How can I find the best doctor for Cataract surgery?

[Dick74]

I have just been told that I need cataract surgery for both eyes.  My doctor wanted to wait for surgery until both qualified for Medicare, and I agree with that.  However, he told me that I was the first person that he had seen for whom he would recommend Restor IOL's.  Although he has done hundreds if not thousands of cataract surgeries,I would be his first to have a Restor implant.  That made me a bit nervous.

I then researched the Restor lens and found lots of references to the Rezoom lens and the ReZoom actually sounds better for me since I do a lot of computer work and I am still very active.  I also love to read, but would not mind wearing reading glasses.  I then called my doctor, but found that he did not use the Rezoom lens. I really think it would be to my advantage to consult with a surgeon who does both and could, after examining my eyes, make appropriate recommendations.

I live in the Lansing, MI area and have found a list of surgeons who do both in Lansing and in Grand Rapids.  However, I know nothing about any of them, so I would appreciate any advice you can give me that would help me determine who, among the many, would be the better choices.

Thank  you very much.

[Forum-OD-MP]

competing (and comparable IMO) brands/styles of multifocal implant.  many, many posters here have had one or the other.  hopefully they'll post here.

IMO they are comparable.

[aimee37]

This forum contains a wealth of information about both ReStor and ReZoom, both in recent threads and in the archives.  It would certainly be worth your time to read them.  Becoming more knowledgeable before surgery will help you to make a better decision about your future vision.

IMO, you should seek out a surgeon who is very experienced with multifocals.  You'll probably want to consult at least three doctors.  I'd eliminate anyone who didn't also specialize in refractive surgery (i.e., laser vision correction).  Ask how many multifocals they have implanted.  What are their recommendations for you?  Other eye care professionals (optometrists and ophthalmologists) in the community are often savvy about who's good and who isn't.

Best of luck!

[aimee37]

****, as Jodie said above, I suggest you click on "browse archives" on the main page of this forum and spend some time reading the threads under the cataract category for at least the past year. Many people have posted about their experiences with both monofocal and multifocal IOLs. A caveat is that those who post here are those who have had felt a need to post, generally meaning that they have had issues of some sort.

As for finding a doctor, Castle Connolly (http://castleconnolly.com/doctors/index.cfm?source=ccm) has been mentioned as a service that provides information on the best doctors in various areas although it does require a small fee. Referrals from satisfied patients are also a source.  Speaking from my own experience, I would choose a doctor who does accurate power measurements and who has an IOL Master.

Another option to a multifocal is a monofocal targeted to a slight degree of nearsightedness.  I have a monofocal implant in one eye that has settled on a -0.5 diopter correction.  I have decent, although not perfect, near, intermediate, and distance vision; I do need readers for newsprint and sometimes use glasses for night driving.

[aimee37]

http://www.revoptom.com/index.asp?ArticleType=SiteSpec&page=osc/105344/lesson.htm

[aimee37]

http://www.revoptom.com/index.asp?ArticleType=SiteSpec&page=osc/105273/lesson.htm

[aimee37]

Thank you very much for the information sent.  I checked the Connolly site and have read the two articles posted by Forum OD_RMP.  As a result, I located doctors in Grand Rapids, Michigan who implant both ReZoom and Restor lenses as well as monofocals.  I have an appointment Tuesday with them and hope to get a broader perspective than what I have received thus far from my doctor who only uses Restor.

I am also considering two monofocals (one near and one distant) for at least two reasons. I have always been bothered by my trifocals when trying to catch something thrown to me from a short distance with a trajectory that quickly passes through the three focal ranges. If my thinking is correct, monofocals would avoid this.  However, I also wonder about the effect on depth perception with two monofocals designed for different distances. I would also like to be able to lean back in my lazyboy and watch TV in the evening.  As I understand it, the multifocals would behave much like my present tri-focal glasses and I would be looking through the lower part of the lens which is designed for near objects.  

If anyone can advise on these issues, I would greatly appreciate it.

Dick74

[aimee37]

****:

"monovision" (2 monofocal iols, one for distance and one for near) traditionally gives poor depth perception.  theoretically a multifocal would perform better when "catching" things.

also...if you are talking about reclining and watching tv with multifocal iol implants...NO it is UNLIKE your trifocals.  there is no "bottom" or "top" of a multifocal iol.  in your trifocal glasses the top is distance and the bottom is near...NOT SO in your multifocal iols.  you should be able to recline and watch tv  fine.

[aimee37]

Thank you very much for this clarification.  I feel much better about the multifocal IOL now.  Somehow, after looking at the "rings" in the sample Restor lens, I got the impression that the rings were much like my tri-focal glasses. From your posting, it seems obvious that the multifocal will be better for "catching" and will also allow me to recline and watch TV.  What more could I ask.  Thanks again.

Dick74

[aimee37]

****,  I have both, REZOOM in right dominant eye, RESTOR in left non-dominant eye.  Excellent vision at all depths.  Some ghosting, slowly disappearing 6 mo. out.  No need for glasses.  Look into combination.  Colors equal out to normal tones.. clarity.  Must wear sunglasses.. things are bright.  GREAT intermediate vision lacking in the RESTOR.