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Facing cataract surgery, need feedback, help deciding on lenses
I read feedback on Crystalens and Restor lenses, but still cannot make a decision. The first doctor I saw said that he would not recommend any accommodative lenses. He would not implant them in his parents' eyes. That's a strong statement and surely most folks would not question it or look beyond.
I have been wearing glasses for many years now and have 8 different pairs, bifocals, progressive, reading, glare preventive and what nots. I spend good $800 a year on new glasses. My vision worsened this year terribly with the growing cataracts. I am afraid to drive anymore, I need new computer glasses already (just had new correctives 6 mos ago). The glare from the computer hurts my eyes and I have to close one eye to read.
When I did research on the accommodative lenses I clinged to Crystalens and wanted to hear from folks that have them. Then I saw this website postings and discovered Restor. Naturally, I want the best possible solution to my dilemmas, cataracts and poor near, intermediate and distance vision. I am 52.
I only have one "good" eye, my left eye was diagnosed with "lazy eye" condition since birth and has almost no vision. I have cataracts in both eyes and need surgery in both. Ideally, I would want accommodative in both eyes, if no contra-indications. I can always decide on my worse eye down the road, but are there any considerations I should be aware of?
Most importantly, which of the accommodative lenses should I choose? It seems that doctors specialize and recommend one type only and that makes it more difficult for patients to decide.
I have been wearing glasses for many years now and have 8 different pairs, bifocals, progressive, reading, glare preventive and what nots. I spend good $800 a year on new glasses. My vision worsened this year terribly with the growing cataracts. I am afraid to drive anymore, I need new computer glasses already (just had new correctives 6 mos ago). The glare from the computer hurts my eyes and I have to close one eye to read.
When I did research on the accommodative lenses I clinged to Crystalens and wanted to hear from folks that have them. Then I saw this website postings and discovered Restor. Naturally, I want the best possible solution to my dilemmas, cataracts and poor near, intermediate and distance vision. I am 52.
I only have one "good" eye, my left eye was diagnosed with "lazy eye" condition since birth and has almost no vision. I have cataracts in both eyes and need surgery in both. Ideally, I would want accommodative in both eyes, if no contra-indications. I can always decide on my worse eye down the road, but are there any considerations I should be aware of?
Most importantly, which of the accommodative lenses should I choose? It seems that doctors specialize and recommend one type only and that makes it more difficult for patients to decide.
Sorry for the confusion. Sometimes lasik is used in combination with implants to correct astigmatsim. Based on what you are saying I would recommend the ReZoom. It is designed to give you 20/20 distance vision, intermediate and 20/30 near vision. It utilizes 100% of the light which helps with contrast and night vision. You might have to wear glasses when reading very small print or when reading for long periods of time but then again you might not. Go to www.visioninfocus.com and it might help answer more of your questions. It is designed for what you are looking for.
I am confused by your answer. Are you recommending Lasix surgery because I want cataract surgery with the insertion of an IOL, but I am confused over restor, rezoom , etc. Which do you recommend for me. I do not want to wear glasses for distance and expect to wear some glasses for occasional near work. I have read on this sight that restor gives you fuzzy vision afterward.lack of acuity.
I saw two new doctors for second opinions yesterday(plus my original doctor)and I am nowhere closer to deciding what to do. It appears my stituation is rather complicated.
Dr. #1 is a respected Ophthalmologist at Southwestern Medical Center. He says the cataract removal has left me with high order abberations and significant astigmatism. Oddly the astigmatism wasn't remarkable before the surgery.He says a lens exchange would not solve my astigmatism problem and suggests lasik or surface PRK to correct both astigmatism and hyperopia. He says he would attempt to lift my 8 year old lasik flap(yikes!)and failing that,do surface PRK. Apparently cutting a second flap is not a good thing to do.
Dr. #2 is a young Ophthamologist in Fort Worth.He said he had never seen post surgery astigmatism like I have.He says a lens lens exchange is a better route(than lasik)but says he would bail on Restor and use a monofocal lens. He says getting the power closer to -+0 ,rather than farsighted,is not an unreasonable/unattainable goal. Both #1 and #2 said contact lens could be considered as a "status quo approach."
I also saw Doctor #3 who did my cataract/Restor surgery on 12/12/05. Doctor #3 is a young doctor who does lots of Restor work. He sides with Dr. #1 but said he did not do lasik himself anymore.He thought the contact lens idea was worth trying.
Assuming I went with a lens exchange he did NOT like the idea of a monofocal rather than a second Restor. He seemed interested in dismissing me -- and said he would see me in 3 months.
Here is my take today:
1)The status quo seems like a dead end because I don't like the idea of a far-sighted astigmatic left eye while the right eye remains nearsighted. Wearing glasses with a 3.75 diopter differnce is not really doable. Realistically I expect to need glasses for golf and reading no matter what route I take.Contacts might allow the "staus quo approach" to work but I see this as a longshot.
2)I don't like the idea of raising the 8 year old lasik flap.It is interesting that the doctor with the most experience and a prestigous background came up with this aggressive approach.
I would want to know a lot more about raising a flap and current surface/PRK techniques before going that route.
3)The right eye can't be overlooked. If I stay with status quo (farsighted Restor)in left eye then am I bound to target a similar outcome for the right eye so they will "match?" (lessen the diopter difference). Again,I am thinking about the ease of wearing glasses ultimately.
4)I will try contacts right away.I have an excellent Theraputic Optometrist who will give me my best shot at contacts.
5)I will get at least one more opinion and try to get further clarification from Drs. #1 and #2 after better outlining my concerns to them.
I WOULD BE MOST INTERESTED IN YOUR THOUGHTS. I am now 23 days out from my cataract removal.If you have a suggestion for a doctor in Dallas/Arlington/FW for my 4th Opinion I would be appreciative.
Dr. #1 is a respected Ophthalmologist at Southwestern Medical Center. He says the cataract removal has left me with high order abberations and significant astigmatism. Oddly the astigmatism wasn't remarkable before the surgery.He says a lens exchange would not solve my astigmatism problem and suggests lasik or surface PRK to correct both astigmatism and hyperopia. He says he would attempt to lift my 8 year old lasik flap(yikes!)and failing that,do surface PRK. Apparently cutting a second flap is not a good thing to do.
Dr. #2 is a young Ophthamologist in Fort Worth.He said he had never seen post surgery astigmatism like I have.He says a lens lens exchange is a better route(than lasik)but says he would bail on Restor and use a monofocal lens. He says getting the power closer to -+0 ,rather than farsighted,is not an unreasonable/unattainable goal. Both #1 and #2 said contact lens could be considered as a "status quo approach."
I also saw Doctor #3 who did my cataract/Restor surgery on 12/12/05. Doctor #3 is a young doctor who does lots of Restor work. He sides with Dr. #1 but said he did not do lasik himself anymore.He thought the contact lens idea was worth trying.
Assuming I went with a lens exchange he did NOT like the idea of a monofocal rather than a second Restor. He seemed interested in dismissing me -- and said he would see me in 3 months.
Here is my take today:
1)The status quo seems like a dead end because I don't like the idea of a far-sighted astigmatic left eye while the right eye remains nearsighted. Wearing glasses with a 3.75 diopter differnce is not really doable. Realistically I expect to need glasses for golf and reading no matter what route I take.Contacts might allow the "staus quo approach" to work but I see this as a longshot.
2)I don't like the idea of raising the 8 year old lasik flap.It is interesting that the doctor with the most experience and a prestigous background came up with this aggressive approach.
I would want to know a lot more about raising a flap and current surface/PRK techniques before going that route.
3)The right eye can't be overlooked. If I stay with status quo (farsighted Restor)in left eye then am I bound to target a similar outcome for the right eye so they will "match?" (lessen the diopter difference). Again,I am thinking about the ease of wearing glasses ultimately.
4)I will try contacts right away.I have an excellent Theraputic Optometrist who will give me my best shot at contacts.
5)I will get at least one more opinion and try to get further clarification from Drs. #1 and #2 after better outlining my concerns to them.
I WOULD BE MOST INTERESTED IN YOUR THOUGHTS. I am now 23 days out from my cataract removal.If you have a suggestion for a doctor in Dallas/Arlington/FW for my 4th Opinion I would be appreciative.
Sarasota-go see Randy Burke or Tommy Schwartz or both and see what they say. $4900 an eye is steep and must include lasik touch up if necessary. Surgeons who do these lenses should do lasik or have someone in their practice that does if they are a large group. You can correct astigmatisn at the time of surgery with LRI or AK cuts. Surgey can also induce astigmatism but usually that works itself out because it should not be that much with todays tecniques and lenses. Fort Worth, I will get back with you. I need to read your history a few times and speak with some of my lasik people.
I am 62 years old with early cataracts. I am choosing to do refractive surgery and have an IOL lens implant. I have prebyopia and am nearsighted. My reading is about a 3.75 with my distance about 2.75. I live in Sarasota and have been to 2 doctors. One recommended a monofocal, and the other restor lens. Now I am thinking of going to a third doctor who does rezoom lenses. They charge $4900 per eye which sounds very high based on other postings. Also, I am totally confused about which lens to get. I also have an astigmitism which the last doctor said he would correct during this surgery before putting in the lens. HELP!
How much astigmatism do you have? As far as the 80 and 90% promises, it is always better to underpromise and out perform. They take that from clinical studies but you have to look at the clinical studies and how they were performed. Get a second opinion. Take a trip to Corpus and talk to Dr. Dugan.
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