feedback from IOL patients

[j_rod]

Ever since I can remember, I've had severe myopia -17.25 and astigmatismin -3.75 one eye. Until now, I've corrected it with a rigid contact lens. Now, at age 31, I've developed a cataract in that eye and need to replace the natural lens. My doctor recommends the Acrysof Toric IOL to get rid of most of the astigmatism and myopia, then follow it up with laser surgery to bring it as close to 20/20 as possible.

My dilemna is that I have to choose between distance and near vision since the toric IOL is monofocal. I work on the computer most of the day, but am an avid hunter outside of work. If I go with near, I'll have to wear glasses or re-learn shooting firearms and bow with my other eye. If I go with far, I'm not sure what my intermediate or near would be like without using some form of reading glasses. Driving is also on my mind since depth perception is nice to have.

For those of you who have had one or more monofocal IOLs inserted, did you go with near or far, what made you choose that direction, and are you happy with it now? How has it negatively affected your life?

My surgery is January 9th, and I'd love to hear back others' experiences to help me decide which route to go. It's a tough decision and I really can't say I'm leaning one way or the other right now....

Thanks!

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

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[JodieJ]

Yes, developing cataracts can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.  Best wishes--and keep us posted.

[j_rod]

My left eye shows no sign of cataract yet, but is quite nearsighted as well (-8.00). They've already scheduled me in on the 24th (2 weeks later) to do a laser "touch up" my right eye after the IOL implant to get my distance vision as good as possible. They're also going to fix my left eye with the laser on the same day.

I'm completely excited about the whole thing, even though I know I will lose near vision in my right eye. The thought of possibly not needing glasses or contacts after this is amazing.

[JodieJ]

I just re-read your initial post and realized that you will only be having surgery in one eye.  (I had assumed it was both.)  Getting distance vision in that eye makes a lot of sense, since you will still have near vision in your other eye.  But will you be needing cataract surgery in your second eye any time soon?  And if not, is that eye also very nearsighted?  Having one eye plano and the other very nearsighted would probably mean that glasses would not work for you.  You would have to wear a contact lens all the time or have some time of refractive procedure on your second eye.    

[John C Hagan]

Good luck and good choice.

JCH III MD

[j_rod]

Thanks for both of your comments. I chose to go with distance vision knowing that I can use glasses for up close work afterwards. I'll definitely respond back with my results after surgery!

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

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[JodieJ]

If you correct both eyes for distance vision, you could always do monovision (or modified monovision) post-surgery with a contact lens in your nondominant eye.  (You could lose the contact for selected athletic activities.)  On the other hand, you could easily reverse unwanted surgical monovision with a contact lens or progressive glasses.  So you will really have a great deal of flexibility post-surgery.  The AcrySof toric IOL sounds like a great choice for you, and it will be great to be rid of your high myopia and astigmatism.   Best wishes for an excellent outcome.

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

If you will review the archives of these two eye forms that topic has been discussed many times. There are different answers for different poeople. There is not correct or right answer.

Many of the respondents go for the best possible distance vision in both eyes. Some go for distance in one eye mid range myopia in the other,  some go for about -2.50 myopia so they can read without glasses.

Your call but most of my athletes, hunters, fishermen, etc. chose best vision for distance.

JCH III MD