monofocal vs multifocal lens

[Dlandgren]

I have a cataract in my left eye and blind in the right eye. What would be best replacement lens monofocal or multifocal lens for my left eye?

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

Henryjones 1325

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/841991/Consider-ALL-the-Options-Before-Your-Cataract-Surgery-Working-Through-Whats-Best-For-You

[Henryjones1325]

Lerbea                                                                             2 May 2014
     You are right on to question the multifocal lens. I had a Restor multifocal lens implanted after reading their hype. It has been a disaster. Now after getting a second opinion at Stanford I find that it has to be removed and replaced with a mono focal lens.
     In addition the doctor and hospital used outrageous pricing. The Doctor required up front payment of over $2055 and the hospital required an extra out of pocket of almost $800. Medicare did not cover the multifocal lens but my supplement paid the hospital $2300 for the lens.
     The hospital now says the $800 was because medicare does not cover it and that is what they charge as it is the actual cost of the lens. When I asked about the $2300 lens charge on the bill they said this is what we charge when covered by insurance. When I asked for a refund they said no as they had adjusted other things in the bill that were reduced to the amount medicare would pay.
     The doctor says the $2055 extra was a package deal and to cover problems after the surgery as I would need follow up and would cover lasik?
     Net result is huge expense to redo what never should have been done in the first place and a loss of $2800.00 out of pocket and no one seems to think anything is wrong with this as it happens so often. Whatever you do stay away from using a multi focal lens.

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

You may get better with time; but you may not either. The tecnis multifocal is a very good IOL.  You may need to resign yourself to wearing glasses for some things such as night driving, sporting events, prolonged computer work, etc.

If you see no improvement in 6-8 weeks consider a second opinion.

JCH MD

[Road_Glide_Steve]

My eye doctor recommend the technis multifocal lens I just had the second eye done two days ago and I'm disappointed with the results. I basically have no intermediate vision and I can see near and far but everything has a surreal look and I seem to need more light to see clearly. Will this improve with time?  Also it is hard to drive at night. I keep wanting to put my glasses back on so I can see better (I was near sighted). Did I make a big mistake?

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

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[Lerbea]

A good many of the patients on this forum suggest one be leary of the multifocal IOL's. I am one of them.  Many problems are being reported but unfortunately not much publically is found.  Do your research for back references on the outcomes here.

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

Increase complication rate, increased costs, poorer quality night vision, more optical abberations, greater risk of having to have the IOL removed.

JCH MD

[stutk]

I am a one eyed cataract patient...could you explain the reasons why you would never recommend a multifocal IOL?

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

In a one eyed patient I would NEVER recommend a multifocal IOL, NEVER

JCH MD