Life after REStor IOL lens questionable

[jojo21150]

I recently had cataract surgery in my left eye.  I didn't even know I had a cataract until I went for a regular eye exam and had difficulty reading with my left eye.  I went to my optholmologist and he did another eye exam and said that there was a cataract in the left eye which was not there or not noticed just 4 months priior to my being in his office for my yearly glaucoma check.  He led me to believe that anytime would be a good time to have the surgery, although I had no idea I was having vision problems.  I need glasses for reading, but nothing else. As far as I was concerned, I could see fine.  After having the surgery and having the Restor IOL lense put in, I am not sure I see any better and actually, I know my sight is now different.  Very bright lights seem to bother me and dull lighting is rather annoying as well.  I have been told that everything is healing well, and looks fine.  It has only been 2 weeks since the surgery and I am using my drops and still wearing my sheild at nite.  I know I have done everything right, but still do not feel comfortable with my new eye.  Also, sometimes I feel I need my reading glasses to read and other times, I can usually make out what I need to read without them.  Does it take a while to get used to this new vision?  I have not tried driving at nite yet, and wonder if I will be plagued with glares and halos.  I do not know what to do.  Please advise.  

[cdn_glenn]

After having my surgery three years ago in some ways my vision immediately improved (distance), but in others it took months to adjust (near and night).  Multifocal lenses do take a long while to adjust to.  I wore reading glasses for about six months.  After that they were in the way.  Night vision improved.  But times along the way I thought I'd made a big mistake.  Instant satisfaction with multifocal IOLs is rare.

If you are seeing well for distance please give it a little more time for reading.  Night vision seems to be an issue with ReSTOR.  You will find many posts describing this.  Hold-off from YAG if possible and allow your eye to adapt to the new IOL.

After two weeks you are still healing from surgery.  Be patient until your one month appointment and hopefully all will improve.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I recommend you use the search feature on this site and use key word RESTOR. I think hearing from others like yourself may be very educational.  Often, the symptoms you note can improve over time as you adapt to the new lens.  Sometimes they side effects are permanant.  Unfortunately there is not much you can do.  It is mainly up to your surgeon to help you through this sitaution.  Sometimes, a yag capsulotomy or correction of residual astigmatism or refractive error or dry eye problems can be helpful.  In rare circumstances, the lenses can be explanted for miserable patients and replaced with a monofocal implant.

MJK MD

[disappointed66]

I had the Restor lens put in my left eye 1 month ago.  I am totaly unhappy with it. I can't read. I can't really see well at any distance I just don't feel I need to reach for my glasses as soon as I get out of bed and I can walk from room to room seeing okay.  Now they are suggesting  laser surgery for the vision, but it will not clear up the night glare or maybe slightly. Light glare at night is awful I actually see bright sunbursts in car lights and streets lights.  I will not have Restor put in my right eye.
I have contacted an experienced surgeon and he hopefully is going to remove the Restor and exchange for a mono I will never complain about wearing glasses again.

I hope you have better results as everyone is different. Good Luck

from disappointed66

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear jojo21150,

I would recommend that you give yourself time to adjust to the visual changes after cataract surgery.   It normally takes between 1 to 3 months to adjust to the vision after an implant. Both healing and an adjustment to the vision is required.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California