Toric Blurry at Distance, Clear at Near

[mmmmpppp]

Hi, my mom had the first of two Toric lenses implanted yesterday.  She just got the patch off this morning, a couple of hours ago.  She tested 20/20 and almost plano, -.25.  Both of her lenses are supposed to be set for distance.

I am writing because she says that the back of a bottle and her computer are clear, but print at long distances is blurry.  This surprised me.

Does this simply reflect the fact that it's only been a few hours since removing the patch?  Or is she farther from plano than they say?  What would explain it?

TIA!

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

You're welcome
JHaganMD

[mmmmpppp]

Thank you again.  I truly appreciate it.

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

Well she should discuss it again with her surgeon. She needs what's called an end point refraction (glasses test) then rediscuss what she would like to do. If she opted for both eyes for distance and the operated eye unexpectedly is set for near then the other eye should probably be remeasured and a "fudge factor" adjustment made since the regular formulas on the first eye were not predictive (the IOL was too strong which made the eye myopic or near sighted. The other eye if set for distance would have to be of a lower IOL power)   She also needs to discuss he adjustment to monovision if she opts for one eye at near and the other at distance not everyone can get use to that.

She/you should use the search feature/archives and read about monovision with IOLs and min-mono and distance or near bias.

JCH MD

[mmmmpppp]

Thank you, Dr. Hagan!  What you and the other doctors do here is such a great service!

Do you think it's worth getting the word to my mom's doctor that her focus may not be distance as intended?  Might he do anything differently next week with the other eye?

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

She likely has a monofocal IOL. That means the eye is focused in ONE place. if her near vision is perfect then her distance vision will likely need glasses.

It will take several weeks for the eye to heal. Things may change.  If she sees perfect at near without glasses and needs glasses for distance that isn't a bad thing.

Remember IOL power selection is NOT an exact science.

JCH MD