[logdog]

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

[Altavia]

I went with multifocal and laser assisted surgery 8 yrs ago with great results.

Never realized how's much color vision was lost, it was like wearing brown sunglasses prior to the surgery.

Right eye is tuned for mid to distance vision.

Left eye is mid to near vision.

One artifact for the lenses I have is at night, incadesent lights have a halo and led lights have "rings" (fresnel lens affect).

They now have Accommodative lenses that move or change shape inside your eye, allowing focusing at different distances.that you may want to discuss with your doctor.

IOL Implants: Lens Replacement After Cataracts - American Academy of Ophthalmology


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[Keefelane66]

Friends we have that went with multifocal still need reading glasses. Some of the spouses went with standard replacement and are satisfied with vision improvement.

[villagetinker]

I also used St. Lukes and asked about various lens options. In my case it was a nonstarter, I need a prism and I have astigmatism so none of the higher cost lens were suitable. I got the standard lens, corrected for distance, and I use glasses for reading as well as the previous mentioned corrections. I will note that I have worn glasses since age 11, so continuing the need for glasses was not a concern.
St. Lukes did a fantastic job, 2+ years, and I still have 20/20 vision without my glasses for distance (I do see 2 of things due to the lack of a prism), buy very happy with the results.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by logdog

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?

I have a multi-focal and paid $6000 in Boston.

I'd never do it again and won't do it for the other eye. As someone else mentioned, they're prone to "halos" when driving, particular at night. I was better driving with the cataract, than with my new $6000 lens.

I got a medium/distance lens. Distance is a joke. I can't see any further, than I could before the lens replacement. I know, because I can still out hit my vision at the golf course.


Some people love them, I'm sure ... I probably wouldn't get one again, even if it was free.

(Oh, & mine had to lasered twice, after installation.)

[dadspet]

Not sure if multivision that you're talking about is the same as monovision. At St Luke I had my eyes done in mono vision which is one eye for far and one eye for close. It was and remains great I have zero complaints. You're a really time I wear glasses are sunglasses with my close eye corrected to far vision since I'm outdoors driving or golfing or something like that. I can't remember for sure but I don't think this really cost anything or if it was it was not really expensive.

[Topspinmo]

I had at Luke’s do my eyes, I couldn’t have multi focus lenses do to left facial nerve weakness left eye little watering and little droop on my left side of my face, only noticeable it look close. Good thing no wrinkles on left side. , from AN ( acoustic neuroma) tumor removal. Quite happy with results and have to use reading glasses but I got rid of prescription glasses which was big relief for me. I hated wearing glasses all time. Now I can see vibrant colors where before dark green, blues and blacks all look same on pool table. Best procedure I ever had done for me.

P.S. sometimes floaters will pop up. Make you think you see tiny bug floating around of tiny bubble, they can zap them in about 4 mins in chair hour getting there. When I had mine done probably 7 years ago wasn’t bad getting appointments. Now around here they added thousands to system. Appointments are tight now.

[lkagele]

4 years into my procedures on both eyes. I went with the best lens available. I'm glad I spent the extra money. Folks I talk to that didn't go the Cadillac route regret not doing so. If you can afford it, go with the best.

Cost has gone up since I had it done but still worth it, IMO. It's a biiiig improvement on your quality of life. No more cheaters. Colors more vibrant. Actually see a golf ball on the green at 150 yds+. Read a menu and the bill without cheaters. Read street signs before you miss your turn. I could go on but you probably get the drift.

[GoRedSox!]

I had cataracts at a relatively young age. I had my right eye done at age 40 and my left at age 43. I received standard IOL, if there were more choices back then (2000 and 2003), I was not made aware of them. My ophthalmologist asked me if I wanted to be able to see for distance or up close. Seeing for distance was a no-brainer for me, as I was always extremely near-sighted. -8.5 in the right eye and -8.0 in the left eye. The IOL with my prescription has allowed me to see for distance for the last 20 years with no correction and I can still see 20/20. I now have to wear readers +2.5 for everything up close. It was well worth it for me, by this time I would have been using bifocals and now just carry a pair of readers with me wherever I go. The main thing is I can see for distance, something I could not do without thick glasses or contact lenses before the surgery.

[MikeN]

I went with what my insurance covered and just use cheap readers when I need them. Don’t fall for a $8,000 bill

[Annie66]

Both my bride and I had cataract surgery at Lake Eye. Excellent care was afforded by their surgeon (Dr. Vinay Gutti) and his staff. We opted to use the standard lens. The minimal cost of reading glasses overrode the cost of the special lens, which 2 years ago was about $2500 per eye. Unless you are uncomfortable wearing glasses to read, using the standard lens is the way to go in our opinion.

[Foxmd]

I got those lenses and believe it is worth it. I see near and distance without glasses. Fine print requires reading glasses but that was true before lens replacement.

[Dkintzer]

First let me say, as someone who is legally blind in 1 eye…& who always had perfect vision…the $ you spend on your sight is more valuable than any “stuff” you spend $ on otherwise. I couldn’t get the multi focal lenses because of retina issues but my husband had it done a couple years ago with the newer trifocal lenses & WOW! He has no problem with near, middle or distance visions. Hope this helps. Good luck & good vision to you!🤓

[Joanne and Mike]

My husband and I each got multi-focal lenses at St. Lukes several years ago and we are both very happy. Well worth the additional cost. Before, my husband wore glasses all the time and now only for reading. I only need glasses to read fine print.

[RoseyRed]

Yes my husband recently had this surgery here in NC. It was $2250 per eye out of pocket for the Lense. Keep in mind he elected to have the higher end lenses implanted due to wearing glasses most of his life. He found the standard cataract surgery was covered by medicare but lense was out of pocket. No regrets! He is thrilled he no longer has to wear any glasses (no readers either) good luck!

Originally Posted by logdog

I had an evaluation yesterday at St Luke's to discuss cataract surgery options. While the basic lenses are covered by insurance, multi focal lenses are an out of pocket expense. I knew this going in but was surprised that the cost would be $4,000 per eye... much higher than I had anticipated. Also, I was told that I would lose some of my near vision in exchange for getting some distance focus if I went that route.

Has anyone had the multi focal done recently and would care to share cost and experience? Any regrets?