Halos with ReStor multifocal lenses

[CStarr]

I had Restor lenses placed 6/14 and 6/21. The halos at night are quite severe. Even wearing sunglasses does not help much. The car headlight halos are as big as the cars themselves. I can't drive on a heavily traveled road at all. Also,in the daytime everything seems very bright and i experience a lot of glare outside,so I wear sunglasses the majority of the time. My doctor told me that after I had both eyes done the halos and glare would diminish, but actually they are worse. I realize it is still very early in the healing process, but I was wondering if anyone experienced severe halos and then had them go away completely or subside significantly. I am trying not to over react, but I know if I am going to have the lenses removed, time is of the essence. Thanks. Char

[eyecu]

Dry eye will affect outcomes. ReStasis treat dry eye and takes some time to kick in. Artificial tears, flaxseed oil and Hydrotears tablets help as well. The cornea still determines the majority of refraction for light etc. and when it is dry it can effect vision, enhance the halo effect etc.

[K-D]

Wouldn't any of your insurance cover it?
I don't look for bargains where my eyesight is concerned.  Wishing the very best outcome for you!

[pmhettick]

Took your advice and attempted to schedule an appointment with the doc you recommended.  First visit is $325.00.  Guess I'll keep looking.

[K-D]

pm

If you send me your email, I can send you his web site to read.  He has info on out of town patients. I would put up his web site for you on the board,  but I do not know if it would be against the board rules.

[K-D]

PM

What City do you leave?  My doctor does see patients that have problems with a  implant that was not put in by him.
About the dry eye.  I don't know if I have dry eyes, but I have reddness and burning.  But I had that before my surgery and believe it is more of an allergy.  But I was given Restasis to try.

[pmhettick]

Recently had my 5 week post op after restor implants done in July.  Astigmatism seems to be -.50 or less, so not really a problem.  Doc has never had a restor lens patient before.  She indicated that the right implant was dead on center and the left one was pretty close, does that make a difference?  I also have severe dryness and had tried drops, so she recommended gel drops.  It still feels like the residue or whatever is still in my right eye after using the gel drops for a week.  Any recommendations as to what works best?  I know age and the medications I take (hormone replacement) don't help much either.  Also, K-D, do you think the doctor in St. Louis you recommended would help me with post op since he didn't do the surgery?  I really need someone who knows more about the lenses.  I think close vision would clear up considerably if I could get rid of the dry eyes.

[K-D]

Not really pmhettick.  I have dark hair and have the very same problem.  Maybe it is more related to age than hair color.;-)

[pmhettick]

Now I know how things get on her twice, oops!  I forgot to say that I was told it would take awhile for my brain to get used to having new lenses; my husband indicated that it would take twice as long for mine since I'm blonde.

[pmhettick]

No misunderstanding.  The Laser Center is a nationwide (chain) of clinics and Dr. Ernest is affiliated with this group.  He performed 40 cataract surgeries and 11 lasik procedures the first day I was there.  They offer same day surgery to out-of-state, or overseas patients.  I went in at 9 on Monday morning, went thru 2 hours of testing, discussed the surgery with the doc and had the first lens implant right after that.  I didn't even know I had cataracts.  I was prepared to have the lenses with or without the discovery of cataracts.  I had the post op on the right eye Tuesday morning, went directly to the center after that and had the left restor lens implanted.  Post op for the left eye was on Wednesday morning and  then we headed for home.

[pmhettick]

No misunderstanding.  The Laser Center is a nationwide (chain) of clinics and Dr. Ernest is affiliated with this group.  He performed 40 cataract surgeries and 11 lasik procedures the first day I was there.  They offer same day surgery to out-of-state, or overseas patients.  I went in at 9 on Monday morning, went thru 2 hours of testing, discussed the surgery with the doc and had the first lens implant right after that.  I didn't even know I had cataracts.  I was prepared to have the lenses with or without the discovery of cataracts.  I had the post op on the right eye Tuesday morning, went directly to the center after that and had the left restor lens implanted.  Post op for the left eye was on Wednesday morning and  then we headed for home.

[K-D]

I do not know anything about TLC.  But did you say that you had cataract surgery on your first visit?  I am confused. How can all the test be done and the specific lens ordered? What about the next day visit and follow- up?
Did I minunderstand you.

[K-D]

Can't argue with that.  Great doc.  Half price. See your delema.  Good luck to you whatever you decide!

[pmhettick]

Yes, I did.  Thank you.  I'm not sure what to do.  I have discovered that my surgeon, Dr. Paul Ernest is one of the best in the country and his fees are about half of what others are charging, even in the St. Louis area.  He said his fees are the best in the country and I think he's right.  It's worth the 8 hour drive to get one of the best at 1/2 the cost.  If they can do "same day surgery" (having never seen the doc previously) I guess they can do "same day lasik" too.

[K-D]

DId you receive my email with the info you desired?  Hope I sent it to the correct email address.

[K-D]

DId you receive my email with the info you desired?  Hope I sent it to the correct email.

[pmhettick]

The Lazer Center and my email is sandrasue_97***@****.  Not sure if he would appreciate followup from another surgeon's work.  The one I went to is also instrumental in this field, has operated in 30 countries and teaches across the US.  I'm sure they probably know each other and all might work out great.  I just hate to travel 8 hours for any checkup or tweaking.  My close up vision is real blurry and I hope the astigmatism lasik will help and the sooner the better.  Thanks again for your help.

[K-D]

Also, this doctor implants all the lenses, Restor, Rezoom, and Crystelens, as well as traditional.  He is well know also for laser.

[K-D]

I am not sure what the TLC means.  But I can give you the name of an eye doctor in St. Louis that is internationally known and voted Top Doc and Best Doc in America. He is as kind as he is talented.  I can send you info.  Can you give me your email?

Kathy

[pmhettick]

Would prefer to have a doc in the St. Louis area connected with the TLC group; but would appreciate the name of any other you could recommend.  Thanks

[K-D]

Are you looking for  a doc in the St. Louis area?  If so, let me know.  I have the name of a fantastic doc who is as kind as he is talented.

[pmhettick]

Hud, my surgeon is an 8 hour drive and I had planned to do the follow-up with my local eye doctor.  Not so sure that is a good idea now.  She hasn't had any patients with the restor implants and I probably should see someone who has worked with these.  I don't think any of the TLC affiliates in the St. Louis area are working with this procedure yet.  I went to Jackson Michigan for a "same day surgery" for the right eye and did the left eye the following day.  Maybe they can recommend someone in the area.  Thanks for your response.

[hud]

your astigmatism is a huge factor. The Restor lens has technology taken form the Hubble telescope (apodization) that is very sensitive to corneal irregularities like astigmatism, and even dry eye. I am sure that if your spherical power is on the money, your issues can be tweaked. You chose a bifocal implant, so you should expect your best vision at 2 distances, whichever third distance you feel the most uncomfortable after tweaking will determine when you may need spectacle assistance.

[pmhettick]

I was reading comments by Bo_Sr and have exactly the same lens and observations 3 weeks after surgery.  I don't think your situation is unique according to what I have read in the forums.  It scares me that six months down the road things will still be the same.  I am also in my mid 50's, paid big bucks for the implants and would see much better with a pair of $2.50 cheaters from Walgreens. You can't bring everything to within 14 inches of your face. That wasn't the outcome I expected.  I have a one person job in a small post office and feel like I'm in a daze half the time.  To see the computer monitor, I have to be on top of it, then I can't see the letters on the keyboard clearly.  To see the names on the post office boxes I sort the mail to is horrible.  If I had to sort letters and magazines into carrier cases with small divisions, I could never survive.  I think these lenses might be fine for a retired person or one who isn't in an office setting most of the time.
And the halos are awful, even in the daytime.  I understand things should improve with time, but these two individuals have had six months to adapt and heal, and they are still experiencing the same problem.  I do have slight astigmatism which the surgeon said might need a little lasik correction in 6 months or so; but would that improve intermediate distance or sharpen up the closer images?  My distance is fine.

[K-D]

So very sorry to read about your disappointing outcome with your IOL.  I was hoping that your surgery was recent, but I see that it was not.  Hopefully your doc will come up with a solution. Keep us imformed.  Best wishes for both you and your wife.