Should I get near or far vision?

[Barbary]

i'm about to have cataract surgery, and my doctor recommended toric because of my astigmatism. I also have amplyopia, so I have to choose between having good far or near vision. I'm on the computer all day long because of my job,and have been nearsighted since late childhood, so I'm used to glasses for distance, and prefer no glasses for reading. He said most people prefer having good distance vision, and I don't see much about testing for near vision. Does toric work as well for near vision? Would I be making a mistake to choose near vision?

[Barbary]

Well, I had the surgery 2 days ago, and right now my vision is 20/30. Next eye is in 2 weeks. I am using glasses with the computer and for reading, and may get some for distance. But things are a lot better, and I'm glad I had the surgery. Thanks for all your encouragement.

[Barbary]

Thanks, everyone. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[JohnLibbel]

When I wrote my post, I did not realize that you needed glasses for "every thing except reading."  This is where our situations differ:  Prior to surgery, I basically needed glasses only for driving and other far distance tasks.  I did not need glasses for most mid-distance tasks, such as working with tools, using a camera, PC, swimming, yard work, etc.  After surgery, I am about where I was before with respect to using glasses, except that I use reading glasses for small-type books (and not for larger font displays, such as an iPad.)  As I mentioned, my acuity is much improved at all distances.

Given your facts, I would make the same decision that you have made.  Very best of luck to you.

[disappointed66]

In my opionion, I think you made the right choice. I have distance IOLs in both my eyes. My near and mid vision also are good.  It is great to be glasses free except for reading. It is great not having to wear glasses to drive.  I don't wash my hair with conditioner any more!  I Have the same good results as LynneAV. keep in touch. Good luck :)

[LynneAV]

I think you will be glad about this decision.  As a lifelong nearsighted person who could read without glasses, but required glasses for navigating safely -- walking outdoors, shopping, of course driving --  and reading a clock or seeing a TV screen across a minor distance ...  I was *pretty" sure I wanted to retain the vision to which I was accustomed all my long life.  But, I couldn't be "totally" sure.  So I acquiesced to my doctor's insistance upon correcting my distance vision.  I was prepared to be disappointed in the results and had my "I told you so's" all ready to go after surgery. But -- I am overjoyed to have normal vision. Beyond overjoyed, I believe this is a miracle.  In the docror's waiting room after patch removal the day following surgery, I stood there just looking out the windows, repeating, "I can see the cars in the parking lot, I mean it, I can see all the cars in the parking lot ..."   I would have done this at age 3 if I could have.  Just my experience, for what it is worth.

[Barbary]

Thanks. I did look a lot on-line and found very little for near and mid-distance; hence, my posting.

[Barbary]

Thanks. I'm going with the distance for no glasses, mostly because I couldn't find much on near/mid-distance vision. I'm used to glasses for everything except reading. Maybe I can see when I swim now.

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

There are probably a hundred discussions of the pros/cons of both. You can access them with archives and search feature.
JCH MD

[JohnLibbel]

My history was exactly the same as yours:  astigmatism, amplyopia, on computer all day, used to glasses for distance and no glasses for reading.

With the help of the doctors on this forum, I chose a toric lens for my "good" eye with the goal of not needing glasses for reading and mid distances, understanding that I would need glasses for distance (which has always been the case for me).

After surgery, I do not need glasses for the computer, reading labels of products on store shelves, working with hand tools, etc.  My targeted focal point ended up at about 14-16 inches, so I do need glasses for book reading.  The toric corrected most of my very bad astigmatism for distance and I now have the best -- corrected -- distance vision I have had in decades.  (I did not use a toric lens for my "bad eye.")

As the doctors here forewarned, setting a targeted focal point is not an exact science and the closer the goal, the less depth of field is available.  In my case, we tried 12-14 inches but ended up a little beyond that.  I am delighted, however, at being able to use the computer and hand tools without glasses.  (With a TV, I can get by without glasses but prefer to use them to address my residual astigmatism.)

Someone on this forum suggested selecting the option that would more closely achieve the vision lifestyle you are accustomed to.  I think that was good advice for me.

Good luck.