Non dominant eye for distance

[JackM829]

I had cataract surgery earlier this year. They did my left eye first as the cataract was worse in that eye. We set the IOL for distance and I'm very happy with the results.

Since we haven't done my right eye yet, I wear a +2.5 contact lens in my left eye to make working on the computer or reading much easier. It's not necessary but it helps immensely.

My left eye is not my dominant eye though.

So I was wondering if I had my right eye done to mimic how I see with the +2.5 lens [I'm not sure what the exact power would be --- would it be aiming for -2.5?]

So basically my question is, is there any harm or possible trouble with setting the non dominant eye for distance the the dominant eye for near vision?

I think I might just set the right eye for distance and just rely on reading glasses at the end of the day, but was just curious.

Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JackM829]

Thank you.

I know they tried setting me at 0.00 in my left eye, but as I've read before the formula for the IOL isn't always 100% exact so I was left at +0.75.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

At 10 days out of an uncomplicated surgery if the IOL was set for distance (greater than 20 feet/6 meters) the vision should be pretty clear. If it isn't but a glasses test (refraction) improves the distance vision nicely than the problem is usually IOL power problem. If the distance does not clear with glasses test it could be a medical problem. that's about all I can tell you.

You can ask them to do a glasses test to confirm you can see far away with glasses. At some point if things don't get better you might want a second opinion.

JCH MD

[safbham]

after surgery I could see from my right eye only close.  Now the letters get shadowed and jump a bit.  I am far-sighted with an astigmatism.  

[safbham]

I am 10 days out from cataract surgery on my right eye.  I was to have a distance lens put in.   After surgery my close vision in blurry and letters shadow but I cannot see far.  I went back to the Dr and was checked out
all was well witht  the surgery.  I was again assured the lens is for distance.
I was told the scar has to close over the lens.  None of this makes sense to me.  What might be your take on this?

[JackM829]

Oh of course. I also have retinitis pigmentosa which just makes it even more fun to deal with.

I wasn't looking for a generality, I was mainly just interested in learning if you set the non-dominant eye for distance and the dominant eye for near, if that's a bad idea.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yours is a complex problem that does not lend itself to generalities on the internet. Best discuss at length with your surgeon, even consider second opinion..

JCH MD

[JackM829]

My right eye is currently a -8 or -9. I don't recall exactly.

My left eye refractive error after cataract surgery is +0.75.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

On your RE aiming for a residual refractive error of -2.50 would be similar to what you see now ONLY if your RE has no refractive error for distance, that is 0.00 diopters.  If the RE has myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism then it would take a different power IOL.

You need to discuss this at length with your surgeon. You should probably try wearing no contact on your LE and a reading contact lens on your RE and see how that feels.

JCH MD