restor near vision

[dk921]

Restore lens unilaterally implanted 4 months ago. Never had ANY near vision at all except in bright sunlight. Distance vision varies between 20/40 and 20/60 (dry eye)with intermediate so so but with a "ghost" image. I have not been prescribed glasses so I assume they will not improve the situation. What options do I have for my other eye eventually?

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

Depends on a lot of factors that are specific to your eyes.  I would find out why you're not seeing well out of the first eye and see if that can be improved prior to proceding with the other eye.  If your surgeon can't give you any answers, seek a second opinion from another experienced cataract surgeon who uses restor lenses (it may be fixable).

HV

[londonbridge]

I had Restor lens implanted unilaterally 3 1/2 years ago with the same problems. I know there have been changes and improvements to this lens and possible fixes to your problems so my information may not be as current as others. However I wound up having the lens explanted and a mono focal lens implanted in its place. I chose a top surgeon experienced in explants and evaluated my other options carefully before deciding. In my case besides the glare, halos, lack of close vision, the lens was the wrong prescription leaving me moderately far sighted ( I had been previously very near sighted in that eye). I now have yet to do the second eye with a minor cataract and wear one contact lens instead with variable bifocal glasses to sharpen up reading and computer. When I do the other eye I will choose to have blended mono vision with my first IOL that is set for intermediate and my new IOL for distance (that is the contact I use now). I can see well at all distances except reading small print or in dim light.

Whatever path you take please do not do the YAG procedure (sometimes recommended as a fix to clear blurry vision) because that will make a hole in your capsule and make it very difficult or impossible to do an an explant if you choose. Take heart, there is a solution. I wish you good luck.

Londonbridge