Unsure of second eye surgery

[mag1707]

Dear Dr J Hagan,
After cataract surgery of my right eye two months ago, the vision settled to -0.75. My left eye is -6.25 with anterior cortical cataract.I am wearing contact lens -5.50. I was schedule for left eye surgery but I postponed it  as I compared the vision through my right and left eye, the blurry vision through my left eye is not significant.I took yrour advice and sought a second opinion and I was advised too to undergo surgery as there is cataract in the left eye and the need for balance vision. I am in dilema as my right eye is due for YAG laser in the future because of growing capsule opacity, I am concern about complications after surgery of my left eye.  What should I do ? Listen to doctor's advice  or my instinct for I feel my cataract is not affecting my life even right from the begining.

[mag1707]

Thanks londonbridge
It is only one month plus that I started wearing contact lens, my left eye becomes red with clear blood vessels towards evening most of the days. I wonder how long I can cope with it. Is there a certain brand of contact lens  that help to prolong the duration of wearing the contact lens? Appreciate your sharing.

[mag1707]

Dear Dr Kutryb
Thanks very much for the assurance. Please give me advice on the power of the IOL lens for my left eye when I am ready for it. I do not mind to lose of some distant vision but able to read books, mobile phone and medium prints of labels of goods on shelves. The followings are my conditions:
Right eye after cataract surgery:- Sphere (-0.75) Cylinder (-0.25) Axis 145
Left eye with cortical cataract: Shpere (-6.25) Cylinder (-1.25) Axis (178)
Presently, even with contact lens (-5.50 -0.75 180) on left eye for distant or -3.75 -1.25 180 for near, it helps mainly in focusing. The right eye seems to take over. Is there a better prescription for my contact lens ?
The IOL lens for my right eye is B & L Akreous M160 +15. Is it a good and reliable lens ?
Your valuable advice is very much appreciated.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You can wear a contact in the left eye if you want so I have no problem with that.  The time to have cataract surgery is when you the contact doesn't make your vsion good enough for your lifestyle OR when you cannot tolerate the contact lens.  Also, I'm not understanding what was so terrible about your right eye.  I think it must be that you are disappointed in the distance vision a little.   Later if you have the other eye corrected closer to plano (hopefully) then I think it would all work out well for you.  I think you just need a good trustworthy surgeon that you can talk to to set you mind at ease and give you some good advice as to when to have the second eye done.  I wonder if you might have lost confidence in the first surgeon although I  don't think you did that badly.  Regarding the yag laser for the right eye you can have that whenever it is deemed necessary.  Very quick and easy and extremely high succes rate.  Very, very high safety record.  Not really something to have concern about.

[londonbridge]

Hi As I have mentioned I have one IOL and one contact for the last year and one half for essentially the same reason as you and I am doing fine this way although there are some trade offs with regard to balanced vision without my contact. If you are satisfied with your IOL eye than the Yag shoud pose no problem and is a simple procedure. I don't see why the urgency for the second surgery. It seems that it is totally a matter of your choice and what you feel comfortable with. It could always be done down the road when you feel ready. That is where i am at currently.
Hope this helps.
londonbridge