Multifocal lens implant
 

With Laser assisted cataract surgery, Happy with results?

Yes, very happy still 5 yrs later.

Have a distance lens in one eye and near in the other. No need for glasses.

Is that the same as a multifocal lens? I thought a multifocal lens allows you see to near and far with the same lens.

I had the same procedure (Crystalens)15 years ago and still very happy with it. One issue I had early on after the surgery, was the glare from approaching headlights; especially when the hi beams were on. Surgery performed at Tufts New England Medical by Dr. Helen Wu.

Not the same- near in one eye and distance in the other is called Monovision-
Multifocal lenses are placed in both eyes-essentially far/imtermediate/near in each lens in each eye

Very satisfied. Dr. Baumann of Mid-Florida Eye performed my surgery this summer. I was given a prescription for reading glasses if it turned out that I still needed them but I don't. I can see near and far without glasses. You should know that Medicare does not pay for lens implants. You must pay. Mine was in excess of $6,500.

Thrilled. Perfect vision, no more glasses.

Do You have the multifocal?

I think Medicare will pay for the fixed vision lenses, but not for the multifocal type.

Lens implant
 

Medicare pays for the standard lens implant. Medicare does not pay for some of the higher tech implants.

I have multi-focal - my prescription was optimized for mid-far in one eye and a near-mid in the other for very close work.

Correct. Had it done on first eye today Dr Chase at Mid Florida eye and so far so good.

Life-changing.

My spouse (age 72 ) had multi-focal lens cataract surgery a few months ago. Ecstatic and still consciously thankful every day for the results - lifetime nearsightedness as well as later-in-life cataract issues immediately replaced with 20-25 vision, can now upon awakening each day easily read small print close-up and closed-captioned TV print across the room (as well as drive) with no more need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The rewards are, as they say, "PRICELESS!!!" Yes it's true that the "multi-focal" lenses are not covered by insurance, but more than worth it - IF you have (or can get hold) of the $$, there isn't much else you could invest in that would instantly and consistently improve your quality of life.

Unlike my spouse, I am not eligible for the multi-focal lens cataract-surgery option because I had Radial Keratotomy eye surgery (precursor of Lasix) in the 1980s (I enjoyed the near-perfect results for years but am now developing cataracts). The eye docs tell me that the scar tissue from the RK incisions does not go away and prevents/complicates the ability to achieve good results with the multi-focal lens.

So I'm scheduled next week for the "mono-lens" option, for which I'm told best-case-scenario outcome will be decent "walking-around" and distance/driving vision with no eyeglasses, with the almost certain need for some at least some level of reader-type eyeglasses for reading.

If I could get the multi-focal lens cataract surgery, I would go for it in a heartbeat!

I was born with mono vision, had no idea until I had an eye exam in my 50s. So if I didn’t realize after 50 years my sight was rare, i would say mono vision works for me, without surgery

Done that!
 

You are correct that near and far are in the same lens. I had mine done 4 years ago with the "Symphony" lens here in Michigan. It cleared my issues but the doc told me that these types of lenses work better the more light that is present. I do have a special pair of glasses for low light times for driving. The new and improved lenses compensate for a lot of that from what I hear. Other posters are correct that Medicare DOES NOT pay for those lenses to take your wallet.

Boop
 

I have multi focal in left eye and clear in right eye. It took a couple of days to truly adjust but yes I don’t need glasses unless the print is very tiny and I love not having to wear glasses

They are not the same. I got the multifocal lens over 8 years ago and am quite pleased. After 50 years of bifocals then trifocals, I don't even need readers. Good Luck

Sorry I got multifocal
 

Was very nearsighted, so went for the more expensive multifocal lenses in each eye at cataract time. Overall vision went from 20/200 to 20/25 (instead of the hoped-for 20/20), and close-up vision remained blurred. An unpleasant side effect for me was concentric circles around lights - especially oncoming headlights at night.

I see great results from the OP, and I'm happy for them. Guess I got the short end of the odds, because I'm back in bifocals again. But with 20/20 vision and happy!

I was a little different. I had it done over 10 years ago and had the first ones called CrystalLens (the one Florence Henderson advertised on TV). I took advantage when I had cataracts and due to my age (51 at the time). Today I need glasses for distance and glasses for reading (both very light but still a pain). I can see perfect in between. With that in mind, I was nearly blind so I shouldn’t complain but I still do :-). The first few years I was 20/25 vision (lots of floaters and halos) as the years went by it changed. It was an adjustment and I do have permanent floaters. I recall it was very expensive. Today they have come a long way and my husband’s friend had it done last month and couldn’t be happier.Good luck!

I don’t need glass! The laser surgery was recommended with progress vision lenses that were implanted.

Halo with nighttime driving was an issue - seems to have reduced every year but still there

My wife says she would NEVER do it again. For what, just to avoid using readers?

I love my toric lens to see near and far. Paid $1500 total for both eyes in Il a couple of years ago. Get ready villagers as the Dr's here make lots of $$$ by charging you with $6000-7000 for same toric lens. Only one company makes these lens, Alcon, so the cost is the cost. My Il Dr's laugh and say they need to move to Fl!!!

Worth every penny!
 

My vision is 20/20 since I got my multifocal lens.

Had Standard Lens done by Dr. Armstrong, Ocala Eye, see great, don’t need glasses.

Both my wife and I are VERY happy with our multi focal lenses. Our procedures were performed by Dr. Zeini at Eyes of The Villages in Spanish Springs. He does not recommend the one eye for distance and the other near vision. Before the FDA approved the multi focal lenses this was the only option.

In my opinion, if you have the two different lenses option you could be in big trouble if you lost the sight in one eye. Don’t dismiss this risk; it happens more than you may think.

Sorry - have not had it done?? Thanks for asking!

Only time will tell
 

Had first multi-focal lens inserted 2 weeks ago in right eye. Not real happy. Everything within 3 feet is in focus, which means I can read and use the computer. Beyond that, everything is out of focus. At the doctor's suggestion, I put off the operation on the left eye to see if there is any improvement in the right eye. At $3300/eye, I hope it improves.

Not the same topic; however, the change in colors I see with the right eye is dramatic. Whites are really white and reds are brilliant. With the left eye, whites are beige and colors are dull. During a recent remodel of our house, my wife and I argued over colors of paint, tile, and furnishings. After the operation on the right eye, I have to admit she was right.

My wife had mono-vision (one eye long, the other short) done 5 years ago. Additional cost was $1250/eye. She is very happy with the results, although she recently started using glasses to watch TV and to read.

I had a cataract surgery with extended depth Eyhance lenses at Lake Eye 4 months ago - I couldn’t have multi focal lenses because of severe myopia. My vision in both eyes is 20/25 now. I need readers to read, use computer, cook etc, but I don’t need glasses to drive, play golf, Pickleball etc. My distance vision is ok but not perfect. Not particularly thrilled with the results but not unhappy either. I think the procedure is overpriced. I paid $8000 for both eyes… there was little transparency from the Lake Eye when it comes to pricing. They overcharged me about $2000 and I’m still trying to get it back.

Google
Dr. Gulani in Jacksonville specializes in cataract surgery for RK patients. Not cheap.
Not easy. However, my wife, had an extremely difficult case due to the number of RK cuts from her surgery. The results were spectacular for about 12 years. She is now not seeing well out of one eye. We will be going back to Dr. Gulani. We don’t trust her vision to anyone else.

They have made this surgery into an assembly line. My surgeon had 32 cases last Thursday and happy I was #11 and not 32nd.

So far results are good but still healing. Followup by Mid Florida has been excellent.

I believe the amount you pay depends on the Medicare plan you have. If you do not have a lot of health issues or take a lot of meds, Advantage plans can be great. Medicare (UHC advantage plan HMO plan 2) paid for both my cataract surgeries this year. I paid a copay of $150 or $200 for each eye to the facility, not the doctor. I forget the payment amount bcs it was so low.

My left eye is very compromised so mono vision could not work. Both eyes are set for far and I can see far very well now. I should need an Rx for reading but I can read fine without glasses or contact lenses. Sometimes I can not see the very teeny tiny print on labels but I have a magnifier necklace for those rare occasions.

My excellent eye doctor/surgeon told me multifocal lenses are not yet perfected. Bifocal glasses have a horizontal Rx however in interocular lenses the Rx is circular instead of horizontal causing light distortions such as glares / flashing lights.

Had both eyes done back in May with the very expensive multi focal lens and have had issues with my right eye. Now seeing a retnal specialist. Need readers when reading a book, newspaper and any other small and need to have bright light to read. Still doing the drops 4x a day. So not real happy with the results. Hopefully it will all improve with time.

Yellow lens glasses help a lot with night vision and headlight glare. I had both eye cataract surgery two years ago.