myopic with cataract

[26245]

I've been "growing" a cataract for over 10 years now and am getting more and more nearsighted by the hour. But my question - which no eye doctor cares to answer - is as follows: if a cataract is like a film that gradually makes my lenses denser and more and more opaque, and from a distance I can't see a thing, HOW COME I RETAIN perfect NEAR VISION? shouldn't this curtain-like disease affect both distance and near vision? I know that figuring this out has no practical value, but it's something that's been puzzling me and nobody even seems to understand my question. Thanks in advance for any explanation !

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

This is a very common scenario with what are called nuclear cataracts.  They decrease the quality of distance vision, while allowing fairly good near vision, because the nuclear cataract makes the eye more nearsighted (myopic).  This also happens in patients who were not myopic to start; myopic patients will become more myopic as the cataract progresses.  Certain cataracts (posterior subcapsular) can also greatly reduce near vision because of their location.  If you cataract is so dense that your distance is severely affected, I would discuss cataract surgery with your ophthalmologist.

[26245]

Thanks for reminding me that waiting too long is not an option... I know, but just the thought of something touching my eyes makes me shiver... anyway when the time comes I think I'll go for monovision too, it sounds safer and besides it's likely to be cheaper. See you on this forum x x x

[26245]

Thanks for your helpful comments. I realize one shouldn't wait too long and I'm getting close to that point, but I've always been very good at postponing, so we'll see. Best wishes (broadly speaking) from Spain !

[psuoh]

I chose monovision iol...i didnt believe the hype about multifocal or accomadating iol. I doudt anything man-made can replace what god has given us.

[psuoh]

I had cataract surgery few months ago. You barely feel any pain.  They numb your eyes such tbat you can barely move it.  Easiest way to describe it is as if they smeared think gel or vasline in your eye.  They administer local anesthisia so you are awake but dont feel anything.  All you see is blue lights and images of the tip of the surgical instrumrnt as doc does the surgery.    Overall it was a painless and very interesting experience.  

I was told by my doc that you can do the surgery anytime but sooner the better since cataracts hardens the lens and easier to remove when it is soft....best time would be like in my case when my best corrected vision was 20/400 WITH corrected lens!


Find a good experiened cataract surgeon and you will be fine.

[Anne102]

I am in the exact same situation as yourself. I have been getting  nearsighted over the past three years, and wear single vision glasses for driving and shopping in stores.

I have been trying to find out information about this condition online, but found out very little.  All I know that it is called Myopic Shift or Index Myopia.  The layman's term is Second Shift.

It is the beginning stage of cataracts, and as long as it can be corrected by glasses and a person can function OK you don't have to have a cataract operation.

It occurs because the lens grows and becomes thicker over the years and bends the light entering the eye in such a way to cause nearsightedness.

I have been told I have cataracts. The symptoms are a lot of glare and not seeing well in the dark. But other than that, I really like seeing well close up and also intermediate. I  prefer having to wear glasses for driving and avoid reading glasses.   I am afraid that if I had  surgery I would end up having to wear glasses all the time around the house .  Of course if eventually I can not drive safely during the day I would have  cataract surgery. Right now I can only be corrected  with glasses to 20/ 30 in one eye and 20 /25 in the other

Monovision sounds  like a great idea.

[26245]

Thanks for your explanation,  I still don't understand how a "clouded lens" can possibly cause such a lopsided damage, but at least now I've learned it's a recognized phenomenon (I did not dream it up) and probably the reasons why are beyond what a layman without an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the eye and cataract forms can hope to understand. As for seeing an eye doctor, I know I should go and have an operation sooner than later, but I'm too terrified so I'll postpone it for as long as I can. Thanks again for answering.