Distance and Close-up IOL lenses

I have always been extremely nearsighted and also have some astigmatism. I also have Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, but it is still at an early stage, even though I've been diagnosed with corneal dystrophy since 1994. Add cataracts to the mix, and my vision has gotten steadily worse over the years. I could see how to drive, was able to see road signs, but could not read street signs until I was right at them.

Last Monday I had cataract surgery on my left eye and had a distance IOL lens implanted. The next day, my other eye tested at 20/50, corrected, and my left eye tested at 20/30. I am seeing better out of that eye than I've ever been able to before. I am actually able to see how to drive now with no correction for that eye. I still can't read road signs, but assume that I will be able to when I get my other eye done and can get new glasses.

I have been wondering if, with two distance lenses, I will lose the ability to see how to do some things that have to be done without glasses, such as putting in eye drops or using an eyebrow pencil or even squinting to see really fine print. Therefore, I asked the doctor who is doing my followup about getting a close-up IOL in the other eye.

He seems to be dead set against it, except for those who have worn contacts like that for at least a couple of years.

I would like to hear from the doctor the pros and cons for having one distance and one close-up IOL. Of course I want to have the very best vision that I can get. I know that I'll always have to wear glasses and would probably be lost without them. Would the brain be able to take the two images from the two eyes and blend them into one clear image?

grannysue

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Please read the many posts we've had in the two eye forums about "mono-vision" and "mini-monovision". If you've never done monovision before with contacts its very hard to adjust to for most people.  Use the search, archives and health topics to retrieve.

JCH III MD