Cataract surgery, IOL lens options and your age

[SimonaStefano]

For some reason it does not let me post the link. If you search for model number ZXR00 multi focal IOL one of the results is a report in PDF published on FDA.gov and it is really good.

 

[SimonaStefano]

The other two things I learned is that as of couple years ago if you have astigmatism it will not limit your choice for multi focal lens. Second thing is that if you had LAZIK done it will complicate the calculations and measurements for cataract replacement IOLs, it becomes art

 

[kevinbricker]

Hello, this is the only forum I found with truly shared experiences from cataract surgery. I’m also huge Disney fan, so that must be fun. I’m 49 and two months ago the ophthalmologist told me I need to plan for cataract surgery in near future. I was so shocked by the news and when the doctor asked if I have questions I could not think straight. So, I did not ask anything. Now, I started to look into it and have so many questions... I would like to ask for your recent experience, choice of IOL lens and approximate age. Why I’m asking for age... I still don’ have presbyopia, I have myopia in power of 6 with mild astigmatism. I beleive my eyes would change and I would need reading glasses. How the doctor would determine what IOL lens to place , so I can be good for the next 10-20 -30 years? My understanding is that these IOL lens are for life. I still have good 10-15 years of work, I hope for less, but having kids lately in life moved the retirement for me so, for me to loose intermediate vision, or distance vision will not be desirable. My glasses/ contacts are monofocal at the moment and even though I’m severely nearsighted I can see close, intermediate and distance. I’ m willing to loose close distance and start using reading glasses, but how I would know this can be solved. In 2016 FDA approved Depth of focus IOL lens, I was wondering if anyone have any experience with these type of lens too?

I could suggest you get on with an alternative treatment option. Even getting on with glasses and lenses, in general, is difficult to cope up with every day. I myself found it really hard to go through with it, which was the reason I decided to have a life with no glasses. I started wearing them when I was 12 and wore them for almost another 12 years and didn't make much of a difference. That is why I decided to go through the lasik eye procedure to get my vision perfect. Although it was kind of rough after the procedure, but later on after a month or two, it was back to normal and I didn't have to wear the so called annoying glasses anymore.

 

[longboard55]

I got crystal lens both eyes at about age 63. Huge game changer, I can not read anything close like within 12", but computer and distance are glasses free. It was pretty bad before the surgery, glasses all the time. I originally wanted the symfony lens but the doctor pushed for the crystal lens

 

[Lewisc]

Your first step is to pick the right doctor. You want one that has a lot of experience. Listen to his suggestions. Think about it. We can use google. We can check the fda website. Do you want a doctor who needs our suggestion as to what IOL is appropriate?

The big questions. Some people go with "monovision" One eye is corrected for near and the other for far. The brain magically combines them. Some people love it others have issues. Some doctors will give you contacts for a month to make sure you can go with it.

Some people can use multi-focal IOL, sort of like bifocals. Some people, some prescriptions, don't do well.

Your second step is to decide if you're will to pay for an upgrade if it will eliminate your need for glasses, or at least need weaker glasses. Toric IOL and multifocal are frequently not covered by insurance. You're responsible for an upgrade fee.

Some doctors use a laser instead of a scalpel. Generally not covered by insurance, an upcharge. Faster recovery. Some cases may be overkill.

A poster mentioned dropless. Typically you start putting drops in your eyes 1-3 days before surgery. You might be using 3 different medications and one might be used for a month. Others a week or two. Dropless means the doctor puts long lasting stuff in your eye during surgery. I don't think it's better, just more convenient. Medicare covered one of the "dropless" medications so I only needed 2 different kinds of drops. Different doctors use different drops. Check your insurance. Sometimes a drug isn't covered by your insurance and is $$$ but an equivalent drug is. Manufacturers have coupons which can be used to reduce your copay or give you a discount if you don't have insurance (or it isn't covered). Goodrx doesn't pick them up. Check the manufacturers website or google the name of the drug. Some pharmacists will do it for you most won't. I'm talking about paying $30-$60 instead of hundreds.

 

[SimonaStefano]

I could suggest you get on with an alternative treatment option. Even getting on with glasses and lenses, in general, is difficult to cope up with every day. I myself found it really hard to go through with it, which was the reason I decided to have a life with no glasses. I started wearing them when I was 12 and wore them for almost another 12 years and didn't make much of a difference. That is why I decided to go through the lasik eye procedure to get my vision perfect. Although it was kind of rough after the procedure, but later on after a month or two, it was back to normal and I didn't have to wear the so called annoying glasses anymore.

Lazik is not alternative option. Lazik will not eliminate cataract.

 

[SimonaStefano]

LewisC, you were 100% correct! I went thru very similar steps and experience. Ended up with multi focal IOL and for the first time in my life I have no glasses!!!

 

[dapperdan7]

i thought edof and multifocal were completely different lens types. i believe edof is a single vision lens. can you clarify? thank you

 

[dapperdan7]

I got crystal lens both eyes at about age 63. Huge game changer, I can not read anything close like within 12", but computer and distance are glasses free. It was pretty bad before the surgery, glasses all the time. I originally wanted the symfony lens but the doctor pushed for the crystal lens

is that a multifocal, single vision or accomodative lens?thank you

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

You guys are all confusing me . I need to ask my doctor what kind of lenses I have now . I got cataract surgery about 3 years ago . I was only 50 at the time . I have an autoimmune which causes inflammation in my eyes . I got glaucoma very early and always had a high prescription. I could barely see before the surgery. The surgery itself was a piece of cake . Now I have multi focal glasses but a very low prescription. They asked if I wanted the lenses where they are different in each eye but when you have poor vision your whole life it’s not worth the risk for me .