How do I know if I can wait?

I went to an opthalmologist, about a year after I found out I had the beginning of cataracts. A quick visit, and he said that I wouldn't need glasses after my surgery,and might as well have it now to enjoy great vision.  I postponed the surgery as I was going out of the country for 6 months and I could see fine. Upon my return, he said that the multi-focus wasn't for me as I was too specific, or a perfectionist and I'm used to enjoying sharp vision, and that I would end up wearing readers.  He wouldn't engage me in further conversation, he said "Toric in one eye to correct for astigmatism, and a standard in the other.  I had asked for a refraction before I saw him, he didn't discuss those results with me. The vision in my right eye had changed (the worst cataract) but what I don't understand is that without my existing R. lens, I see better than with my  glasses. My vision intermediate and distance in that eye seems much better without my glasses. If what the Tec told me (that my vision is worse) and that they could bump up the power in the right lens....why am I seeing clearer with no correction at all?
So, I don't know if I can wait, or how bad the cataracts really are. My distraction are halo's and night driving.
Is that enough to go through with the surgery. I'm all ready to go in 10 days. Should I just do it sooner than later.
The Dr. and Tec's say...why wait, they'll just get worse. There is some risk, and I hear that floaters can appear.
I suppose I could get another opinion, but then who do you believe. This is suppose to be a top notch SURGEON.

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

Many excellent cataract surgeons nevertheless "push" for surgery and have offices and staff that are geared to "upgrade" patients to more expensive "premium IOLS'  multifocal, accommodating and toric.

Get a second opinion. If necessary a third. Go with the surgeon you feel the most comfortable with.

JCH MD

[Jayd1942]

Thank you Dr. Hagan. I didn't realize that a Toric was a premium lens as well. I know that it will correct my astigmatism and thought I was paying just for that correction. Do the two work well together typically?
My new prescription is the following...does this seem like bad enough vision to you? If you think I can wait, I'll just get new glasses, cancel my surgery and get another opinion.
My fear is waiting too long and having my cataracts harden where it makes it more difficult.
Spherical
R +50
L+1.00
(NV) R +2.75  L+275
Cylindrical
R +0,75 L +0.50
Axis
R 170  L 161
Also, please forgive another (almost identical) email this morning. I'm awkward at finding my way on my computer. Thanks for your kind response.

[JodieJ]

I responded to your other post, but I didn't realize that you already have cataract surgery scheduled.  And your surgeon apparently did not bother explaining your options for correcting your vision to you.  This is not good at all!  I'm guessing that he's planning to correct both your eyes for distance vision, which might not be what you'd prefer.

I'm not an eye care professional, but I've learned a lot from researching my own vision problems.  No one can tell you whether to postpone cataract surgery based on your prescription for glasses.  The timing of cataract surgery depends on the extent to which your cataracts are impairing your ability to function.  For example, if driving at night is important to you, then an inability to do this might significantly impair your lifestyle.

A toric IOL is a premium lens to correct astigmatism.  It is not a multifocal lens.  You don't seem to have much astigmatism in either of your eyes, so implanting a toric lens might be controversial in your case.  Dr. Hagan has described how your astigmatism might be eliminated by the placement of the surgical incision (thereby, eliminating your out-of-pocket payment for a premium lens.)

In brief, correcting both of your eyes for distance vision would leave you dependent on glasses for all intermediate and near vision tasks.  By contrast, correcting your dominant eye for distance vision and your nondominant eye for intermediate vision (i.e., mini-monovision) would give you a whole lot more freedom from glasses.  You'd probably be able to use your computer, style your hair, and read some restaurant menus without glasses.  However, with mini-monovision your uncorrected distance vision would be slightly (but probably not noticeably) less crisp.  There's a lot of information about this topic in the archives of this website.

If you do decide to proceed with your surgery at this time, I suggest that you first schedule an appointment with your surgeon to discuss your options for correcting your vision.  If he refuses, I'd recommend consulting a different surgeon.

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

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[Jayd1942]

Thanks so much for your detailed response. I've decided to get new lenses for my glasses, postpone the surgery. I have an appointment for a 2nd opinion. Hate to drag this out, but the more one reads the more apprehensive one can get with all the choices. At least I'm getting more facts and I thank you for taking your time for council.
Thanks to Dr. Hagan as well for all the help.