Using Non Dominant Eye for Distance with IOL

I have been nearsighted entire life with a big split.  Left eye is -3.25 and right eye -13.  Left eye dominant.  Very successful correcting both to 20/20 with glasses and contacts and did mono vision with left set for far and right set for near.  I now have cataract in right eye (age 54) that restricts my best vision to 20/50.  (no catatact in left eye)  I have been to several doctors who have recommended two options:  OPTION 1)  Insert Monofocal IOL in right eye set for distance and leave left eye alone as it is ok for intermediate/near without glasses.  Stick to monovision since I was very happy with mono vision with contacts.  OPTION 2) Insert Crystalens in right eye and evaluate situation with left eye for possible LASIK after right eye settles down.

QUESTION.  Option 1 would mean using non-dominant eye for distance and dominant eye for near, which would be a switch from what I currently have set up with contacts.   Does it matter which eye is set for distance?  Any thoughts on switching to non dominant eye distance?    I have no astigmitishm and small pupils (2mm)

I have no problem wearing glasses/contacts but would like to able to correct to 20/20 for FAA medical etc.  

Appreciate any thoughts on monfocal vs crystalens for my situation.  

PL
San Diego

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

Generally dominant eye is set for distance. you have a number of options. You can set the LE to distance, you can leafe the LE for intermediate -1.25 and may need glasses only for distance.

You can leave the RE about -2.75 for reading and do lasik on the RE.

Get two opinion before you make you decsion.

JCH MD

[londonbridge]

I was in a similar situation. I had a cataract in my left eye and I am right eye dominant. I went with a monofocal toric lens in my left eye set for intermediate, leaving my right eye with a contact lens that I have for distance. I am pleased with the results. I generally get by needing glasses only for reading small print or to sharpen things up a bit. I decided that I wanted to minimize the time I needed to wear both a contact lens and glasses on top, which I would have needed to do setting my cataract IOL for distance, since I was leaving the other eye with the minor cataract alone for now.  I plan to eventaully have my cataract removed and then have my dominant eye set for distance.
Hope this helps.