ReStor IOL and Astigmatism

[Susan12345]

I have written before about my ReStor woes and trying to decide whether to take the  risk of having them explanted and replaced with monofocals.  I am still trying to figure out one of the things the doctor I consulted said.  I had astigmatic keratotomy done with my cataract surgery, but still have significant astigmatism in my right eye.  I thought my surgeon had not been able to correct my astigmatism totally, but the latest surgeon said in fact I no longer have astigmatism via corneal exam, though clearly do on refractive testing.  I still don't understand how that's possible.  The doctor said something about maybe it's in the lens, but wouldn't elaborate further.  If someone has lens related rather than corneal astigmatism, is this something that I might have had with my natural lens before surgery, something caused by a defective IOL, or something that has to do with my  eye's reaction to any IOL?    Susan12345

[JodieJ]

Being a paid consultant doesn't make somebody a criminal, IMO.  But I agree that it's only fair for a doctor to make his relationship with a manufacturer known, if such a relationship exists.  That's what's done in the professional journals, so I guess that most of the doctors reading the articles just ignore the hype.  But it strikes me that the entire field of cataract surgery is dominated by corporate interests, which is very bad for us consumers.  It means that we have no objective research for evaluating the performance of an IOL or for comparing different lenses (and neither do our surgeons!)  And even if we have a preferred lens (such as the Tecnis), it may be very difficult to find a surgeon who uses it.

Susan, it's interesting that your question for Dr. Christenbury was censored, presumably for its negative content about ReStor.  (You might want to try toning it down and resubmitting it to see what happens.)  That's why this forum is SO valuable--negative statements about somebody's experience with a product are not censored!

[Susan12345]

Well, all the doctors I've seen have checked for that, I think that's pretty standard.  From what I've read if I did get that,  the YAG procedure used to treat it would preclude any chance of an explant, so it's definitely not something I would be eager to rush in to.  I did finally get my corneal topography results in the mail today and even though my doctor had said my exam showed no corneal astigmatism, the test result said my right eye showed "the characteristics associated with keratoconus suspect (which sounded scary but when I looked it up basically seemed to mean astigmatism) as well as features similar to unclassified variations, whatever the heck they are.  The left eye had the characteristics associated with a normal cornea but also features similar to keratoconus suspect.  (Though how  could  they possibly say I have a "normal" cornea when I've obviously got keratotomy scars in it).   Anyway, I've got many many questions for the doctor which hopefully he will answer.   Yeah it makes me furious that a doctor will pretend to be writing an objective advice column and be paid off by the company for doing so.  Doctors (most) are RICH.  They shouldn't feel the need to prostitute themselves for drug companies.   Do they really not care that people suffer just so they can make a few extra bucks?  I guess not.   Susan12345

[JodieJ]

I don't know how to interpret your topography findings.  In your place, I'd want to know (1) whether keratoconus was a preexisting condition; (2) how the findings shown in the topography may be affecting your current vision; (3) what recommendations the doctor would have in light of these findings.  Hope you new doc can clarify everything for you.

[Susan12345]

I discovered this doctor's column when googling a few months ago and did send him a question which he never answered, no doubt because of my complaints about the  Restors:  it is obvious by his continuous praise of them that he is paid by the Alcon company.  Susan12345

[Susan12345]

Blue, how are you doing after your IOL repositioning?  Did you have both eyes done?   I'm still trying to figure out how your lens were so decentered that even your wife could see it, but the other doctors you went to couldn't.  I googled the wavefront analysis test and it seems like most of the Lasik places boast that they do it but I couldn't find info on doing it to check IOL placement.  Needless to say, nobody advertises explants! Hope you're doing ok.   Susan12345

[JodieJ]

I recently discovered a website where the self-described "most experienced ReStor surgeon in the nation" responds to questions and problems about eye surgery.  There are hundreds of Q&A's posted.  The doctor's response to most inquiries about cataract surgery/IOL choice is to "get bilateral ReStors,"  which he apparently views as the best innovation since sliced bread.  However, there are a few interesting posts from people who already have bilateral ReStors and have problems with them. The doctor seems to attribute problems with near/intermediate vision to PCO (or the beginnings of it).  I know it's a long shot, Susan, but I was wondering if PCO could possibly be contributing to your ReStor woes.  (It's an easy condition to fix.)  In any case, to locate a link to the website, enter the words "Dr. Christenbury" "Restor" "expert" into Google.  (And if you decide to ask for the doctor's advice about your own ReStor experience--and he actually posts your question--PLEASE let me know.  I just can't imagine what he'd tell you, since he doesn't believe that a case exists where ReStors won't work.)

BTW, I checked several references, and all say that you can't have lenticular astigmatism after cataract surgery.