Vision for nearsightness after cataract surgery?

I had successful cataract surgery 12/29/08 on my left eye. I'm nearsighted and was told before surgery that I would be able to see distance out of one eye and closeup out of the other, without glasses.  So far without glasses everything is blurry unless I cover up the right eye.  I tried using my old glasses, taking out the left lens.  Well, that didn't work at all, vision was impossible.  Since then the Dr. has prescribed a new lens for the left side of my glasses but vision hasn't improved much and I really can't see wearing the glasses, feeling cross-eyed and unstable.  Depth perception feels off too.  If I don't wear the glasses I still feel like my vision is distorted.  Going out to a store is impossible.  I am very depressed and don't know what to do.  My Dr. is out of town for 3 weeks so I can't go back to him.  I was told that I have a cataract in the right eye but it doesn't bother me as of yet.  I'm wondering if the only relief I'm going to get is to have the other eye operated on, then atleast my eyes would be the same, seeing distance and wearing readers for upclose.  I'm thinking of calling another doctor to see if I can get in sooner.  Has this ever happened to anyone else?  What should I do?  

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Yes, this is very common and I suggest you look strongly into having the other eye done.  If the other eye is not ready itself for cataract surgery, I sometimes give a glasses prescription for the patient to at least try, however, it there is more than about 2 or 3 diopter difference between the eyes, the patient often cannot tolerate the glasses and has to go ahead and have cataract surgery.  There is one exception, and that is when the patient is able to wear contact lenses.  Then, with the contact lens in the unoperated eye, the patient can sometimes have a comfortable visual balance but it is often only for a few  months or so until the cataract worsens.  If neither glasses or contacts help, then the patient may very well need cataract surgery in the second eye to regain a natural, acceptable balance in the vision.  We call this imbalance anisometropia and it is a valid indication for cataract surgery in the proper setting.

MJK MD

[londonbridge]

I sympathize with you since I had a similar situation. My left eye has an implant and my right eye is myopic -8.00 with a slight cataract.  Two things that I have tried that work for now is 1. I wear a distance contact in my right unoperated eye. I had my left IOL eye set for mid distance so during the time I can wear my contact I have a good range of vision and just need readers to sharpen things up close. 2. I had a pair of glasses made with a blurred out lens for my IOL eye and so I can see with my old prescription. My brain has adapted to seeing out of one eye better with the lens blurred out. This situation only works well around the house. I tried driving that way and it was too difficult for me.
It is true that my myopic eye sees up close but the focal point is only about 4" from my face so it is great for very fine details but not practical for anything else.
I know this is all very frustrating and debilitating but you will find an answer. Don't be afraid to get second and third opinions from experts. Also from my own experience, I would not consider a multifocal. I had a Restor lens initially implanted in my left eye and have to have it explanted last Wed. I had poor vision at all distances and the power was off making me farsighted with a 9 diopter difference between my eyes. If you do the second eye you may want to consider mid distance. See posts by Dr. Hagan and JodieJ.

[zoey5203]

Thanks so much for your response!  I'm feeling somewhat better and hopeful after reading your posts.  Saw my doctor's associate today and he has prescribed a different lens for my glasses (which will take another 4 days to get here).  Somehow I'm thinking it's not going to help much but will contact him again about trying a contact lens for my nearsighted eye.  Maybe I'll get lucky and one will work so that I can postpone surgery for awhile.  It is SO VERY frustrating to not be able to see clearly.  I am functioning but just barely!  It is a nightmare to have to go out of the house!  Sure wish I'd have know all this before my cataract surgery!  Live and learn I guess.  Thanks again for your help!!!

[londonbridge]

Glad to be of help. I know what you mean about not being informed. I had no idea I wouldn't easily be able to wear glasses. After having such a disaster with my Restor lens I definately decided to postpone a second surgery. I want to keep my natural eye as long as possible. I also hadn't realized how nice having very close focus is, being myopic because I automatically put my glasses on as soon as I woke up just to be able to see. Once I couldn't do that I began to appreciate the close up vision more. You may find the same. If you do wind up correcting your second eye with either a contact or IOL you may like having some intermediate distance or close vision since so many things are at an intermediate distance, which I never realized.
Good luck