Dr.Hagan and Softwaredeveloper, Any other choices for me??

[Patsy3033]

Boy was I happy to see and read your post.   I think you will remember my earlier posts on having my cataracts removed. My name is Patsy3033. My last RX for distance was RT -12.00 -3.50 031  LT  -10.00 -0.25 120. You'll recall that I've worn single vision glasses all my life. Never used a bifocal instead just sliding my glasses down my nose to use the computer and taking them off to read. My Dr. is planning to implant plan Alcon plastic lens in each eye both set for -2.  He told me that he will not be giving me 20/20 vision when the surgery is done. I will be able to read, use the computer and see clearly for a distance of 10 to 12 feet. After surgery is done I will need glasses for distance.  

The other two doctors that I saw didn't even talk about other lenses only possibly changing the number in the implant. One said that he could leave me the way I am all distance and a bifocal for close up and computer  The other mentioned using a trifocal after surgery. Am I a difficult case????

The minute they find out I have Glaucoma it's like I get another black check.  I don't mind wearing glasses. I've worn them for 68 years.  The only problem that bothers me is that I can't see smaller print on can goods when I go grocery shopping anymore and of course I can't read a book because I have to take off my glasses and use one eye because my two eyes are not working together anymore but I don't read much anyway.

After surgery I would love to have my distance clear and be able to read and if possible not to wear such thick glasses.  Seems like a simple request until I read CramiumNY's post.

The doctor that would be doing my surgery is a Glaucoma Specialist he also removes cataracts but does not RX glasses. He has done his own calculations Don't know if he used a computer or not but he did show me his calculations on paper.  He's treated me for over 10 years. He would do the worst eye first and would not do the other eye until he was certain the first was healed probably 3 to 4 weeks.  He sent me to the Retina specialist and to a Cornea Specialist for their input. Terrified to move forward.

I can't imagine how I will function or even stand up with my eyes so off balance for almost a month.  I'm worried that my brain will not adapt to seeing so differently.  Whats best for me???
Dr. Hagan and Softwaredeveloper
Seeking your help. Thanks,
Patsy3033


    

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[chazas]

I can answer the "how will I adjust to being out of balance for a month" question. You just will. My eyes were completely out of balance for more than a year through several procedures, each of which changed things. Much of the time I had functional vision in only one eye. I was very anxious to get to the final result, but I managed. You will too.

[JohnHaganMD]

Your case will be much more complicated than normal, not only because you have glaucoma but because you have high myopia and expectations that will be hard to meet.

1. Your eye is so long that normal IOL formula loose their standard error range of plus/minus 0.25 to 0.50 diopter. You would do well to have several measurements to be sure they are in agreement. It is not possible to guarentee you each eye will be -2.00
2. Your RE has 3.5 diopters of astigmatism. you cannot get to -2.00 unless you have a toric IOL or corneal astigmatism surgery is done by incisions or laser.
3. The focal point of a -2.00 eye is about 20 inches. You will not see clearly 12 feet away from you.  A single vision -2.00 pair of glasses will be clear (assuming your surgery is without hitch and your eye is capable of seeing normally) at 20 feet but television at 10-15 feet will not be clear with or without your glasses.  Your clearest vision will be with progressive multifocal lens. I know that's not what you want but you are setting yourself up to be disappointed.
4. I suspect but do know know for sure that premium toric lens may not be available in the very low power your eye will need.
5. Putting up with the imbalance usually is not that difficult even if you have to wear an occluder over your glasses. many people find the operative eye is clearer than the unoperated eye after a few days.