Restor Lens IOLs

[blurr]

Hello, I sure hope someone out there can answer some of my questions.
Two weeks ago I had Restor Aspheric IOL lenses implanted into my eyes and small slits made to correct the astigmatism. I was told the lenses would give me almost perfect near & far vision and good intermediate vision. They did warn me that I may experience rings and halos around lights at night. (I had no idea how bad this would be)
Since I love to spend all my free time outside and on the waters fly fishing the thought of being rid of my progressive glasses was a dream come true.
Right now my distance isn't too bad but not nearly as clear as it was before with my glasses. My near and intermediate vision is terrible. Everything is a blurr. I can't read anything unless its about 10 inches away and working at the computer is really difficult. Text on a white back ground looks as if someone has taken a light grey highlighter to it and white on black is almost painful. I work as a draftsperson for a busy engineering firm and if I can't see I can't work! My right eye is the worst as far as pain goes and I always have a dull headache which seems to be from eyestrain or bright lights.
What I need to know is:
Is this normal?
How long does it take for the lenses to "shrinkwrap" as they say to the where they're supposed to be?
Do most people have good results immediately or are they just as scarred as I am in the beginning?
I look forward to any advise you can give me.

[moody69]

A related discussion, Natural Remedies Work? was started.

[ZoomZoom300hp]

A related discussion, Don't do it! go with regular lens Period was started.

[jettson6]

It has been one week after my cataract surgery with the restor lens, my up close vision is pretty good, however my distance is same as before surgery(other words no better) my understanding was the monofocal and the restore would correct my distance vision the same,. and the restore would help my upclose.  Does anyone know how long it will take for my distant vision to improve..

[blurr]

Hi Alicia,
Just wondering how you are doing now? We had our surgerys at about the same time. Are things improving for you too? I would really like to know.
Blurr

[blurr]

Thanks guys, I'm trying very hard to make this work.
blurr

[disappointed66]

It is great to hear some good news about Restor. I hope you will "love" your  new eyes real soon!  Good luck. Keep in touch.

Regards,
disappointed 66

[londonbridge]

Your news is encouraging and i wish you the best.
londonbridge

[roncun]

I hope that you continue to see improvement each day.  Good luck with your appointment in Nov.  Please keep in touch and best wishes for good vision.
Ron

[blurr]

Hello Everyone.
It's now been 5 weeks since I got my Restor implants. Things do seem to be improving a little each day. I'm wearing 1.5 strength readers most of the time while working on the computer. The grey ghosting around text seems to be diminishing and I can now read clearly at about 13 inches without them although I still feel some eye strain. Night driving is also getting better. The halos aren't bothering me as much as they did at first. I'm probably just getting used to them or my brain is finally doing what it's supposed to and ignoring them. The worst is outside in the daylight. I still feel like I'm looking through a plastic bag. It almost seems surreal. Hopefully this will improve over time as well.
I'm to see my surgeon again on Nov. 20 and I really hope to be able to tell him that I love my new eyes and all is well with the world. We'll see.....

[roncun]

Wow, doesn't it seem more logical to fix the problem rather than jeopardize another structure of the eye?  I have to argree with all of you.  Maybe this doctor is not confidant with going inside the eye again and is more comfortable working on the outside.  The DVD of my surgery shows that the doctor rotated my lens almost 180 degrees after it unfolded.  The outter clips didn't fully deploy at first and he kept pushing and turning the lens until it was in place. Here's my question. If the lens is sized properly, and manufactured with the correct power can it be repositioned rather than explanted?  Wouldn't it be less risky than explantation.?  If replaced with a new lens it would have to be positioned properly anyway.  It makes perfect sense to remove a lens that is defective in some way, or unacceptable to to the patient, but is there a way to salvage a perfectly good lens with minimal risk to the patient?  Has anyone hear of this?  Best of luck.... princetonart            Ron

[londonbridge]

Please read my threads under londonbridge. I concur with all of the others. I would not do anything to my pupil.  Having an off center Restor would definitely worsen the problems since you are already trying to look through a narrow band of focus. My Restor lens was the wrong power and left me farsighted, thus no good vision at any distance.
Get several expert opinions. Your best option may be to explant eventually and go with a monofocal. At least you will have good vision at some focal point. I have one Monofocal for intermediate and a contact for distance in my dominant eye. I use prescription no line bifocals to correct astigmatism and for close tasks over by contact. Eventually I will get a distance monofocal in my contact eye.
My vision is so much more normal feeling with a monofocal. No problems with glare, halos, ghosting etc.
good luck and don't despair.
londonbridge

[alicia606]

Blurr,  I'm sorry you have to wait another month...maybe it will work out and miraculously your vision will clear up.  I'm still waiting for mine to do so.  It shouldn't affect the outcome if you have to explant the ReStors. I had no problem driving at night, but then I still have the one eye that has no lens in it so that helped.  However, I did cover that eye and tried to see the effect of the halos in the ReStor eye.  It wasn't as bad as I remember when I drove to the supermarket a month ago.  Overall, not a problem for me.  However, I still have blurry distance vision.  The other night, it was clear for a couple of hours and I thought I was getting better, but that hasn't happened again.  All very confusing.  I'm continuing with my dry eye treatment and will wait.  Frustrating, I know.

Princetonart, I also wouldn't let the doctor do that pupil procedure without thorough research and getting another opinion.  How experienced is your surgeon implanting the ReStor lens?  Since it's not centered, I'd wonder about that.  Mine is centered and I still have issues with my lens.  I would get another opinion because if you are thinking of having them explanted, you want someone who has experience doing that.

[Restornomore]

The idea of mucking about with what is probably a perfectly good pupil to conform to a botched lens-job sounds horrible to me.  Consider that any additional procedure that tries to conform your eye to the lens (doesn't that strike you as the wrong way around!) makes a lens exchange more difficult if not impossible.  This includes lasik and YAG (though that's for a secondary occlusion, not for conformity).

Perhaps you should get a couple of second opinions before entrusting your eye to this doctor again.  I'd look for someone reputable who does not tout any so-called "premium" lens.

In my opinion (and that of a few others on this forum) you won't get the maximum of "crisp" vision with any multifocal lens.  Whatever you do, don't be talked into a second restor unless you are delighted with the first - you will only get a double helping of trouble.

Regards, Restornomore

[blurr]

Art - If your lens was put in incorrectly then the doctor should remove it and replace it with a new one. And do it right this time! Thats a given as far as I can see.
I'm having all kinds of trouble adjusting to my Restors but if my problems were because of a bad job then I don't know what I would do.
Alicia - how did you do on your night time drive? It's dark up here in Calgary in the mornings now and I will be driving myself to work tomorrow for the first time in over a week. Hope it doesn't snow....

I saw my surgeon again today and after all the same tests with and without dilation everything came out as it should. He asked me to give it another month and if by then my eyes and brain haven't done they're 'neural adaption'  (? not exactly sure what that means) then he will remove them and put in traditional lenses. I was somewhat upset and he knew it. Part of me wanted the surgery right now and the other part just wanted to go home and sit in the dark.
At home on the weekend I was so sure that things were getting better but then today in the office I could hardly see anything even with my readers. Why is it that they work for me at home but not at work? My headache was back and so was the eye pain. It must be the florescent lighting in my office. I have the same problems in the grocery stores.
I guess for now I have no choice but to get a bunch of different strength reading glasses and to suck it up. I'll let you know how I'm doing in a few days.

Still Blurry.

[disappointed66]

I had the restore lens put in my right eye in July.  It was a nightmare. I could not see anything.  I changed surgeons and had it explanted and a technis monfocal exchanged. in August  I am very happy with the monofocal lens. Before you do anything else,check the forum archieves.or click on  my name.  You will find a lot more information. Good Luck

[Princetonart]

I wish I had never had my cataract surgery...

I am on my second week of the ReStor lens in my left eye.  If I had known just how poor my vision would be, I would have kept my cataract. My doctor tells me that the ReStor lens didn't center correctly, so I am actually looking through the edge of the lens instead of the center.  Needless to say, my vision is not crisp at any distance.  I am about 20/30 at distance, but anything closer than 5 feet is a blurr.  I have no ability to read with that eye.  

After reading all of the posts here, I am even more discouraged.  It seems like I have completely screwed up my eye.  I also need my eyes to work, and this is a major problem for me.

My doctor mentioned a procedure using laser to widen the pupil so that  the lens in effect becomes centered.  Has anyone heard of this?  I don't think it is common, and it sounds like a science experiment.

Should I just tell her to remove the ReStor and put in a monofocal lens?  Is that really my best option?   I hate this situation...

[alicia606]

Thank you Londonbridge for the advice.  For now I'll just wait.  There is a woman doctor who I could see down here for a third opinion.  I live close to Bascom Palmer but every time I ask about a surgeon there, my doctor doesn't think much of them apparently...so not sure if that would be the way to go.  I have traveled for medical reasons in the past.  Last year I went up to Wills to consult with a glaucoma specialist and I did feel so comfortable with her that if I ever needed glaucoma surgery, I'd feel safe in her hands.  However, she told me that I'd be better off down here because of the required follow-up for glaucoma surgery.  For now, my eyes are stable and I don't need it.  I've also been to Boston for cosmetic work and had instant faith in that doctor as well.  I wish I could feel such faith with a doctor down here.  I have no plans to do anything with my other eye.  I've been disabused of the notion that cataract surgery (at least with the monofocals) is problem-free.  

Blurr, you do seem to have a lot of negative side effects from these lenses.  I don't have problems with glare.  At night I see these awful concentric circles around lights when outside.  I'm driving for a distance tomorrow night so I'll see how I do with that.  

I had mini-monovision with my contacts for a number of years and that worked out fairly well for me.  My reading vision was pretty much like it is with the ReStor.  I still needed reading glasses for some things but it was nice not to be totally dependent on them for every near task.

Good luck with whatever you decide.  I can certainly understand wanting them out sooner rather than later if you have all those issues with them.  I wish mine was out so I didn't have to think about it any longer.  Please keep us updated.

[roncun]

I did experience some glare the first night and next day after surgery, but it didn't bother me that much.  Not to the point of being sick or anything. I still see the small halos around the headlights of oncoming cars in daytime and at night but no glare beyond that. They look like "fish eyes" to me and are about the size of a large dinner plate, no bigger.  I'm still putting in the drops and when looking up at the light can see the concentric circles of the IOL when the drop hits my eye.  My doctor gives his patients a DVD of their surgery and on the DVD I see the concentric circles of the lens as it is being implanted unfolding in my eye.  These are the only times that I have seen the circles of the lens.  Ron

[blurr]

Thank you all for taking the time to write.
Ron to answer some of your questions, yes I do believe I will be able to speak to my surgeon after the tests on Monday. I will make a list so as not to forget anything. Thankfully I have my very best friend that always comes with me and is very concerned about my well being. So if I miss something he is my backup.
I don't think the surgeon is fully convinced that I should have the explant but said that if it was to be done then sooner is better than later. He said that if done now he can use the same incision as before which he prefers. Later on he will have to make a new one but it can still be done.
The tests I'm having on Monday without dilation will show him if there is still swelling or inflammation in the back of the eye. I guess if there is then maybe that is whats causing my poor vision and I should wait and see if it gets better with time.
Right now I'm wearing 2.25 readers and can see quite well. The ghosting is gone and I even feel less strain on my poor sore eyes.
This morning I went out shopping for a while and found that the glare both inside and outside of the store to be very uncomfortable. Outside I almost get to feel dizzy and sick to my stomach. This must be from the rings on the lenses. Does that ever go away? Do you experience this Ron?
Jodie, I have done a little reading about your suggestion of getting mini-monovision (distance vision in dominant eye, intermediate vision in non-dominant), and am leaning that way. I only hope I can adapt to it easily because it will probably be my last chance at good eye sight. I am a draftsperson and head up the department so on a daily bases I am either sitting at the computer working or standing at the layout table going over maps and drawing with my coworkers. This requires good intermediate vision. I don't have any problem having to wear reading glasses for closer work. Therefore the mini does sound ideal.
Alicia the tear in the bag, as explained to me, divides what I see with that eye in half and offsets the two pictures ever so slightly. I don't think there is any way to repair this. (Another question for my list.)
T too see much better first thing in the morning. It's as if the eyes get tired as the day goes on. I also had pretty good vision the day after my second eye was done. I was really happy for a few days and then the world got all oily.
This weekend I'm going to try to forget about how bad I'm seeing and use only the tears regularly. Maybe things will improve.
I'll let you all know what the doc has to say after my next visit and again thank you for your support.

[londonbridge]

roncon - I am pleased for you that you are happy with Restor and I think that speaks volumes about finding the very best eye surgeon as the folks at Wills eye hospital obviously are. Wills is consistently rated one of the best in the world. I think for the right patients they obviously can work. The problem is for people that may not fit the the proper profile i.e. astigmatism, high myopia (like myself, the Restor had only recently been aprooved for my prescription etc.)
alicia606 - Sorry this is such a dilema for you. An explant is neither no big deal or something to avoid. It is also not wrong or unsual to seek several other opinions, preferably from a highly experienced eye surgeon at one of the top research hospitals even if you have to travel. Mine was two hours away but I definitley would have traveled farther. Even my surgeon, one of the top in the world had not done many explants but I trusted him to do the surgery because of his skill and honesty. He told me that he would not proceed if when he got in there it was too risky.


I too have a small cataract in my other eye. For now I have left it and will eventually set it as close to plano as possible as my nondominate IOL is set for intermediate. I wear a contact for distance (-7.5).

From what I have read one can do fine with a Restor in one eye and a monofocal in the other so do not be persuaded to get another Restor as this will  likely double your problem. Never proceed with the second eye until you can be satisfied with the first.

While it is best to do an explant sooner rather than later, you do have time if you are uncertain. I waited six months while I pondered all my options and sought opinions.Believe me when I tell you, you will know when you have found a surgeon you can trust and that is what it will come down to.

to blurr - yes inflamation and steriod drops can definitely affect vision. I too had a fold in my capsular bag, but a very experience surgeon said many people have this and that it didn't account for the poor quality of my vision with Restor. I believe him . Under no circumstances have a Yag procedure done to make a hole in the capsular bag. Hardly any one will want to risk explant after that. I would wait a little while to see if vision improoves, but not too long once you have determined that your vision is stabilized with the multifocals and that is the best you can do.

Good luck and best wishes to all.
londonbridge

[JodieJ]

If you got monofocal IOLs set for mini-monovision (distance vision in dominant eye, intermediate vision in non-dominant), you would probably only need glasses for prolonged reading or seeing small print.  However, even if you chose to have both IOLs set for distance, you'd do just fine at a dinner party without your progressive glasses.  (Do your friends who never needed glasses until they developed presbyopia wear their readers to socialize or to have dinner with their spouse?  Mine don't, unless they need to read a menu.  Your vision with IOLs set for distance would be about the same as their vision, and you'd need to wear glasses about as often as they do, i.e., for sharp near and computer vision.)

I'm not an eye care professional, but I've  that it is better to do an explant sooner rather than later.  It's good to have faith in your doctor, but the choice of whether to have your ReStors explanted (and, if so, the refractive targets for the monofocal replacements) should be made by YOU.  (It's YOUR vision, after all.)  So my best advice is to make a decision soon.  

[roncun]

I remember seeing a chart on the wall in my surgeon's examination room.  It matched the varioius lenses with certain eye condtions.  The ReSTOR lens was not listed for use with astigmatism.  My wife was with me and she said, "I have astigmatism so I guess that if I had a cataract I wouldn't get the ReSTOR lens."  Each case is different, however, and I'm sure that your doctor selected the best lens and treatment regime for you. I asked a nurse in the surgical center how many lenses my surgeon had explanted.  She thought for a minute and then said that she could only remember one in the three years that she was there.  She said that the doctor really didn't want to take it out and waited quite a long time to see if there was any improvement before explantation.  I, too, have complete trust in my surgeon.  He is Harvard trained and teaches at the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia and also has a private practice.  I know that he has extensive experience in cataract surgery.  On my second surgery I was #25 of 32 cataract patients that day.  But, he was never too busy to answer any and all questions that I had.  I even requested a special consultation before the first surgery. I had so many questions that I wrote them down on a piece of paper as I thought of them so that I wouldn't forget them.  I guess what I'm trying to suggest is 1) There seemed to be a sense of urgency in your post. 2) After further testing would your doctor be available for consultation to discuss results and options? Before possible surgery next week? 3) Because your surgeon said he can explant next week, does this mean that he is convinced that they should be explanted?  At that time? If so, why? Has your doctor already decided to explant prior to getting the test results and will the tests give him any info that might influence his decision to or not to explant?  4) Should your and your doctor's decision to have surgery hinge on his vacation schedule?  Why?  4) What does your surgeon expect as the best outcome for your case? Worst?  5) Should there be a second opinion? ..... Your surgeon should welcome and encourage your active participation.  You say that you only have a "few days" and feel "desperate".  I don't think that you should feel this way.  I wish you the best and may I suggest that you can use this time to get more info from the tests, your doctor, and other sources to get your best possible outcome.    Ron

[alicia606]

I feel for you having to make such a tough decision as I'm torn also.  I'm not sure what effect the slight fold in the capsular bag means.  How is the other eye that doesn't have the fold?  What does your doctor recommend?  My understanding is that it wouldn't make much difference if you waited an additional month or two.  I'm waiting at least another month before deciding.  Londonbridge I believe waited quite a bit longer than that and had successful explants.  It may make sense not to act in such haste and wait to see if the ReStor lenses can be made to work.  There are definite advantages to having near vision.  My right eye with the contact leaves me with no near vision.  If I had both eyes like that I think I'd have to have readers around my neck at all times.

Roncun, you are lucky to have such good results with the ReStor, and according to my doctor representative of his happy ReStor patients.  Obviously, they work for a lot of people or I can't believe all these doctors would continue to implant them just for the money.

[blurr]

I'm very happy for you roncun and only wish I had the same results.
I saw my surgeon today and he said he could put in monofocals but I would need progressive glasses for close up work and wouldn't see much of anything without them. I'm worried about the distance that the new lenses will be set to. I really hope I will be able to see the people across the table from me with them?
My doctor is the best ophthalmologist here in Alberta so I have complete trust in him. I'm the first of all his patients that has had these severe problems. He told me to stop using the anti-inflammatory drops and come back next week for more tests. He said the drops may be contributing to my blurriness and I may still have some swelling in the back of my eyes. There is also a slight fold in the capsular bag of one eye.
He can do the surgery next Wed or Thurs but after that he will be away for 3 weeks. If I wait until he comes back that will be 2 months since the Restor's went in. I don't know what to do. Wait and see if my sight improves over the next 4 weeks or have the monofocals put in now and then deal with whatever the out come will be?
I've got a few days to think about it but I'm feeling quite desperate right now.
Any advice out there?