monovision IOLs

[abqpaul]

I am having cataract surgery in my left eye in a few weeks.  My doctor is recommending an intermediate IOL, since my right eye is not showing any cataract symptoms at this time.  My O.D. is -3.50 and O.S. is -4.75.  The intermediate correction would allow me to continue to wear glasses, but in the event that my right eye would require and IOL, it would be for distance.  The end event would be "monovision".  If my left eye were corrected for distance, I would then have to wear a contact lens in my right eye, until such time it would need surgery and also be corrected for distance.  I am uncertain whether to have monovision in the long run or deal with wearing one contact short term and having to wear reading glasses.  If one is not happy with monovision, are glasses an option for correction or would I be stuck with vision that might be troublesome?  It seems like a minor thing, but it feels paramount to me regarding my vision.  Thank you for your advice.

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

No true monovision is often difficult to correct with glasses as there is too much difference between the eys so they are not balanced.]

THere are lots of discussions which you can access by using the search feature and archives that talk about monovision, mini mono vision with distance bias, mini monovision with near bias.

You've always worn glasses so monovision likely will be difficult to deal with.

One option:  correct your left eye to about -1.50 post op then plan on getting lasik on the right eye that doesn't have a catarct. If you can read good for most things with left eye than lasik can shoot for "plano" or no RX for distance. This combination gives very good vision without glasses for most people and with glasses gives superb vision (no line bifocals)

JCHDM

[cdoc]

Hi abqpaul - Last week I posted about my situation, which is very similar to yours with the addition of a slight astigmatism in my cataract eye (right).  Both eyes are -5 and my left shows no sign of a cataract.

I don't know how, or if, one can link threads here, but you can see some of the responses to the thread I created if you search for my name.  One of the responses is from Londonbridge, who wears a contact lens with a distance IOL.

My doctor suggested having my IOL targeted for -2.5 which would still allow me to where glasses (with my other -5 eye).  His opinion was that a 2.5 D difference was about the limit for wearing glasses.  Presuming that you correct your left eye to something around -1.5 or -2.0 then it seems like you could wear glasses both now and after your right eye was corrected later for distance.  

These are just my thoughts based on what I've learned so far.  There are many others with much more experience (not to mention actual medical degrees.)

Good luck.