Question about Scleral buckle, cataract surgery, and contact lenses?

I have recently had a Membrane Peel with a Vitrectomy.  My doctor gave me a steriod shot in the eye to help the healing process instead of a gas bubble.  Whent the steriod starting clearing I had the "black curtain" and apparently had a retinal tear.  So, I had to have emergency surgery and the doctor put in a scleral buckle and silicone oil to help the retina stay in place.  Before I had the surgery to remove the oil, <90 days, I had a full blown cataract.  Which the doctor warned me about but he said it would probably take 6 mos to a year before I needed it.  Now I am having cataract surgery next week?  A different opthamologist is performing this surgery and he is recommending a mono lens instead of a multi-focal IOL.  I asked him if I would be able to wear a contact lense to get the rest of the my vision and he told me no.  Why would wearing a contact in this situation not be an option?  Is it because of the scleral buckle, the retinal vision loss I now have, or that the up close vision cant be corrected enough with just contacts?  How will this work with my left eye that I am very near-sighted with and have been near-sighted with both my eyes all my life?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Edna51,

It is difficult to comment on why a doctor stated that you will not be able to wear a contact lens.  I would recommend that you ask your eyeMD further questions. One of the unknown issues is what type of vision will return following the retinal procedures that you have had.

Dr. Feldman

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