**** I am having cataract surgery and am considering a multi focus IOL but have early AMD and mild astigmatism. I have had the surgery on the first eye and had a distance only lens implanted. I can now see 20/20 with this eye and would like to be able to be glasses free except for extensive reading. I would not go for the multi focal lens if it might aggravate my AMD. Does anyone have any information about this?
You may want to have a read of this article. Search for the complete title with google.
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“AAO Macular Degeneration and Cataract Surgery: Are They Compatible?”
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From what I can see if you have mild AMD and most of your vision loss is from the cataract, your vision is likely to improve. There is apparently no evidence that cataract surgery can aggravate the AMD if it is of the dry type. If it is the wet type, then the jury is still out… I don’t know the intricate difference between the two types other than the dry form is most common. Your surgeon or optometrist should be able to tell you what type you have.
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On the IOL type it is best to discuss it with your surgeon. I did note that close reading vision may not be possible with AMD, so it may be a waste of money to consider a MF IOL. Another option could be to get a standard monofocal and have the power set so it allows reading. But on the other hand, it may be more practical to get it set for distance too, and just count on reading glasses or progressives to get the reading vision. Your optometrist should be able to give you some idea what your potential for reading is.
Thanks for your input. I saw my opthalmologist today. He suggested a vivity with limbic relaxation or a Toric. I would be able to see distance and intermediate. Tomorrow I have to have my astigmatism measured again as I’ve had two different measurements. My doctor would not do limbic relaxation if my astigmatism is greater than 1.75 diopters as he doesnt like to cut that deep. So if I do I quess I will get the Toric. All very nervewracking.
I believe the Vivity is available as a toric. Or is the surgeon saying it is not?