Lens replacement for cataracts

For short sighted people, is it better to opt for the long distance intraoptical lens, or the short distance ones?  If I opt for short distance lenses, what is the range of clear vision I can expect to have after surgery?  My current glasses are -4 (left) -4.25 (right).

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

We have quite a bit of discussion on this subject which you can find looking at the archieves and by using the searach feature.

Some of our readers would aim for 'zero" refractive erro (no need for glasses for anything over 20 feet away. And glasses in the form of no line bifocals for everything closer than 20 feet.

Some would choose -2.75 in each eye at near so they could read without glasses and would use no line bifocals for anything farther than 2 feet away.

Some would chose monovision (be careful about this if you've never worn contacts that used monovision before. I do not like to put monovision in the eyes of someone that's never adapted to it before surgery.

Finally many people would chose one eye for reading (about -2.50) the other for computer and shop and shaving or putting on make up with out glasses (-1.00) and using no line bifocals for anything forther away than 3-4 feet.

'Different strokes for different folks" (one size not fit all).

JCH III MD