Restor lens implants - double vision

[AL_Z3]

Had restor lens implanted in both eyes over a year ago.  Visual acuity is now pretty good, but I now have double vision.  The dv varies from almost zero to seeing 2 stop signs 15 -20 feet apart a block away.  Problem usually occurs after doing close work, as reading a book or at a computer terminal.  Double vision specialist with same clinic as my surgeon says the problem is weak eye muscles. I think this is a cover-up, as I never had double vision before. He says I can get glasses with prisms. The whole idea of the restor lenses was to eliminate glasses, & besides the double vision varies so much I don't see how prisms could work.  Does the restor lens have a history of causing double vision? Could the double vision be a result of mis-alignment of the lens?  Where can I find an independant doctor to evaluate the problem?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

The restor IOL has a great track record. The idea of needing glasses for extended reading is plausable and should be tried. Remember 80% of "happy" multifocal IOL patients wear glasses for something (night driving, shopping, computers, extended reading etc).

If the IOL was misaligned you should have double vision all the time.

You can find a eye muscle specialist at www.aao.org    

JCH III MD

[AL_Z3]

Thanks for the response!  First, I'd have no problem at all wearing glasses to read, but I've tried that but my vision is still double when looking at a distance.  Second, I see ok to read; the double vision is really only a problem when looking at distant objects.  Third, I do see double all the time, but sometimes it is barely noticeable except for some blurring of road signs, scoreboards, etc.  The last two days, my vision is double as soon as I get up & worsens thru the day.  I will try the website for eye muscle specialists you suggested.  But I'd really like to find a doc who does restor lens implants for an evaluation.

[JodieJ]

I also developed double vision as a middle-aged adult, and I've done some research about it.  I strongly suggest that you follow up on Dr. Hagan's suggestion to see a strabismus/eye muscle specialist (sometimes called a pediatric ophthalmologist).  At least in my case, a painless surgical procedure eliminated my double vision.  Prism glasses are an alternative solution.

There's a very interesting article by Bertram Kushner, M.D. about how changes in eyewear (e.g., switch to progressive glasses, use of monovision contacts, etc.) can produce double vision in a vulnerable group of patients.  So it may not be absurd to conclude that your ReStors are somehow implicated in your symptoms.  (There are many other possible causes for your double vision, including normal aging.)  But your best bet for eliminating the problem is to consult an experienced, board-certified eye muscle specialist.  I don't think that a cataract/refractive surgeon would be helpful.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

-