cataracts

eye exam for expected new glasses Rx - age 80- dx bil. cataracts; surgery indicated. 1st eye done 2+ wks. ago 2nd to be done in2/3 wks. .Plan was for far vision and wear reading glasses both eyes. .  AcrysofIQ mod. sn60wf       Power  21.D. Operative eye now very nearsighted with clearest vision at 2 ft. ;though not really clear. ? How could this be ? Dr. says lens did not "bend " to proper degree and "we" can correct that with glasses. I am not happy; the result is opposite that which was expected. Do you have an explanation for this result ? What can be done to correct it . I still have to have the 2nd eye done.  Thank you,  Bromeliad

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

Please use the search feature on this page and lookup discussions on introcular lens power determination.

The formula used to try and pick a IOL to leave an eye clear at distance, mid range or reading without glasses are NOT exact formulas.  The forumlas are especially prone to larger errors in eyes that are very long, very short, very astigmatic, those that have had previous corneal surgery (RK or lasik) or corneal disease.

I would suggest waiting a littler longer on the second eye to see how things shake out on the first eye. Our practice usually waits 4-6 weeks. Generally we don't like to do the second eye until the patient is wildly happy with the first eye.

You may get les myopic over the coming weeks. If not your options make that eye your "Near" eye and put an IOL of lower power in the second eye to be your "Far" eye without glasses. Then no line bifocals would make both eyes work well together at all distances. Without glasses you will have better vision that you did before.

Other options are riskier, more expensive and time consuming. IOL exchange, LASIK on the first eye.

JCH III MD