Cataract Surgery-ReStor lenses

[Susan12345]

I had cataract surgery with astigmatism repair and ReStor multifocal lenses on my left eye 5 months ago and on my right eye 4 months ago. The ReStor lenses were a complete failure, did not help my near vision at all and I still must wear reading glasses and bifocals.  I was very nearsighted before surgery and while my distance vision without glasses is of course much better than it was without glasses before surgery, it is worse than it was with glasses, even with cataracts before.  I HATE the loss of near vision, being nearsighted, before surgery I could always take my glasses off to see something up close and now of course can no longer do this, basically I wear my reading glasses all the time inside, and try to function with bifocals outside, I have gone to 3 different optometrists trying to get glasses that will help.  The worst part by far however, is that my eyes do not seem to focus as well together, there is an unpleasant, headache inducing "fluttering" sensation when reading (with my reading glasses, I cannnot read without them). My eyes are also very dry and tire easily when reading.  Is there anything that can be done for these problems?  I have actually started thinking about having the horrible ReStor lenses removed and replaced by regular IOL's, though I am terrified of more surgey.  How dangerous is this?  I have read that once too much scar tissue forms it can no longer be done.  I am furious that these ReStor lenses were ever approved and VERY frustrated.    Susan12345

[JodieJ]

Please stop blaming yourself for your vision problems.  They are NOT your fault.  I disagree with your statement that your doctor did nothing wrong technically.  I think hud's right--your IOLs are the wrong power, and they may also be improperly implanted.  (It requires greater skill to implant a multifocal than a conventional lens.)  Please go for a second (or third, if necessary) opinion.  I think that a surgeon who is experienced with ReStor would be best for identifying the sources(s) of your difficulties and providing you with treatment options. Maybe hud can recommend a good surgeon if you tell us where you live.

[K-D]

Susan, I just did want to mention that if you have your Restor exchanged for the Traditional lenses, if you have the Traditional set for near, you will need glasses all the time for most things in daily life.  Where as, if you have them set for distance, you will need glasses only for things near.  Of course the most important thing is what you are more comfortable with. Best wishes.

[K-D]

Susan, please get a second opinion from the best opthamologist in your city.  Do not let anymore time pass.  Do you have a teaching Medical School in your city?  If so, that is a good place to get a referral. As Hud said, lenses can be removed.  What City do you live in?  Hud can maybe recommend a doctor in your City.  If you still want them removed, it would still be better to go to a doctor that has experience with the Restor, I would think.  My thoughts are with you.

[Susan12345]

Well, I DEFINITELY wouldn't have the ReStor lenses replaced with another set of ReStor lenses!!!!!!!!!!!!!    If I were brave enough to go through 2 more surgeries I would have plain old-fashioned single vision IOL's, set for near vision and wear glasses for distance.  But I guess this is just fantasy, as long as I can still see, even if not as well as previously, I doubt I would be brave enough to try again.  Something else would go wrong, I attract bad luck like a magnet.   I just constantly keep kicking myself for being stupid enough to have these horrible ReStor lenses installed.  I've never been able to read with bifocals, so was so frustrated constantly switching glasses.  And though the ReStor advertisements said 20% still need reading glasses, I thought big deal, I already wear reading glasses.    They don't tell you about the other complications,  like the fluttering focusing problem or that's it's one thing to wear reading glasses for reading the newspaper and another when you can no longer see the buttons on the microwave without your reading glasses.  The fluttering comes and goes, the glasses I ordered from the 3rd optometrist have a different astigmatism prescription (it seems to keep changing) and expensive anti-reflection coating, maybe that will help, though most likely not, the problem's coming from the IOL, not the outside.    I'm just so angry, at myself, at my doctor for not recognizing that I was not a good candidate for multifocals and at the ReStor company.  I don't think my doctor did anything wrong technically.   But I'd be interested to learn if other people who have had difficulty with bifocal glasses are more likely to have problems with multifocal IOL's.  If so, they should be warned BEFORE they go through the trauma and expense of surgery.         Susan12345

[hud]

I agree. You need another opinion. The Restor lens is doing what its supposed to do, but your spherical and/or cylindrical power is not matched with the implant prescription. Your dry eye condition also exacerbates the situation. I have spoken to several surgeons who have dealt with scenarios like yours, from other surgeons' work, and have been able to explant/exchange lenses and treat any residual power issues. Dr robert Cionni in Cincinnati has reported that he has exchanged Restor lenses as far out as 12 months, with no complications. It is the last resort, as there are risks involved whenever you have to go back into the eye. Barring any contra-indicating pathology, you should have excellent vision with Restor.

[K-D]

Susan, I am so, so sorry to read your post.  Can you get a second opinion from another doctor?  I believe the Restor site has a list of names of doctors, in all the cities, that deal in Restor. One of those doctors can tell you about correcting or removing the lens.  Wishing the very best outcome for you. I would not let anymore time past though.