Restor Lens Problems

[MiserableinNj]

I had cataracts removed 9 weeks ago right eye, 7 weeks ago left eye.  I had the Restor lens put in both eyes.  I have had nothing but problems and curious if anyone else has had similar problems. My first problem was light sensitivity. I had to wear my sunglasses inside for almost 8 weeks (my husband refers to our house as the Bat Cave).  Fluorescent lighting is the worst and thats whats in my office. I had to work with the lights off for the first 8 weeks, I can turn them on now but the light still bothers me. I have dry eyes and it has gotten worse since surgery, the doctor put plugs in my tearducts but I'm constantly putting artificial tears in, which blurs my vision. Then my eyesight kept getting blurry with double vision. The doctor said I have Blepharitis and gave me Azisite. That seems to help but I have to use it every day along with warm compresses and a cleansing routine or the blurry vision gets worse.  She now wants to perform laser surgery on me for a slight astigmatism I have. She says this will help, they gave me glasses to try on with the way it should look after surgery. I can see clearer but still double vision and she doesn't know if that will go away.
I went to another doctor for a second opinion and he said don't do the surgery if there is a chance I'm going to extract the lens and put in a monofocal lens. Now I don't know what to do. I'm scared to have these lens' extracted and would like to try and keep them in. We won't even get into the issue of the so called "halos" around headlights. They are such HUGE spider webs that I can not drive at night any more. Has anyone had any or all of my problems? Has it gotten better with time? Has anyone had the laser surgery for astigmastism after implants? Any help would be appreciated, my quality of life is 0 these days.

[Starlight_nEye]

Thank you, Dr Hagan. At this time, my vision is not correctable with glasses due to significant differences in unoperated LE and operated RE. I'm wearing a contact lens in LE to achieve vision balance, which gives a version of mini-monovision. I had intended to have non-dominant LE corrected in this manner but have canceled LE surgery as I really couldn't tolerate both eyes flashing at me!

I tend to be a perfectionist and problem-solver type, plus had read IOL exchanges should be attempted as early as possible, so have been seeking a resolution but your more conservative approach might be best. If only I could know whether there will be any improvement, even it takes months.

Another question: since IOL is loose in the capsule, if PCO developed, requiring YAG treatment, could this change IOL position and my vision? Could IOL slip out of the capsule?

[JohnHaganMD]

First of all your IOL power is fine for distance (20 feet or more) and should give you 20/20 distance vision (if no residual cylinder)  plus/minus 0.50 is well within the accepted range of IOL power done pre-operatively.  The symptoms you describe (IOL dyphotopsia) normally get better over time (weeks to months). The IOL you have is a high quality and not associated with increased rates of dyphotopsia (such as the ReStor and ReZoom)    If IOL is in good position and no other problems and distance vision is good (and near vision with reading lens). Would really think twice before exchanging IOL.  Tinted prescription glasses with anti-reflective coating also helps in some cases.  JCH MD

[Starlight_nEye]

I had cataract surgery 7 weeks ago. AcrySof mono focal lens implanted in dominant right eye. Was myopic, -3.25. ORA system used to try to ensure best refractive target (Plano); however, result was slightly hyperoptic (!) (+.25) and light flickering, like bad fluorescent lighting, has plagued me since bandage removed first day postop. Have seen another ophthalmologist and a retina specialist. Ophthalmologist has seen iris "fluttering" and lens "jiggle" in the capsulary bag. BTW, I have dark brown eyes. Focusing on one fixed spot when reading does stop the flickering but flickering also occurs from bright overhead lighting such as at work (lens edge reflection?). I can't imagine living 25 years or so with this constant flickering and want to consider a lens exchange but Dr is concerned whether another lens will fill the capsular bag and/or support the iris any better. Canceled left eye surgery until RE is resolved.  I've been following topics and posts, hoping to learn more and maybe find a solution to these problems. Would appreciate comments/advice. Thx

[JohnHaganMD]

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[JohnHaganMD]

AMEN:  everyone that thinks that forking out the extra bucks for a "premium" lens is guaranteed to be happy and glasses free please read the above.

JCH MD

[SCUcolumbia]

If this is the case then doctors should discuss and stress all the side effects that are possible!  

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

You read a informed consent form that lists all the complications including blindness and you sign it so you accept the risks. Before you get on a commercial airliner do you think the captain of the airliner should tell you at the door the plane may crash and you may die?  I have written her many time the things that people need to determine on their own before they make choices in cataract surgery. This is a link to it been up for several years and updated:   http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/1648102/Consider-ALL-the-Options-Before-Your-Cataract-Surgery-Working-Through-Whats-Best-For-You

[JohnHaganMD]

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