beyond plano

[Capes55]

I'm 10 days post op.

I'm really concerned I may have been over corrected.  If I end up beyond plano after having been extremely nearsighted all my life, how big of a problem will it be?

A surgeon's tech told me last year it would be a "disaster"

I hope she was wrong and I hope there's a solution (other than a piggyback lens or lens exchange)

At this time, I feel that I was way better off pre surgery than I am now.

Thank you in advance for any help.

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

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[JodieJ]

I developed a rapidly progressing cataract in one eye following retinal surgery.  I was about -675 in both eyes before cataract surgery, but my vision was correctable to 20/20 (before I got the cataract.)  I got aspheric monofocal IOLs by Alcon, and they have exceeded my expectations.  I've never had a problem with them, and my post surgery vision is at least as good as my best corrected vision before surgery.  You can learn more about this type of IOL by watching the patient education video at www tecnisiol com.

If you want to minimize your dependence on glasses, getting "blended vision" is a good option.  You could either choose near/intermediate vision or intermediate/distance.  With either choice, progressive glasses would give you good vision at all distances.  I hope you find a good surgeon who will take the time to discuss these options with you.

[battleax]

Please share with me your degree of myopia before and after IOL implant surgery.  
What do you use glasses for?    What can you see, or can't see with the IOL implants that you got.  Do you use soft contact lens?You both do a lot of commenting, especially you, Jodie.  

I have -11 myopia, age 68, and take care of an aged parent full time..  

I had 20/20 and 20/30 vision until the presbyopia stage came along.   Now, I have 20/50 left with astigmatism, and 20/40 in the right eye.   I use bifocals around the house, and have to put in my formerly well loved contacts with special sun glasses to avert the tremendous glare that I now experience.   Dr. Hagen advised against multifocals, which  formerly seemed promising.  I hate to give up my close vision, and am leaning towards having cataract surgery that leaves me nearsided.   I like reading, use the computer, have a large garden, do all my housework, and have appliances that have LED displays instead of dials.  I do not drive at night unless absolutely necessary due to glare of oncoming headlights.  I just want to see well, and am not adverse to owning different pairs of glasses to reach that goal.

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

You're welcome

JCH MD

[Capes55]

Thank you both once again for your help.

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

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[JodieJ]

Actually, I think that your surgeon's tech got it wrong--being farsighted post surgery might be a disaster for people accustomed to MILD myopia.  They are used to being able to read and use the computer without glasses or contacts, and they would lose this ability.  As a high myope, I needed glasses/contacts for almost all activities (except threading needles).  I was used to wearing progressive glasses with plano tops over my contacts before surgery, and the same glasses worked well for me afterward (without the contacts).

Capes55, given your pre-surgery target and your uncorrected astigmatism, it's very unlikely that you are even slightly farsighted.  I suspect your problem is the difference in image size between your eyes, in which case getting your second eye done is the solution.  

[JodieJ]

I was slightly farsighted one day post-op, after a lifetime of high myopia.  (My target had been about -.5 D.)  It was hardly a disaster, and I was actually pleased with the outcome.  I could read the 20/30 line on the eye chart and drive without a contact lens in that eye.  My vision with the implant and a contact was comfortable.  Over the next few weeks, my distance vision got a little sharper, and I was no longer farsighted.  I suppose that my near/intermediate improved, too, although that change wasn't noticeable.  I still needed glasses for most near/intermediate tasks.

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

It's too early to get totally bent out of shape. You need to know your 'residual refractive error" next time in ask for a refraction and then be given the results. If you are "over-corrected" you'll still be myopic, if you are "undercorrected" you will be farsighted which is worse.

Ways of dealing with under/over correction short of IOL exchange: glasses, contacts, corneal refractive surgery.k

JCH MD