strength of lens implant for cataract surgery

I had cataract surgery on my left eye about 2 years ago and it is now minus 1.75 but my right eye is still minus 5.5.
I am very unbalanced and cannot read well. Reading glasses help but they make my eyes tired and uncomfortable. I am going for catract surgery on my right eye soon and would like advice on the strength of the implant for my right eye. Should I go for monovision and if so what strength should I choose or should I go for minus 2.25 (or more?) so that I can read without glasses or should I go for minus 1.75 (as in my left eye) but will that mean having reading and distance glasses? I am confused. Here in the UK, cataract surgery is not an exact science and I may not end up with the strength I want. I love reading and  will be grateful for advice.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

You need to have a long discussion with your surgeon and likely try on contact lenses for monovision to see if you will be happy.  Most of my patients do well with distance correction in one eye and -1.75 (intermediate to near) in the other and you simply need a pair of reading glasses for near work.  If you spend most of your time at your desk or reading, you may consider making it -2.25 ot -2.50 for near and using glasses to see far/driving.  Either way, it is safer if you try both with contact lenses for a few days each to see which you like better.  Not everybody is able to adjust to monovision and be happy.  Leaving it -1.75 would be safe but make you likely need glasses for both distance and near.

HV

[rutheepie]

Many thanks for your helpful advice. I will try contact lens to see if monovision suits me.