny margin, then you've got a very precise measurement. And with a very precise measurement they can order an intraocular lens of the dimensions that's best suited to your particular eyeball, so it'll be more likely to perform exactly as you'd expected.
At about 75 I had cataract surgery and went through your decisions.
First, I chose the computer based surgery. It does a better job for astigmatism.
Next I chose the best modern lens the corrects for long distance. Now I will use “readers” for reading smaller print. My vision for night driving is excellent and I use sunglasses for daytime driving.
Talk to you eye doctor. Best of luck.
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