Aa
Strategy for high myopia, high astigmatism, cataracts
Hi,
I am a 48 year old male who has extreme myopia, very high astigmatism, and cataracts.
OD: -16.0 +3.0
OS: -16.5 +3.5
I have worn glasses/contacts since age 5. For the last 5 years, I have worn extended-wear toric soft lenses. I have thin corneas and a very long eye. I have a history of sisters and mother have Retina Detachments and Glaucoma.
My goal is to be glasses/contacts free if possible. I work in IT and spend many hours in front of the computer.
I have seen two providers and two retina specialists. The first provider has recommended normal IOL lenses followed up by PRK with monovision. The second provider, who I have more confidence in, has recommended Alcon's ReSTOR lenses followed up with PRK (no monovision needed). Both retina specialist found some limited posterior vitreous separations (normal with the high myopia) and have given the green light for surgery, though they both say, yes retina detachments may be a problem, but there is nothing we can do until it happens if it does.
Obviously this is all going to be very costly, particularly the out of pocket for me. However, I am lucky to know an Alcon rep who may be able to get my lenses for me for free.
What does anyone think? which recommendation should I go with? What about the risks or odds for success?
Should thin corneas have me worried about the PRK? Thanks for any input!
I am a 48 year old male who has extreme myopia, very high astigmatism, and cataracts.
OD: -16.0 +3.0
OS: -16.5 +3.5
I have worn glasses/contacts since age 5. For the last 5 years, I have worn extended-wear toric soft lenses. I have thin corneas and a very long eye. I have a history of sisters and mother have Retina Detachments and Glaucoma.
My goal is to be glasses/contacts free if possible. I work in IT and spend many hours in front of the computer.
I have seen two providers and two retina specialists. The first provider has recommended normal IOL lenses followed up by PRK with monovision. The second provider, who I have more confidence in, has recommended Alcon's ReSTOR lenses followed up with PRK (no monovision needed). Both retina specialist found some limited posterior vitreous separations (normal with the high myopia) and have given the green light for surgery, though they both say, yes retina detachments may be a problem, but there is nothing we can do until it happens if it does.
Obviously this is all going to be very costly, particularly the out of pocket for me. However, I am lucky to know an Alcon rep who may be able to get my lenses for me for free.
What does anyone think? which recommendation should I go with? What about the risks or odds for success?
Should thin corneas have me worried about the PRK? Thanks for any input!
Restore IOL SUCCESS!!
Hi all, just wanted to give an update of my experience. I know there are several people on here who are strongly against the multi-focal IOLs and tell of horror stories about their bad experiences. i don't doubt their experiences are authentic and I am sorry for the trouble they went through. I have a sister who went through a rough time with Restore IOL (but finally all OK for her too). However, I am one who can tell you there are multi-focal IOLs success stories and I am one of them.
Please see my previous posts about my eye conditions details. I had horrible eyes with many issues and concerns. Just before my surgery, my eyes further degraded to:
OD: -17.0 +3.0
OS: -16.5 +3.5
Over the last 7 months there has been some dramatic changes.
First, I have successfully completed cataract surgery on both eyes; getting the Restore IOL. I did not have any retina issues thank goodness. My retina specialist says my retina status has not changed any because of my procedures. I did initially have halo issues, but my eyes and mind have resolved them and it is not a problem for me.
Next, came the PRK. I did have some issues with pain and healing following PRK on both eyes (both done at the same time). Nothing serious, but my healing took 3 weeks to complete. I don't want to scare anyone about PRK, but you should know, it isn't as simple as cataract surgery and certainly not Lasik. It is much more intense and does involve some pain. It was much more intense then what I expected and the time for my sight to clear up took longer than what I expected (3 weeks). However, after 4 weeks, all pain was gone and I experienced the most amazing miracle of my life.... uncorrected vision of 20/15 OD and 20/20 OS. Not only do I have this great distance vision, but because I have the Restore IOL, I can clearly see at any distance including very small print, very close up. I do need to have good lighting to see the small print close up, but not anything unreasonable. I can once again easily read menus and the bill/tab in a dimly lit restaurant! I am an IT profession and computer vision is great! I can easily see and use my new Iphone 4..yea!
Again, I don't want to say to those who have had trouble that I don't believe them and I am very sorry for those who have had bad experiences. But I did want to let people know there are also hugely successful stories out there and mine is one of them. I know I am blessed. I do think the skill of my surgeon had much to do with it...he is one of the best in the world. I was very picky about what surgeon I chose. I went to several specialist in Indy and Cincy, got multiple opinions, and reached out and consulted with people in the industry to find the best surgeon I could for my conditions. Again, I think the skill of the surgeon is so critical in a successful outcome. I know it is hard to do this because all these specialist are the best, right? That is why I went to people in the industry to find out, i was lucky to know some people who knew some people...kind of thing.
Yes, it did cost me approximately $12,000 out of pocket to get it all accomplished, but for me, it has been worth it and I would do it all the same way in a do-over.
Hi all, just wanted to give an update of my experience. I know there are several people on here who are strongly against the multi-focal IOLs and tell of horror stories about their bad experiences. i don't doubt their experiences are authentic and I am sorry for the trouble they went through. I have a sister who went through a rough time with Restore IOL (but finally all OK for her too). However, I am one who can tell you there are multi-focal IOLs success stories and I am one of them.
Please see my previous posts about my eye conditions details. I had horrible eyes with many issues and concerns. Just before my surgery, my eyes further degraded to:
OD: -17.0 +3.0
OS: -16.5 +3.5
Over the last 7 months there has been some dramatic changes.
First, I have successfully completed cataract surgery on both eyes; getting the Restore IOL. I did not have any retina issues thank goodness. My retina specialist says my retina status has not changed any because of my procedures. I did initially have halo issues, but my eyes and mind have resolved them and it is not a problem for me.
Next, came the PRK. I did have some issues with pain and healing following PRK on both eyes (both done at the same time). Nothing serious, but my healing took 3 weeks to complete. I don't want to scare anyone about PRK, but you should know, it isn't as simple as cataract surgery and certainly not Lasik. It is much more intense and does involve some pain. It was much more intense then what I expected and the time for my sight to clear up took longer than what I expected (3 weeks). However, after 4 weeks, all pain was gone and I experienced the most amazing miracle of my life.... uncorrected vision of 20/15 OD and 20/20 OS. Not only do I have this great distance vision, but because I have the Restore IOL, I can clearly see at any distance including very small print, very close up. I do need to have good lighting to see the small print close up, but not anything unreasonable. I can once again easily read menus and the bill/tab in a dimly lit restaurant! I am an IT profession and computer vision is great! I can easily see and use my new Iphone 4..yea!
Again, I don't want to say to those who have had trouble that I don't believe them and I am very sorry for those who have had bad experiences. But I did want to let people know there are also hugely successful stories out there and mine is one of them. I know I am blessed. I do think the skill of my surgeon had much to do with it...he is one of the best in the world. I was very picky about what surgeon I chose. I went to several specialist in Indy and Cincy, got multiple opinions, and reached out and consulted with people in the industry to find the best surgeon I could for my conditions. Again, I think the skill of the surgeon is so critical in a successful outcome. I know it is hard to do this because all these specialist are the best, right? That is why I went to people in the industry to find out, i was lucky to know some people who knew some people...kind of thing.
Yes, it did cost me approximately $12,000 out of pocket to get it all accomplished, but for me, it has been worth it and I would do it all the same way in a do-over.
I have very high myopia too. If I were you I wouldn't go in for a surgery because even though you might not need to wear glasses anymore, it won't change the fact you have still high myopia. You should research more on the possible side effect of those surgery too.
Help bump...need more feedback have my doc appt on Friday when I have to decide. Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I do not like multifocal IOLs. Use the search function for discussion about Restor, Rezoom, Crystalens, etc.
Dr. O.
Dr. O.
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