Multifocal lenses

[jan796]

Am schedualed for cataract surgery next month. Want to find out all i can about multifocal lenses. My Dr says I need to make the choice. I would like to hear from others what their experences have been, As the multifocal lenses are so much more expensive. I currently wear contact lenses one for close vision. one for far. I only need surgery on the left eye. if I have the mono vision lense in that eye can I wear a contact for close vision in that eye as I do now? The cataract is interfering with the ability to correct the near vision in that eye. I do not mind the contacts and will need to wear one in the right eye. But I do not like having to wear glasses all the time or drag around reading glasses.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear jan796,

There are a number of different possible options of implants.    The nice thing about accommodative or multifocal lenses is that you have the option of obtaining a range of vision.  If you are successful at monovision contact lenses, you can have the implant set so that you can read in that eye or could have distance, and continue wearing a contact lens. While the choice of implant is yours, make sure to get all of your questions answered.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[JodieJ]

If someone can read without glasses with monofocal IOLs, I'd assume that they either have monovision or they are nearsighted.

If monovision with contacts worked well for you, you are an excellent candidate for monovision with IOLs.

[disappointed66]

Dear Jan 796

I had a multifocal lens implanted   It was a horror. Night driving is just about impossible. I was ready to have a nervous breakdown. I had an explant and  exchange done with a monofocal.  What a difference. I agree with Restornomore.  Do not make a hasty decision...

Since that Restor lens have been removed I have been a different person.
The monofocal are a relief.

I will wear glasses.  I will also be able to have the choice to were contacts.  You can get monovision contact lenses.  I used them sucessfully for years. I have the control now on what I want to do each day.  Wear my glasses or contacts.


And as JodieJ has said, take a pass on the multifocals. Go with the monofocals.  

I'm just another cataract patient, but I do not want anyone to make the same mistake I did.


Good luck!

Disappointednomore66

[Restornomore]

Jan796,

I would beg you on bended knees not to have any multifocal lens, esp if you have no objection to wearing glasses.  Click on my username to see my opinion of the Restor lens, which I am most likely going to get removed very soon at considerable risk and hardship.  Many other posters on this forum have had awful problems with the halos, ghosting, and generally poor vision associated with these lenses.  You get a greater depth of visual field, but the quality of vision is often awful.
Please, please do not be pushed into them without your full understanding, as often there are undisclosed financial interests involved.

This is just my personal opinion as a cataract patient, but you will find there are many confirming stories, and I have found many doctors in my home city simply will not use them.  Some patients apparently like them, but if you do not, rest assured your life will be a misery beyond your current imagining.

Be sure to discuss all of the monofocal options with your doctor if you go that way, as problems can be experienced there too if the setup is not matched to the patient and their interests and abilities to tolerate the inevitable adaptation that this major (it is not minor) surgery involves.

Regards, Restornomore

[londonbridge]

I echo completely the sentiments of JodieJ post of September 6 and  dissapointed 66.
I had Restor in one eye and had it explanted last Jan and a monofocal put in. Like dissapointed I feel like the vision is closer to my natural eye verses the very poor, non functional vision of the Restor.  I have one monofocal set for intermediate and one contact for distance in my unoperated eye. I wear progressive reading glasses. Works pretty well and I will eventually have my other eye done and set for distance.
The only premium lens I might look into would be an accomodating lens like Crystalens, but I am very happy with the tried and true monofocal. Most multifocal and accomodating lens patients need glasses anyway.
Please think carefully before ever having a multifocal.
londonbridge

[disappointed66]

Dear Jan

It is just my opinion, but if you get the monovision iols and you are not happy with them, then what?  The monofocal lens gives you more of a choice with glasses or contacts.I am no expert,at all, but I learned a lot from this forum and what I have been through.  I feel like the monofocal are my own eyes before the cataracts.It''s hard to explain.


Good luck with your decision.

disappointednomore

[jan796]

Thank you so much for your feed back and advise . The majority of the responses were negative regarding the multi focal lenses. so that really helps me with my decision.
I wonder if only those who are dissatisfied wrote back. Even though, if you feel that strongly about it. I don't think I want to risk it . I know some people that had the monofocal lenses that could also read. and they needed bifocal before. wonder why the difference

[JodieJ]

If you've been happy with monovision contacts, stick with a winner.  Get your cataract eye corrected to the same target that you've had with a contact lens, and continue wearing a contact in your other eye.  I don't believe that you'll ever regret the decision to take a pass on the multifocals.