Restor lens/Cataract surgery

[Sgtjet]

Had cataract surgery in both eyes July 2010 yet to date I still do not have decent vision! I was told by my surgeon that these new multi focal lens would allow me to see and most likely read without glasses and that sounded good enough for me to pull 3K+ out of my meager savings to pay for the lens  price difference. However I have had periods of infection, cloudyness and so on since the surgerry. I have been examined by a retina specialist and given a clean bill of health but no explanation why I can't see? Surgeon gives me prescriptions for glasses and when I have them filled I can't see any better with them then I can without them ( 5 pairs so far )! Now I'm fighting a severe eye(s) infection and went to a different surgeon who says my lens is wrinkled and uneven but needs to clear up the infection first so he can see better. He says it might be best to remove these  implants and replace them with another type but have to go to Richmond to a specialist to do that since none of the local surgeons do that type of surgery. So now I have a year of my life and activities wasted and the possibility looms that I may have to go through the whole procedure again ( and I'm thinking this time it will be much worse)? Forgive my typing but its very hard for me to even see the keyboard or the screen even with the drug store mags on my face. Wish I had just kept the cataracts for a while and bought new glasses because at least I could see pretty good back then and could read with no problem and no glasses!! Any suggestions will be appreciated!! Thanks

[londonbridge]

I agree once more with disappointed 66.  It is a wise idea to locate the most qualified expert surgeon when doing an explant even if it is a few hours drive or more. You do not want to take any chances with anything less than the best. I still see my surgeon in Boston at MEEI which is also two hours away. When I was diagnosed recently with Glaucoma I returned to his care even though I have seen a very competent local doctor. I just felt that he would be on top of the latest research. My glaucoma is under control with a regimen of drops and I am considering having my other cataract removed and going with another monofocal. Then I can avoid the hassel of my one contact.  

FYI my insurance company covered the explant of the Restor with no problem.

Good luck and know that you will once again experience good vision.
London Brige

[disappointed66]

My first surgeon said I would have 16 year old eyes! Same scenerio as you.

Think positive.  You are going to one of the best surgeon.  .  You will achieve the eysight you want and so deserve.  Be patient.

All the best to you.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[Sgtjet]

I have seen another local eye surgeon and he advised me that if he were me he would have the best surgeon available give me an examination and he feels the result will be to remove the Restor Implants and replace them as you both stated. He made me an appointment with a specialist who is experienced in this type of surgery and problem up at John Hopkins in Baltimore, Md. It's a few hours drive for us here where we live but better to go to someone with experience who has the reputation of being (as well as having done) excellent with this type of problem/surgery. I think this is my best bet and if my insurance company gripes then I'm going to tell them to talk to the last surgeon who recomended these lens that cost me (out of pocket) about $3000.00 extra and had me thinking I would not need any glassses and would have great vision. I'm living on a cops pension and my wife is a retired OR nurse so 3K is a lot of money to us.  I just hope I can get this mess straight and get my vision back since I've lost a year so far you might say not to mention 5 pairs of glasses he prescribed that I can't see anthing out off.
Sgtjet

[londonbridge]

I echo the comments of disapointed66 and others in this forum. I also had one Restor implant with similar results. I had it explanted by a highly experienced surgeon and replaced with a monofocal lens. The surgery went great and I had no complications. I did blended monovision and had my nondominant eye set for intermediate with the new monofocal IOL and wear a contact lens in my other eye since my eyes are too different for glasses. When and if I have the minor cataract removed from the other eye I will choose another monofocal this time plano for distance. I only need perscription readers for computer work and small print.
Don't dispair. You can have lenses explanted even after a year or more. It is a long time to go without good vision and I would consider an explant once you clear up infections.
Take care and good luck.

[disappointed66]

I had the Restor put in one eye and the results were terrible. I could see nothing with that eye and the night glare was horrible and I coul d not drive. I would not allow the other eye to be done.  I had the Restor explanted with a monofocal lens by another surgeon.  It was successful and subsequently I had the other eye done.  I see excellent.  Only need readers for small print.  And  this was paid for by in insurance. My lens was not in for that long a period of time, but other have had explants done after a longer time.Of course everyones  eyes are different.  You need an excellent experienced surgeon.  Please check the archives on this forum which has much information on this.  Keep me posted.  Good luck