How to choose the right IOL

[FL251]

Hi,
I'm a 50 year old female who is having cataract surgery soon..
I'm very myopic and try to choose the right IOL for myself. I was only given two options which are ReStore multifocal lens and Traditional Monofocal lens. My main concerns with Restore lens is the potential glare and poor night vision
and poor intermediate vision with Monofocal lens.
I don't mind wearing reading glasses but won't be happy to wear glasses for intermediate vision.
What would be your opinion in my case?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I have implanted multifocal IOLs since 2000 and rarely recommend them now.  Patient who later develop macular problems do poorly with multifocal IOLs.  Even with prefect surgery about 5% will not adapt to the glare and halos a night.

As Jodie recommended I would chose a Crystalens (I have one in my eye).  However,  this lens is more difficult to implant and hit target.  You must find an experience Crystalens surgeon.  Look on the Crystalens website and look for a center of excellence.

Dr. O.

[JodieJ]

I'd suggest that you get a second opinion with a surgeon who is experienced with the Crystalens and with mini-monovision.  These two options are your best bets for achieving good uncorrected distance and intermediate vision.

[yarrow]

Last year, I had bilateral cataract surgery and was given the reStor D-1 lens.  My result has been incredibly good.  However, my surgeon is very selective regarding his patients and their replacement lenses.  He chose the reStor for me for the following reason: I had been hyperopic all my life, with the 'short' eyeball we farsighted people have.  That factor was the major one.  He said that farsighted patients like me, with little or no astigmatism, and with certain other good intraocular measurements, are the best candidates for this lens.  As I said, I got an outstanding result, with excellent night vision and no problems with glare.

Your case sounds very different, and frankly, I would suggest you ask your doctor some serious questions about your lens choices.  What factors make him think you would do well with one versus the other?  On this board, at least, there have been many, many complaints from myopic patients who received the reStor lens.