Restor Lens Problems

[MiserableinNj]

I had cataracts removed 9 weeks ago right eye, 7 weeks ago left eye.  I had the Restor lens put in both eyes.  I have had nothing but problems and curious if anyone else has had similar problems. My first problem was light sensitivity. I had to wear my sunglasses inside for almost 8 weeks (my husband refers to our house as the Bat Cave).  Fluorescent lighting is the worst and thats whats in my office. I had to work with the lights off for the first 8 weeks, I can turn them on now but the light still bothers me. I have dry eyes and it has gotten worse since surgery, the doctor put plugs in my tearducts but I'm constantly putting artificial tears in, which blurs my vision. Then my eyesight kept getting blurry with double vision. The doctor said I have Blepharitis and gave me Azisite. That seems to help but I have to use it every day along with warm compresses and a cleansing routine or the blurry vision gets worse.  She now wants to perform laser surgery on me for a slight astigmatism I have. She says this will help, they gave me glasses to try on with the way it should look after surgery. I can see clearer but still double vision and she doesn't know if that will go away.
I went to another doctor for a second opinion and he said don't do the surgery if there is a chance I'm going to extract the lens and put in a monofocal lens. Now I don't know what to do. I'm scared to have these lens' extracted and would like to try and keep them in. We won't even get into the issue of the so called "halos" around headlights. They are such HUGE spider webs that I can not drive at night any more. Has anyone had any or all of my problems? Has it gotten better with time? Has anyone had the laser surgery for astigmastism after implants? Any help would be appreciated, my quality of life is 0 these days.

[allmymarbles]

Neither one of my siblings has a problem with glare or halos. What they do say is that they now have the sight they had when they were young. My brother is 86 and my sister is 79.

[allmymarbles]

By the way, after I see my retinologist in November I will probably be ready for cataract surgery. If so I will get the monofocal tecnis aspheric acrylic lens set for distance. There are too many problems with the multifocals and I prefer to be happy.

[RESTORMYLIFE]

Unfortunatley, you have encountered some of the problems I have experienced with the Restor lens, I believe, your symptoms will finally be determined to be Dysphotopsia, many have reported this and if you research on the web, Dr. Bucci has written an excellent article.   Check out his article in Eyeworld.  Halos would have been acceptable to me, but you are experiencing the starbursts at night which can be almost blinding when trying to drive.
I have had all of the symptoms you described but I am also seeing the concentric rings of the lens  on all reflective surfaces, it is displayed in my glasses & sunglasses, the images of the 12 concentric rings keep appearing and multiplying.  My vision never improved and I still need glasses.  Several months later and after having tried anything, extreme migranes, etc., I had no choice but to opt for an explant.  I want to start enjoying life again. Hopefully you will be spared from having to go through this.  Try anti-glare glasses which are coated on the inside as well, hopefuly this will diminish your problem and you won't have to opt for an explant.  Whatever they try to tell you, do not agree to a 2nd Restor lens, it won't get better, you might just be faced with 2 explants in the future.
Good luck to you!  

[londonbridge]

I had one Restor implanted in July 2008 and explanted in January 2009. I opted for a monofocal toric, to correct astigmatism.  I have been very pleased with my vision. I wear one contact for distance vision and my IOL is set for intermediate giving me a good range of vision. I can read my blackberry and newsprint without reading glasses. I know there have been improvements to these lenses but if you are highly unsatisfied a skilled surgeon can explant them. It was a difficult decision and there are risks but it was more than worth it to live the rest of my life with good vision.  Do your research and find a surgeon who is highly competent, perhaps at a world renowned eye hospital like Wills in Phila.
good luck

[alohabja]

I had one Restor lens implanted in Aug 2009 - On my gosh I thought I've been loosing my mind - I have all the same problems as described. I thought this was only happening to me. We all have these problems in common,  I only wish I would have done this research prior to having this procedure done.

I suffer from Migraines - Waxy lens, Major Halo problems, I can't drive, I have a vertigo, light in every form bothers me.

I am opting for the explant & putting in the Monofocal lens - although I am nervous of the risks, I have to say these risks outweigh the problems I suffer with now.

I had a 2nd opinion with another doctor for the explant - I just need to make the decision now to do this. - I'd like to know if those of you that had this explant of the Restor lens had success, I realize everyone is different but I need some positive results.

Thanks so much to all of you for posting your experiences & problems.
I

[weazie256]

I had Restor lens put in back in 2007.  Halos were very bad but in time they eased up.  Still have some but they weren't as bad until I had Yag lazer in January because membranes covered my eyes again.  Now my distance is blurry and I could cry because prior to this my distance was fabulous and I could read (still can) without glasses.  I guess everyone is different but when they work, they were fabulous.  Don't know if my problem now is lens or if sometyhing else is going on.  Have been to a retina doc and can't get into cataract specialist till mid April.  In the meantime, have started on Restasis for the severe dry eye and have to wait it out.  Don't want to go back to glasses!!!

[Seachange4]

My wife has recently experienced the same issue with the Restor Acysof IQ and the Yag.  She has been using Restasis for now 2 weeks, no improvement.  Returning to the physician this week.   Would like to know if your problem was solved?

[JohnHaganMD]

Just FYI, restasis takes 4-6 months to work. It is great from dry eyes, I've been on it for 6 years but it does not start to work quickly.