I've had a Crystalens HD and a Restor lens. The Restor lens worked out well in my left eye. The Crystalens shifted myopic and I had it removed and replaced with another Restor. The Restor lens in my right eye has taken almost 4 months to adapt. It is not for everyone, but you have to be paitent and let the brain adapt to the two images (near and far) that the lens makes and sorts them out.
My distance vision continues to sharpen and I have no problems driving at night. I can see the computer and read books in bright light (office) without glasses. Difficulty reading a book or a menu in dim light.....need readers.
I've had a Restor lens for a little over 3 weeks and have blurry distance vision. I wake up in the morning and it's fine; then it becomes blurry for the rest of the day. From what my doctor says, I'm a "bizarre" case. The jury is still out for me since I do like being able to see close up; without them I wouldn't be able to even see price tags. I still wear reading glasses a lot in less than ideal lighting situations. I see halos (big concentric circles) around car and street lights at night. Not sure how that will affect my driving at night since I only went out once and very locally. If you do a lot of night driving, that might be a problem.
At this point, if it doesn't improve soon, I'm considering having them removed and have a regular lens put in. There are worse things than having to wear glasses to read all the time. However, there are probably people who are happy with them. In these forums, you'll hear from people who are unhappy. The happy ones normally don't have to come on here searching for answers. You are wise to do your homework. I trusted my doctor whom I still have faith in, though sometimes I wonder how much the economics plays into their recommendation.
I totally agree with Lerbea. I had the Restor multifocal lens implanted in July. Mine too was horrible. I thought I woud have a nervous breakdown. Couldn't see at any distance and absolutely could not drive at night. The glare was untolerable. Had it explanted and exchanged for a monfocal in August.. The monofocal is excellent. I want to see crisp and clear and if it means wearing glasses some of the time, that is fine with me. I will never complain.
The multifocal lenses are not all that great as they make them out to be. Research carefully. Stay away from Restor! I can't speak for the other brands, and I do not know anything about having them in only one eye, but from what I have read they are troublesome too. Good luck
Beware of the Multifocal. Mine were simply horrible and I've had them removed. I was almost totally blind with the multifocal. But some people "love" them. I'd take keeping the cataracts over the new multifocals.
Use the search function.
Dr. O.