My optometrist, who I've been going to for several years, told me recently that I should look into getting cataract surgery, so I have started looking around. I've gone to a couple of ophthalmologists, and I've gotten conflicting recommendations.
I need to mention that I have a macular pucker in both eyes. I am slated to meet with a retina specialist to learn more about that. I have also been told that I have a slight unevenness in my corneas. I apparently don’t have astigmatism.
For some time now, my sight has been getting worse. My distance vision is blurry, but I can still see well enough to drive without glasses. I can no longer read or view my computer screen (which is how I spend a significant part of my day) without reading glasses. My optometrist hasn't had me get prescription glasses. Instead, he has encouraged me to get by with my drugstore reading glasses.
Finally, I am 73 years old.
My questions have to do with what is possible for someone in my situation.
One surgeon told me that he could install Symfony lenses and that the macular puckers, which he looked at, would not present a problem. Another surgeon told me that given those very conditions, he would only install mono-focal lenses focused on distance. He ruled out multi-focal lenses. I have read about a "mono-vision" solution using one mono-focal lens focused on distance and the other focused on close up, but he ruled out even that.
I, of course, would like a solution that would enable me to see well across all ranges (preferably even without glasses). Failing that, I'd probably rather see better close up and middle distances than far.
How do I decide which surgeon to believe and go with?
Also, I don't fully understand how these complicating conditions (the macular puckers and the unevenness in my cornea) affect which kind of lens I can use.