My opthalmologist originally told me that the power difference between my eyes after cataract surgery would be about .50 . However, the IOL power on the cards I was given after surgery are 14.5 D in dominant eye and 15.5 D in non dominant eye. This seems to me like a difference of 1.0. I have read that a difference larger than 0.75 is hard for the brain to adjust to. Am I correct that the difference between my eyes is 1.0?
Hi Barbara:)
The numbers on the lenses put in your eye are related to the actual physical dimensions of various parts of your eye, as well as the desired vision outcome. So I don’t think you can translate them into the diopters of difference between the eyes.
Also, I think the info you have on a limitation of .75 diopter difference is a bit restrictive. Others on this forum seem to have done well with 1 diopter difference or more.
In my own case, there is a 2 diopter difference in the IOLs, but that’s not the end result in my vision. I remember that the axial length of my eyes were significantly different and that plays a art in the doctors calculation of the correct lens for your desired outcome.
I just had my 2nd eye surgery 10 days ago so don’t know the final result yet, as the eye is still very much in the healing stage. But I’m sure it’s not 2 diopters difference. I go to the doctor today for 2nd post-op exam and will start to get an idea of the numbers.
Your doctor can measure the difference between your eyes with an auto-refractor for an objective measurement and then with the usual refractive eye exam where you tell your subjective vision result. If your surgery was very recent, then I would wait before getting concerned about numbers at all.
The important thing is how are seeing now?
Hi Seeherenow49806,
I had my first eye (non dominant eye) done 9/20/18 and the second eye (dominant eye) done 10/18/18. Actually, the one done last feels better than the one done first. The one done first is the one that has distance and close up. I have had no pain in either eye. I just seem to be more “ware” of the first one when I’m watching TV. I haven’t driven since I had the last one done (one with distance only) but I’ve driven in a car and I feel like I would have no problem driving.
You are lucky in that you seem to have a doctor that is very forthcoming with information. I think my doctor is very competent, but he doesn’t volunteer much information. He only gives me information when I request it. For instance, he says things like “Barbara, I’ve been doing this a long time - trust me.” I did a lot of research before choosing him and really do feel that he knows what he is doing, but I would like to have a lot more information about what he is doing and why.
You’re right, even though I’m doing quite well, my eyes are certainly still healing and I need to be more patient. (Smile) I’m going to see him again
in four to six weeks to see whether or not I need a prescription for glasses. He told me initially that I would probably need glasses for night driving and maybe over the counter reading glasses for fine print. I don’t know, of course, about the night driving but at the moment I can’t read fine print. I’m going to try some reading glasses in a few days and will let you know if they work.
in my opinion.
the difference in your eyes is about 0.7D.
0.5D on the lens is about 0.35D on the actual refraction.