Prognosis after Restor implant

[Blindin1eye]

I am feeling SO stupid. My eye Dr for over 15 years tells me, out
of the blue, "You need a Restore lens implant". Sounded good, so
I TRUSTED his judgement and it happened. Now, 6 months post-op,
the vision in this eye is "worse than 20/200", there is no near
or far to it. I can see colors. There is no pain or other problems. I recently had meds injected into the eyeball to "re-
shape" the retina...with no apparent effect. Should I have been
happy to have 20/60 instead of thinking I could get better?
Was I just stupid to allow a surgeon to cut without a second oppinion?

[Frued]

A related discussion, Restor implants was started.

[Eagle eyes]

The big advantage for ReSTOR is suppose to be strong, great near vision. If you are having trouble reading and your Dr says you are unstable, ask him why? It is astigmatism, macular edema, corneal edema, iritis? Most likely it is nothing serious, but find out. Also find out what size your pupil is......that may have something to do with it as well. Different fix depending upon the problem. In general, with all patients for normal healing process, after the 2nd eye is done and the 2 eyes are balanced, they do better...

[pathayboy]

I HAD A RESTOR LENS PUT IN MY LEFT EYE 01/10/2006.  MY VISION FOR DISTANCE HAS IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY.  HOWEVER, UPCLOSE HAS DECLINED.  BEFORE SURGERY I COULD READ WITHOUT GLASSES. NOW I HAVE TO CLOSE MY LEFT EYE TO READ OR GET A MAGNIFYING GLASS FOR SMALL PRINT AND NUMBERS. MY DOCTOR SAYS MY VISION IS UNSTABLE IN MY LEFT EYE AND WILL NOT PROCEED TO MY RIGHT EYE UNTIL THE LEFT ONE HAS SETTLED DOWN.  I BELEIVE AFTER MY RIGHT EYE IS DONE I WILL BE BETTER OFF. IT'S ANNOYING HAVING DIFFERENT VISION IN EACH EYE.  I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, OR MAYBE THE POWER IS INCORRECT OR WHAT IS YOUR OPINION.

[SorryNow]

Reply to eyecu 2/11/2006:
I had my surgery on Dec 16, 2005. When I read your mention of flaxseed helping I remembered having read that before. I will try some. An evaluation by an outside ophthalmologists is on my short list. I need glasses for reading and am praying the haziness will dissipate over time.Haziness is most noticeable at distance. Right now I am using no glasses for close work. This is bothersome at times because of interference from the left not seeing well up close, so I do need glasses. At close distance vision is not hazy. It is more like a moveable transparent curtain that has creases and wherever there is a crease it is like a spiderweb obstructing the view.

[eyecu]

I am not sure what an Eye Restoration Chart is but the Crystalens works supposedly on movement of the ciliary muscles. It is hinged and moves back and forth to give you pseudo-accomodation. The chart must be a tool used to work the muscles. Floaters are usually in the vitreous or gelly part of the eye which are from the small blood vessels that could have leaked in the past. Did you have them before surgery? There are many things to treat dry eye from punctum plugs, to drops and gels and Restasis as well as flaxseed and other pills. I am not sure that you will have the near vision you want since the Crystalens is more distance and intermediate oriented. They should give you the time to answer your questions, you paid for it. If not, go to someone else for a second opinion and see what they can recommend. You are also about 2-3 months out and their could still be some room for improvement or an exchange.

[Jenta]

Greetings,

I had crystalens done in both eyes in November and December of 2005.  (I'm 59 and had cataracts.)  My left eye (supposedly set up for distance and intermediate) is functioning well.  My right eye (for close up) is not functioning as well.

I already had very dry eyes before this surgery, my doctor was well aware of this.  Now this seems worse.  The right eye has developed large floaters which keep it bleary and cloudy alot of the time.  I can see about half the time up close, depending on the size of the type.  I was able to see close up with no glasses before the surgery, but could not see at distances, so I guess it's been somewhat successful.  I was given an "Eye Restoration Chart" to practice with.  This is supposed to help the eye learn to accomodate again.

I wish doctors would take the time to explain possible complications from eye surgery (such as floaters).  I know many do, but mine sure didn't.  I've seen my surgeon for maybe a total of 1/2 hour for consultation, surgery, and YAG for a secondary cataract in my right eye.  And his associate maybe 1/4 of an hour.  The most they did was sit me down in front of a video for any explanations.  I really think some things would be easier to deal with if you were aware of their possibility beforehand.

Do you think the vision restoration charts really work?  I know that there's little I can do for the floaters other than to pray they sort themselves out soon.  But I'm hoping that all the expense I went to with these lenses will be worth it in the end.

[eyecu]

sorry now-Interesting post. Dry eye can affect vision. Artificial tears and flaxseed can help with that. You still have to find out what your final refraction is as well whether it is a little plus or not. Also, how far out are you post-op and is the haziness for distance or all points. It sounds like you already had a YAG laser in the eye for PCO. What about your second eye? You could still have options for improvement.

[SorryNow]

I decided to get an IOL implant because of presbyiopia, having to find my glasses to read or see well close. I was convinced by newspaper advertisements that this would be worth the risk. My handle is a reflection of my disappointment with the results. I got a Restor lens in my right eye and had no trouble deciding not to do this for the left eye. Part of this is because my vision is/was pretty good (about 20/30 distance, close vision completely correctable). IMO now, the reasons I acted (which was really to get back the vision of my youth) are not worth the risk until the vision decline is considerably worse. Here are my results which are certainly better than others I have seen in this forum: 1) About half the time there is haziness like when you have sleep in your eyes. My surgeon told my this may be due to something he called dry tears. 2) At the beginning I had more cloudiness which subsided a fair amount when I received YAG with "27 zaps". 3) When my vision is clear I can see 20/25 distance. 4) I can see to read newspaper print but light has to be just right and I have to move the paper to position it as I read. So, be careful of the reasons you do this and understand and discuss your expectations.

[Forum-OD-MP]

something went wrong.  its not the restor lens that is causing you problems.  you need to find out what is wrong with your eye...did he tell you why he was injecting "medicine"?  i'm sure he did.  i suspect macular edema or cystoid macular edema:
http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/oct02_sec5_1.htm