cataract surgery options

[fuzzyeyeballs]

Anybody have experience with cataract surgery using a premium replacement lens instead of the standard single vision lens? I'm trying to decide between the "multifocal" type lens or the "accommodating" type lens. From what I've read and been told, the multifocal works fine but can give halos around bright lights at night. While the accommodating, trade name "Crystalens", more actually mimics a human lens and does not suffer from halos but for some the results have not been totally clear vision. So both have issues and I'm trying to navigate this minefield and make the right choice. Thanks in advance for any information.

[CFrance]

I chose the non-bifocal lens because three people I know got them and wish they hadn't--have to have good light in order to read close up, and that doesn't work in places like restaurants and church. They still have to wear reading glasses in many situations. These three people had them done in Michigan, but not by the same surgeon, and I don't know if they are the same brand. Also, this was five years ago. Improvements may have been made by now.

My "normal" lens (done also in MI, 2012--no correction) are crystal clear. I still have to wear glasses or contacts for distance but have no trouble reading things up close.

[Chatbrat]

If you can get used to the multifocal lens--go for it-I'm having cataract surgery in the next 2 weeks, will be going with laser surgery & using a propritory lens add cost approx 2k per eye above my insurance-(Medicare & Tricare)

Using Dr. Ireland @ St. Lukes

[Bjeanj]

For years, I did "mono vision" contacts; my left contact was for reading and my right one was for distance. When I had cataract surgery, I asked the doctor to give me mono vision lenses. Has worked out great. Same thing, just no contacts. Not everyone can get used to doing this but if you can you don't have to worry about reading glasses or deciding whether to choose a bi-focal lens.

[KayakerNC]

I went with Trulign, which is the toric version of the Crystalens.
Had my surgery last September, and my vision is GREAT at all distances (close, intermediate, & distant)!
I had the laser assisted surgery and the Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA) System. Our of pocket was about $2250 for each eye.
If I'm reading a lot in the evening, I will sometimes use 1.25 readers, but normally I don't even carry reading glasses anymore.
Everyone's eyes are different, but for me the Crystalens worked well.
I went to 2 different surgeons (1st & 2nd opinion) and both said they would no longer recommend any multifocal lens due to problems their patients had had.

[JoMar]

Had the surgery done within the last month, did not go with multi-focal for all the reasons stated. The surgeon (Dr. Scott Holman) reshaped the right eye cornea and was able to use a standard lens, the left eye has a toric lens (got to love astigmatism) and while I am two weeks post surgery, no readers. Left eye is near, right eye is far and as soon as my brain figures all that out (every day is better) my expectations is no readers except for very fine print. Menus, newspapers and magazines are no issue at this time. Two more weeks of eye drops and counting.

[Cateca]

I have been really, really pleased with my multi-focal or tri-focal (close, mid range and far) lenses. The halo effect at night is minimal and more than manageable. True, the lenses were not covered by Medicare, but not having to wear glasses, as I Had since age 7, is such a priceless bonus!! Surgery 3 years ago by Dr. Latiff Hamed in Ocala. And since then, I have had zero problems.

[KayakerNC]

I have been really, really pleased with my multi-focal or tri-focal (close, mid range and far) lenses. The halo effect at night is minimal and more than manageable. True, the lenses were not covered by Medicare, but not having to wear glasses, as I Had since age 7, is such a priceless bonus!! Surgery 3 years ago by Dr. Latiff Hamed in Ocala. And since then, I have had zero problems.

The trifocal lenses, AT LISA and FineVision, while available in Europe are not available in the US....yet.

[PaPaLarry]

I went for the distance lens only (so I can see where the golf ball goes) and I'm very happy. I don't mind using reading glasses when reading. Very happy with the surgery. Wish I had done it sooner. Had it done at Lake Eye, Dr Whirly

[Biker Dog]

St Luke's>>> Dr Kimberly Ireland>>>>Laser, left eye distance, right eye reading>>>> 6 weeks ago and I am more than pleased with the results>>>> No need for eyeglasses ever again.

[Barefoot]

Has anyone experienced Posterior Capsule Opacification after cataract surgery?
Apparently it occurs 20% of the time and can be easily corrected by painless YAG Laser Capsulotomy. I hope that's true.
Has anyone experienced PCO?

[CFrance]

Has anyone experienced Posterior Capsule Opacification after cataract surgery?
Apparently it occurs 20% of the time and can be easily corrected by painless YAG Laser Capsulotomy. I hope that's true.
Has anyone experienced PCO?
Please tell us what the symptoms are, Bear.

[KayakerNC]

Has anyone experienced Posterior Capsule Opacification after cataract surgery?
Apparently it occurs 20% of the time and can be easily corrected by painless YAG Laser Capsulotomy. I hope that's true.
Has anyone experienced PCO?
I had my YAG done (both eyes) 6 months ago. My understanding is that B&L thinks it is better to do the YAG sooner, to avoid acoustic shock wave and thermal conduction which can damage an IOL.
Diluting drops for the YAG procedure, which is done in a small room. Looks like 4 red lights in a small square, clicking noise as the laser does its' job. The clicks come from the machine but felt like they were echoing from the back of my skull. No pain at all, about 20-30 seconds for each eye. Dark glasses needed for the drive home.
No follow up meds are required. Noticed some new floaters towards the bottom of the left eye, but they were gone in a few hours.
Piece of cake. :coolsmiley:

[KayakerNC]

Please tell us what the symptoms are, Bear.

After cataract surgery, cells can build up behind the IOL, causing cloudy vision, sometimes called a secondary cataract, which can be easily fixed with a YAG laser making an opening behind the lens.

[leftyf]

My wife had the multi -focal lenses put in at her cataract surgery April and she has the vision of an 18 year old. She had her's done at Mid-Florida Eye Center by Dr Charles. She says she would recommend him and the lenses to anybody. We did have to pay extra above and beyond the Blue Cross and Medicare.

[Barefoot]

I had my YAG done (both eyes) 6 months ago. My understanding is that B&L thinks it is better to do the YAG sooner, to avoid acoustic shock wave and thermal conduction which can damage an IOL.
Diluting drops for the YAG procedure, which is done in a small room. Looks like 4 red lights in a small square, clicking noise as the laser does its' job. The clicks come from the machine but felt like they were echoing from the back of my skull. No pain at all, about 20-30 seconds for each eye. Dark glasses needed for the drive home.
No follow up meds are required. Noticed some new floaters towards the bottom of the left eye, but they were gone in a few hours.
Piece of cake. :coolsmiley:

After cataract surgery, cells can build up behind the IOL, causing cloudy vision, sometimes called a secondary cataract, which can be easily fixed with a YAG laser making an opening behind the lens.

Thanks Kayaker, you are very knowledgeable. I gather you had it done as a preventative.
I thought my vision was fine after my cataract surgery on eye #1 in September 2014.
But recently my Opthamologist dilated my eyes and said I need laser surgery on my operated eye.
I'm very relieved to hear it is quick and painless.
I have laser surgery scheduled for the first week in July, and cataract surgery on my second eye scheduled for the following week.
Not as scary to have cataract surgery the second time around.

[KayakerNC]

Thanks Kayaker, you are very knowledgeable. I gather you had it done as a preventative.
I thought my vision was fine after my cataract surgery on eye #1 in September 2014.
But recently my Opthamologist dilated my eyes and said I need laser surgery on my operated eye.
I'm very relieved to hear it is quick and painless.
I have laser surgery scheduled for the first week in July, and cataract surgery on my second eye scheduled for the following week.
Not as scary to have cataract surgery the second time around.

Nothing to it, really.
Tuesday was my 6 month visit (9 mo from surgery, 6 mo from YAG).
Everything is going well, surgeon says "boring, but boring is good!".
Pressure 12 and 14. Muscles are working well, and have good accommodation working with the Crystalens Truliign hinges. After reading or playing on the laptop, looking in the distance is not as sharp immediately, but clears in a minute or two. Surgeon says this is normal.
Distance is 20/20, reading is great. Near, far, and in-between is all good.
Next visit scheduled 1 year from now.
Even the dents in the side of my head from 30 plus years of glasses are filling in.
No glares, no halos, no complaints. Love it!!!!

[PaPaLarry]

Also had mine done a Lake Eye. Dr Whirly did a great job. I chose to have the lens for long distance, and am pleased to use reading glasses for reading. How ever you do it, you will be happier after.

[billethkid]

St Luke's>>> Dr Kimberly Ireland>>>>Laser, left eye distance, right eye reading>>>> 6 weeks ago and I am more than pleased with the results>>>> No need for eyeglasses ever again.

Ditto above. Mono with no need for glasses. Ireland is 5 star!!!

[Living a Fantasy]

Dr. Charles did mine for distance lens. I played softball two days later. I regard it as a medical miracle. My golf friends now ask me "Where is the ball?" "Did you see it?"

Before cataract surgery I used to ask them those questions.

My wife is ready for her surgery and saw Dr. Charles yesterday. I did notice their posting at the surgery center in Summerfield at Mid Florida Eye that their organization was the first in The Villages and they have done over 115,000. Dr. Charles has degrees from Duke and USC.

[Barefoot]

Even the dents in the side of my head from 30 plus years of glasses are filling in.
Your dents are filling in, that is so cute! :icon_wink:
One of the few medical benefits of growing older ---- cataract surgery and no more glasses! :coolsmiley:

[Mikeod]

Brought back a funny memory. The mother of a friend asked my opinion before starting a malpractice action against her cataract surgeon. She was convinced he had created wrinkles on her face because she didn't remember seeing them before the surgery. The lady had advanced cataracts in both eyes and had delayed surgery out of concern about someone operating on her eyes.

How do you diplomatically explain to her that her face was already wrinkled before the surgery?

[Barefoot]

Brought back a funny memory. The mother of a friend asked my opinion before starting a malpractice action against her cataract surgeon. She was convinced he had created wrinkles on her face because she didn't remember seeing them before the surgery.

That is funny! My friend who just had cataract surgery says that now his friends look really old and wrinkly to him. Perhaps oldsters were given cataracts to soften our view of the world and our friends!

[KayakerNC]

That is funny! My friend who just had cataract surgery says that now his friends look really old and wrinkly to him. Perhaps oldsters were given cataracts to soften our view of the world and our friends!
"Surgery was quick, easy, painless, and the instant change was amazing; it was like day and night," said Andrews. Maybe too amazing for Andrews, who jokes about the chores she can now see all too clearly. "I saw all the spider webs in my house and all the dust. No more excuses."
Cataract surgery gives a new way of seeing the world | abc30.com (http://abc30.com/health/cataract-surgery-gives-new-way-of-seeing-world/806207/)

[hulahips]

Anybody have experience with cataract surgery using a premium replacement lens instead of the standard single vision lens? I'm trying to decide between the "multifocal" type lens or the "accommodating" type lens. From what I've read and been told, the multifocal works fine but can give halos around bright lights at night. While the accommodating, trade name "Crystalens", more actually mimics a human lens and does not suffer from halos but for some the results have not been totally clear vision. So both have issues and I'm trying to navigate this minefield and make the right choice. Thanks in advance for any information.

All I can advise is I had the surgery few yrs ago with standard lens. At first my vision was so much clearer, but now seems to be fuzzier. That being said, I do have other eye problems