Focal Range of Monofocal IOLs

[laura5121]

Dr. Ray:
Can you please advise what the focal range is of monofocal IOLs - say from reading a book at
about 14" away to how many feet in front of you can you see clearly without using glasses.?

Thank you very much for your explicit responses.

Laura5121

[londonbridge]

Thank you. I too found much valuable information given by caring individuals on this website. As a matter of fact I doubt I could have gotten through my ordeal of having my Restor explanted (or even known what was possible to do) and then selecting the proper monofocal lens and feeling comfortable with my choice of hospital for the surgery, if it weren't for the doctors, particularly Dr. Hagan and folks like JodieJ. This website is truly wonderful.

[laura5121]

Thank you londonbridge for your input.  It was very helpful.
Laura5121

[laura5121]

Thank you Fred for your input.  The replies that are given
on this website are truly given in a spirit of sharing.  It's
very much appreciated.
Laura5121

[londonbridge]

I had a multifocal (Restor) lens explanted and replaced with a monofocal set for intermediate. I am not sure what the power came out exactly( I go for a one month recheck soon and will inquire then) but I can focus most clearly on things about 14" to 3' away. My other eye still has a natural lens and since it is my dominant eye, I wear a monofocal contact set for distance. I can do most things without glasses but plan to get a prescription for transition lenses to sharpen distance and for reading when I need to. The important thing I noticed is the quality of the vision itself is much much better and more natural than with the multifocal. I had double vision, ghosting, halos, glare, lack of contrast sensitivity and most of all I simply could not focus well at any distance. I agree with the last posting. Many people are sold on multifocals before they really consider what they are buying and how they will perform for them.

[FredZq]

Perhaps this will help...I had what the Doc referred to as mini-monovision. That is... one eye set for close and the other for intermediate. Its not an exzact science and they can not guarantee that the focal distance will turn out to be exactly so many inches. In my case the corrections are -2.50 and -2.25. The -2.50 focuses at about 11 inches from the tip of my nose. Fine for closeup reading. The other was intended to be for intermediate, say computer screen distance. Its a bit nearsighted for that, so I guess we missed the correction by a little bit.

The answer to your question specifically is no. Monofocal means in focus at one distance, and anything not at that distance will be out of focus. Does that mean you can't see things a few feet away? No; you can see them , but they will not be in sharp focus. The further from the focal length; the less sharp or more blurry the object will appear. I'm sitting at the computer now with my specs off. I'm sitting closer than I would if I had my "no-line multifocals specs on. The old GE digital clock radio about six feet away is quite blurry. I don't have to wear specs around the house or in the kitchen or bathroom. I can even work under the hood of the car w/o specs, but if I have to see them something absolutely clearly, then I have move close to it or put on the specs.

THe multifocal IOLs seem to work for some people, but I rejected that possibility when I read about the great trrouble many people have with night driving with these things.

So, seems to me that being able to do without glasses completely after cataract surgery is just a fantasy. Lots of people are being sold on this. Pay your money; take your chances. Good Luck.

[laura5121]

Thank you very much for your reply.
Please tell me if I am interpreting your response correctly - if the mono IOL
is set for 14" for reading with an extended focus range of plus or minus 5"
(meaning 9" to 19") then what distance in feet will one see general objects
(not alpha/numeric) unblurred.  Example: If one is an artist sitting at a desk
delineating art work with a mono IOL of 14", will they be able to clearly
delineate objects unblurred within an average studio room without
glasses?
Thank you again.
Laura5121

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Laura,

It all depends on the implant power which will determine your final refraction.  If the doctor leaves you about -3.50 or so  you would be able to read very close such at 14inches but would have a limited depth of field closer and farther out.  Fortunately the second eye might not be exactly the same refraction and might add some depth of field.  I often use monovision or mini-monovision with cataract surgery, sometimes one eye at -3.00 for near and the other at -1.50 for computer OR one eye at -1.50 for light reading/computer and the other at plano for distance.  So I'm still trying to figure out what you really want to know.  If a monofocal lens is focused at 14 inches, then since it is monofocal, it will not have much in or out depth of field, perhaps 4 or 5 inches, but the second eye often helps quite a bit.

MJK MD