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Eye Care  (Expert Forum)
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wrong power in lens replacement during cataract surgery
Answered by
Discover Vision Centers Kansas City - MO
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

wrong power in lens replacement during cataract surgery

by senoraq, Mar 31, 2008 08:11PM
Tags: cataracts
I had cataract surgery about 6 weeks ago.  I now have less vision (far and close) in the eye that had the surgery

the doctor said that the wrong power lens was probably calculated and my options are :glasses, contacts lasik or a lense exchange

How can the power calculation be so far off? I can barely see anything

is this a doctor mistake?

I have opted for the lense exchange if my insurance will pay for it - I cannot handle contacts and glasses get to complicated as I have had to retinal strokes in my other eye

Pleas etell me how this mistake can happen

I was so excited to have the chance to see better and now I am devastated and driving myself crazy by closing one eye and hoping I can see better out of the other

M

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Mar 31, 2008 08:27PM
You can use the search feature, archives and health topics to look up previous discussions about calculations of IOL power. IT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE.  Generally MOST (But NOT ALL) patients end up + or - 0.50 diopters of the expected results but 10% may end up more than + or - 1.50 diopters or more off the expescted results.

JCH III MD
Member Comments (19)

by senoraq, Mar 31, 2008 08:28PM
To: dr hagan
I still don't understand how it is so far off to require a lens exchange

could my lens been someone else's

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Mar 31, 2008 11:08PM
You have not stated how far "off" your IOL is.  Also the formulas don't work nearly as well for very farsighted, very nearsighted, very astigmatic eyes and eyes with previous RK or lasik.

JCH IIIMD

by Orangechubbs, Apr 06, 2008 10:32PM
To: JCH IIIMD
After spending over $2500.00 on each eye to have cataracts removed-- my eye sight is not much better.There is a film like substance that covers both eyes when trying to read or drive.It has been well over  nine months now having surgery. and my Doctor is ,like "what can I tell you? Come back in six months and "WE" will check it out ! ! ! What do you think??

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 06, 2008 10:48PM
I think you need a second opinion from a reputable Eye MD cataract surgeon. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH MD

by senoraq, Apr 07, 2008 10:33AM
To: john c hagan, MD
Sorry I didn't get back sooner

re:  less vision after cataract surgery - I went from seeing about 4 lines on the E chart to not seeing the E chart because of total blur

went back to the doctor and he said the new lens was miscalculated and am having it replaced in 20 days

did the doctor make a mistake with the calculations

Thanx

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 07, 2008 09:07PM
Ask him.

JCH IIII MD

by Sharon65, Apr 14, 2008 10:52PM
To: Anyone
I am considering multi-focal lens replacement but have heard two reports of 'halos' around lights (night vision) that have not decreased in 3 or 4 months.  Anyone experienced this or have information on frequency of this happening?

Sharon Marler    ***@****

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 14, 2008 11:29PM
Use the search feature and read the many unhappy reports from patients with multifocal IOLs. If you go that way best avoid the ReZoom IOL.

JCH III MD

by Val112, Apr 15, 2008 01:47AM
To: Doctor
Similar to "M" above, my Mom will have surgery to replace an incorrect lens from her cataract surgery (about a month ago) tomorrow morning. I am so worried about her and have searched the internet to find out how this can happen and what the risks are from having the corrective surgery. She doesn't know if the insurance will cover it but she wants to much to have her eyesight corrected. I can't find information on whether this surgery is usually successful or not. I pray for anyone in this situation. Please pray for my Mom. Thank you.

V

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 15, 2008 09:40AM
IOL power exchange surgery is usually very successful.
JCH III MD

by Linda1748, Apr 17, 2008 08:00PM
To: Doctor
I've been miserable after having a multifocal lens implant a year and a half ago for all the same reasons as others.  My questions is -- Is it true that there is a significant risk of retinal detachment if I replace the lens with a monovision?  My doctor has already tried prk, oitments, pills and drops.  Am currently using alphagan.

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 17, 2008 11:56PM
You are at increased risk for RD because you have had cataract/IOL surgery. The risk of RD is not higher with multifocal than monofocal. The risk of an RD will not increase with a second operation unless there is a compllication like capsular tear or vitreous loss. You will have the standard risks of another operation: infection bleeding swelling of the macula.

JHC III MD

by alkuwari, Apr 18, 2008 06:01AM
when the computer allowed.

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 18, 2008 09:00AM
--

by Ian76, Apr 18, 2008 11:47AM
To: John C Hagan III, MD, FACS
I am 32years old and diagnosed in childhood with Bilateral nuclear congenital cataract and I am interested in having an eye surgery. I can read very well but I can`t see well at far. I wear glasses but I can`t drive a car.  I am a layer and I would like to take the driving license. I would like a piece of advice in that matter: is it an eye surgery the solution to my problem? could you give me some details about this surgery, the effects and risks?
after the cataract surgery do you think I will be able to get that driving license?
Ian

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Apr 18, 2008 10:44PM
Many people with congential cataract have subnormal vision because they eyes have amblyopia due to the cataracts. They don't develop to their full potential. If you have never seen 20/20 then cataract surgery will not restore normal vision.

The questio