Doctor never discussed Lenses

[DeeDee277]

I am scheduled for Cataract surgeriy in a few days.  It dawned on me that the doctor had never discussed with me  anything about the type of lens he would be implanting.  A week or so ago, when I asked his assistant about the Custom Cataract Surgery advertised on their website, she said it was mostly for people with astigmatism and that the lenses were very expensive and she dropped the subject.  I started doing research on this subject and now realize  there are a lot of options out there for everyone needing lens implants.   I feel that whether I would have decided on the standard monofocal or the multifocals, the doctor should have at least presented and discussed these options with me.  Now I feel like I'm trapped with the surgeries on both eyes scheduled and no time to discuss this with him further. I know he will be furious with me if I postpone my surgery.  However, I feel this is a huge decision which will have impact on the rest of my life and I should have been given the opportunity to be involved in the decision making. I would appreciate any opinion or input.

Thank you,

[eyesonyou]

DeeDee,
I've found that your experience is common.  I either spoke to, emailed, or heard first-hand reports about, 4 different people who had cataract surgery before I went for my own cataract extraction.

Guess how many of those 4 people actually knew what kind of IOL was in their eye?  Only one!  One said he didn't remember, but that he had adapted to monovision, one said she trusted her doctor to pick the correct IOL, and one is seeing well, so I guess he's happy and that is all that matters.

My cataract surgeon didn't discuss my IOL with me very much, but I had a macular pucker in that eye, which automatically narrowed my options for me  (kind of nice to have them narrowed by the retinal specialist, who had strong opinions of his own).

By all means, delay the surgery, and study the issue further.  If you just ask your neighbors, many of them who've been through this experience won't know enough to help you.  That is a good reason for this board!

[disappointed66]

from disappointed 66

Postpone the surgery!  I was not informed either.  I went ahead with surgery knowing nothing and it was not the right choice. I had to have a lens explanted and  replaced. Get all the information you need and want before you make a decision.    And if this surgeon gets furious with you, find another surgeon!

Also, my advice is to stay away from the multifocal lens..(especially Restor)

Good Luck.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It is ridiculous to think that the surgeon will be furious with you.  Remember that  you are the patient and he works for you!  You definitely should call the office and say exactly what you said on this site.  Then all your options can be explained in person.

MJK MD

[JodieJ]

I expect that your surgeon would have already calculated the IOL power he plans to implant.  I think that lenses in all powers are stocked at the surgery center.  You would not be liable for the cost of the lens if you cancel.

I assume that your surgeon is planning to implant a monofocal IOL set for distance vision.  His arrogance at not bothering to discuss your options and preferences overwhelms me.  

[DeeDee277]

Thank you so much for responding to my post.  Your answer was very helpful and enlightening.  Do you happen to know at what point, before the surgery, the surgeon would set  the IOLs since I only have two days to my first surgery and I wouldn't want to have to pay for the unwanted IOLs..

[JodieJ]

Cataract surgery is not an emergency.  In your place, I'd insist on an in-person consultation with the surgeon about my options before proceeding, and I'd have no reservations about cancelling the scheduled dates.  Keep in mind that getting good results from a premium IOL like the Crystalens generally requires lots of experience with this IOL, which your surgeon may lack.  If you do opt for monofocal IOLs, the way that they are set can make a huge difference in your post-surgery satisfaction.  There's a lot of excellent information on this website about mini-monovision, which is a great option for many people.  Please don't be bullied into accepting your surgeon's preference for your vision (probably distance vision in both eyes) if you'd rather have something else.  And if you have uncorrected astigmatism, it will blur your vision at all distances.