Optic Nerve Damage and Restor IOL

[fatnaf]

I had cataract surgery on one eye in February and of course, the surgeon talked me into paying the additional 2,100 not covered by my health insurance for a Restor Lens.  Post surgery, my vision in left eye is much worse than it was when I had the cataract and wore multifocal contacts.  To make a very long story short, it turns out that the visual field tests showed some existing optic nerve damage in left eye. I could see so much better with that eye before the implant that I find it hard to believe that there enough damage to be causing my left eye vision to be this bad.  There is what I would describe as a very light cloud which is directly in center of my line of sight.  Everything around the periphery is clear.  My regular eye doctor mentioned that it might be possible that the Restor lens is interfering with my vision in some way, and that a monofocal lens might be better. Fortunately, he was able to fit me with a monovision contact in right eye, so I can see fairly well as long as my right eye hold up.   I'm  planning to make appointment for a 'second opinion' from different surgeons, but thought someone on this forum might have ideas on this problem, and if an explant of the Restor would help.

[fatnaf]

Thanks for replying - I don't know if I had retro bulbar block, but I AM on drops for Glaucoma.  I was on drops for glaucoma prior to the surgery.  I'm going back for a checkup next week and will find out about the block.  I don't blame the surgeon for this problem, but I do wonder about his ethics. If a known complication, how is it rectified?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Did you have a retro-bulbar block for numb the eye?  If so this or elevated intraocular pressure can cause this type of problem.

A second opinion is warranted.  However, this is a know complication of a retro-bulbar block and is not the fault of the surgeon.

Dr, O.