Post IOL Surgery Expectations

[matt15182]

I was recently diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes.  My right was worse than my left and I opted for monovision, far in the right and near for the left  (to be done when my left gets worse).  
The right eye diagnoses was for the Acrisoft IOL with a power of 23.5 D.
I am 39 years old and had no astigmatism or anything in my right eye.
My current predicament is that my focus seems to be best at around 5ft.  So much so, that when I am driving and I close my left eye my focus is set on the windshield and I have difficulty reading road signs, license plates, etc.
I would expect if this does not get better I will need glasses for my right eye to see near, and far.
The surgery was 8 days ago, I had a follow-up with the surgeon and he did not seem to think there was anything wrong.
How much should this focal point change in the future?  Is this normal?
If so, I am at a loss as to what I should do with my left eye.

[Claire_MHModerator]

Piggybacking onto JodieJ's answer and your question, here's a link to some posts that might be related to your questions:  

http://www.medhelp.org/search/expanded?cat=posts&query=cataract+surgery+monovison

Good luck, matt15182!

Claire
MedHelp.org

[JodieJ]

I'm not an eye care professional.  Although IOL power calculations are not an exact science, it seems that the power chosen for your IOL is farther than normal from what was targeted.  No, it is not usual for 5 feet to be the focal point when your target was good distance vision.  In this case, you have 3 choices:  1) wear glasses for good distance vision, 2) have LASIK or a similar refractive procedure, 3) exchange the IOL for one that's the correct power.  I'd suggest that you discuss these options with your surgeon.  If you opt for an IOL exchange, please have it done by a surgeon who is experienced with this procedure.  (You could ask your surgeon for a referral or try calling the ophthalmology department of major medical centers in your area.  You would want to be seen by a senior staff member who is experienced doing IOL exchanges.)

I agree with you that having your current vision in your dominant eye when your goal was monovision is very disappointing.

[achillea]

On the top right  of your screen there is a search box for medhelp.  You can type into it a phrase like 'monovision IOL.'  If you do that, these are the medhelp discussions on that subject that will pop up:

http://www.medhelp.org/search?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=monovison+iol&camp=top_nav_search

Before you have the other eye done, you need to go back to your surgeon and talk this over big time, until you understand the physics (at least the basic idea) and what is possible with your particular eyes.

[matt15182]

Dr. Hagan,
I am trying not to be offended by your response.
Links please.  I cannot find what you are talking about.  I do not know the technical jargon for fixed focal point in the wrong location.
I knew going in I would need corrective contacts/glasses.  I was going for far vision, not 5ft vision, which is neither far nor near.

To somebody more helpful on this forum:
If I go ahead with the plan, I may not be able to deal with the outcome.  
If I close my left eye everything past 5 ft is out of focus.  Is this normal?  Should I pursue a far lens in the left eye at this point?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You have not done your homework prior to surgery. Use the search feature and archives to read about the many proglems associated with monovision for people that have not done it before surgery with contact lens or who expect not to be wearing glasses some or most of the time.  There are many discussions of the problems you are having.  Glasses and/or contacts are in your future.

JCH MD