What kind of correction should I get with cataract surgery of one eye?

[mb0329]

I am very myopic in both eyes. For my current eyeglasses, the left lens spherical number is -5 and the right lens is -7.5. I saw an ophthalmologist last week because my right eye has gotten worse and he said it was now -9.5 after only about 7 months from getting my current eyeglasses. He also checked my right eye and said I had a cataract. He recommended that I get the cataract removed before he would give me a new eye prescription. He is not part of my Kaiser insurance and I’ve decided to get this done at Kaiser. I have to see an optometrist there first before they refer me to one of their ophthalmologists. I made an appointment to do this.

My concern is this…what kind of correction should I get for my eyes after the operation? I need to be able to use my computer and to read, however, I think I may prefer the lens they put in my right eye improve my long distance seeing, but I am flexible with this, and would appreciate suggestions on this.

Also, I prefer not to have to wear contact lens, because I don’t like the idea of putting something on my eye daily nor do I want to have to do that daily. I have had eyeglasses since I was around 10 years old (I am now in my 60s) and wearing eyeglasses will be OK. However, I learned from the eye doctor I saw (non Kaiser) that eyeglasses aren’t recommended if the difference between the eyes is too great like mine currently are.

Now, it they somehow correct my right eye to 20/20 for long or short distance, the difference between my corrected right eye and left eye would be too great for eyeglasses, right?

So, I am thinking of having them put a lens in my right eye that corrects it to, say -3 or -4, given that my left eye is -5. If I  do this, WOULD I THEN BE ABLE TO WEAR MY CURRENT EYEGLASSES UNTIL I CAN GET A NEW ONE MADE THAT MORE PRECISELY FITS MY EYES, AND IF SO, COULD THE LENS BE PROGRESSIVE, LIKE I HAVE NOW, CORRECTING BOTH MY SHORT DISTANCE AND LONG DISTANCE VISION?

AND IF I CAN DO THIS, CAN I LATER  (IF I CHOSE TO ) GET LASIK SURGERY TO MAKE BOTH EYES 20/20 OR SO?

Is the above a viable choice? Any suggestions? Thanks.

I already posted a question similar to the above but I need some clarification on this issue.

[JohnHaganMD]

Read this discussion carefully

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/841991/Consider-ALL-the-Options-Before-Your-Cataract-Surgery-Working-Through-Whats-Best-For-You

JCH MD

[Anomalychick]

Your current glasses will be useless after the surgery. If your left eye is -5, making your right eye a -4 is no problem, and depending on your tolerance a -3 might be okay as well. Considering your eyes have been 2 diopters apart your whole life, a -3 is fine. That will give you 20/20 vision at normal reading distance in that eye, combined with the good vision you  have six inches from your face in the other eye.
         Yes you can continue wearing progressive lenses, your corrected distance and near vision should not change with your glasses. Yes, you can have lasik later to change the prescription if your are not happy with it.