Multifocal lens - ReSTOR

Hi there,

My father recently had a multi-focal lens implant (ReSTOR) in his left eye.  It's been approximately 3 weeks and he has ghosting (or at least I think it's ghosting) - he cannot see crisply at near or far distances.  Past a certain distance, everything is very blurry.

My question is whether this blurriness will likely get much better in the  next two months.  His doctor is saying that a certain amount of blurriness/ghosting is inevitable with a multi-focal lens - is this accurate?

Also, I've read a lot about the tradeoffs between monofocal and multifocal lenses.  Is it generally true that a monofocal lens typically requires a corrective lens (glasses) in order to see 20/20 again, but that such restoration to 20/20 vision is much more possible when using a monofocal lens than a multifocal lens?

We're basically just very worried that this blurriness/ghosting will never completely go away.  He's relying very heavily on his right eye to see properly at this moment.

Thank you so much for any help here.

Regards,
JOW

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The monofocal implant has perhaps an even greater chance of achievingexcellent uncorrected distance vision than a multifocal.  The only drawback to the monofocal is that if the patient has good distance vision with the implant, he will need to wear reading glasses for up close.  The drawback to multifocals is the the light rays are divided up, some for far and some for near and there can be a slight loss of clarity especially at distance and there can be glare and halos.  There will be some neuro-adaptation as the brain gets used to the new signal.  If you look at the specs of the restor implant you can see how the light rays are divided up using diffractive technology.  There is definitely a trade off - you get some glasses independance but overall superb quality of vison may be less.  So in the end -he might get somewhat better with time - but might not.

MJK MD

[Sharman]

The Restor lens implants in July 2008 have robbed me of intermediate and reading ability. I can no longer drive at night due to the huge halos and glares from oncoming cars. I wish I could have my olds lens backs with the cataracts. At the age of 58, I made a huge, huge mistake having the Restor lens put into my eyes.

[Lerbea]

I still have ghosting and blurred. The surgery was done in June.  From what I've read of other postings  no one elses improved either.