My opthamalogist mentioned multifocal lenses as a discussion I should have with the surgeon. My optician (eye glass dispenser) says that he has heard some negative reports from customers with multifocal lenses.
My eyes with glasses test at 20/40. I have astigmatism (mild, I think). I have worn glasses for over 50 years since my young teens and I wouldn't mind being able to go without some of the time. But good problem-free vision is primary. Thank you!
Hi Frances - I am in same boat as you considering Symfony lenses. They are a new class of IOLs extended focus rather than a multifocal. They are supposed to have less halos and glare but some will still experience that. No guarantees. But even the standard less could have halos but less of a chance. I think if you have a good surgeon and have healthy eyes you should explore your options. As my opthamologist told me whatever I decide there will be a compromise- up to you to decide what compromise you want to make. Others here on this site can give you more details. I wish you all the best.
Hi, so why are you having surgery done? Do you have cataracts?
I had cataracts and mild astigmatism and had multifocal lens but regret it. Lots of vision problems and I still have to wear glasses for reading.
Saying that there have been plenty of successes too. But if I knew what I know now, I would have had the most basic of cataract removal
I have moderate cataracts.
Do you need the surgery soon? Be better if you have some time to get all the information you need to make best decision for yourself. What country do you live in? Many will cover through national health the surgery and basic monofocal lens.
All lenses have their advantages and disadvantages, but from what I know, I would stay away from multifocal lenses, and go with either monofocal lenses or Symfony lenses. The Symfony lenses (which are extended vision lenses) have more night vision issues than the monofocal lenses, but less than those associated with the multifocal lenses. Also, while multifocal lenses can provide you more than 1 good focus distance (for example at far and reading distances), objects at the in-between distances would not be clear.
Between the the Symfony lenses and the monofocal lenses, the Symfony lenses will give you more depth of field than the monofocal lenses, but have a higher chance of giving you night vision issues. So, the selection of the lenses depends on whether you want to minimize the night vision issues or want ot wear the glasses the least amount of time.
I have a Symfony Toric lens in my right eye for distance and a monofocal lens in my left eye for close-up. With this combination, I have good day vision at all distances beyond 16 inches. However, I wish that my night vision were better, the main issue being the seeing of multiple concentric circles or halos around lights at night time. Many other people seem to have had the same issue. Rather than repeating the details here, I will encourage you to read my post, “Has Any One Else Had This Very Unusual Vision Issue with Symfony Lens?” on this forum. You should be able to find it by clicking on my name and then looking under “Discussion”.
My suggestion will be go with monofocal lenses if having the best night vision is very important to you and go with the Symfony lens if having a good depth of field (without glasses) in the day time is most important to you.
If you are willing to try a little bit of monovision, I will suggest using a monofocal lens in the dominant eye for distance and a Symfony lens set for intermediate distance (which will also provide you good vision at reading distances) in the non-dominant eye, which is essentially a variation of what I have. Hopefully, with this variation, you will still keep the chance of the night vision issues at a low level.
If you are willing to try a little bit of monovision and also just use monofocal lenses (and not a Symfony lens at all), you can consider using a monofocal lens in the dominant eye for distance and a monofocal lens set for intermediate distance in the non-dominant eye, You should be able to adjust to the small amount of monovision associated with this combination. However, you will need to use glasses for reading.
I see the surgeon in a few weeks but I will have to join the waitlist. I am prepared to pay for other lenses. I live in Ontario Canada.
Much appreciated. I will look at your earlier post as well.
I have had a bad experience with the multifocal lens. Distance vision (in my opinion it is the most important) is blurry..like having a film over my eye. I had my surgery over 2 months ago and have already had the laser to correct it...obviously it didn't work. I was supposed to have second eye done but cancelled because I want to get this issue resolved. I think it is important to choose a good doctor from a good medical center. My local doctor guaranteed that I would be able to play tennis with the multifocal lens (I wanted to have a single vision lens and wear reading glasses) after surgery and I am struggling to see. I see halos around lights day and night. I cannot read street signs until I am close to them..yes I could read them before surgery. I see 6 feet away just fine and can read without glasses if the print is not too small. Needless to say this is very frustrating.
Susie what type of multifocal lens did you get?
I had cataract surgery (both eyes) 2 years ago. I too have astigmatism and also wore glasses for over 50 years. My opthamologist strongly advised against multifocal lenses, almost saying he wouldn't do the surgery if I chose them. I'm really glad I went with the monofocal. Here's why: Athough I still need to wear glasses (with progressive lenses), my vision with them is as clear and sharp as it has ever been in my life. It did take a month or so for my eyes (especially the right one) to "settle down" after surgery, but I am very pleased with where I am today with my vision and the glasses Rx that was prescribed post-surgery.
As an alternative to cataract multifocal lenses, about a month ago I went and got fitted for contact lenses in order to be glasses-free. What I learned is that my contact lenses would have to be for "monovision", essentially what multifocal cataract lenses accomplish. One eye is fitted for distance and one eye fitted for closeness. The result is sort of OK, but no where near as great as my glasses. From this monovision contact lenses experience, I realized that I had absolutely made the right decison to not choose cataract multifocal lenses!
With the result of the monovison contact lenses proving to only be sort of a wishy-washy OK, I had the optomotrist also fit me with distance-only contact lenses. They provide really sharp distance vision, but I have to use a pair of $10 WalMart reading glasses for anything close up. (An annoyance if not aggravation in having to constantly put on and take off.) I do occasionally use my contact lenses, mostly for vanity reasons 
, but my progressive lens glasses and cataract monofocal lenses are simply a great combo for wonderful vision if you have astigmatism.
Hi, according to what I know and was told multifocal is to fix all three distances - more like the progressive glasses. Unfortunately sometimes it does not work that way though😕. What I can definetely tell you is that you're blessed with having an eye doctor who looked after your real needs. Everyone else on here will agree with that. A happy ending for once. Stay blessed
Multifocal IOLs or contact lenses are not same as monovision. Monovision is setting one eye for distance and other eye for near. That can be done with contact lenses or IOLs.
These forums are learning lessons for us all - at least for me it is. What is the single vision called. I honestly thought it was mono
I just read this online - "Depending upon the size of your pupils you may see linear halos at night, which appear as thin circles within a light source. These halos are different from, and much less problematic than those caused by cataracts."
I don't see halos now with my moderate cataracts. Is it possible that this is a good indicator of problems with multifocal?
The Monofocal as well as the Monovision terms start with mono and thus may be causing some confusion.
When we talk about the IOL lenses, we have monofocal lenses (which have the best focus at only one distance), the multifocal lenses (which have the two or three distances for a good focus), and the Extended Focus lenses (which provide good focus over an extended range). The monofocal lenses are the most common lenses used after the cataract surgery and are often the only type of lenses covered by insurance.
The Monovision is the term used for having the 2 eyes cover different ranges of distance. Thus, the lens in one eye may provide the best focus at one distance (say, far) while the other eye provides the best focus at the other distance (near or intermediate). Together, the 2 eyes cover a wider range of distance for which they can see quite well without any glasses. This is often used with contact lenses also. When the difference in the 2 eyes is smaller, it is also called micro-monovision or blended vision.
Thank you so very much. You've put it in clear layman terms that I can understand. I'll be seeing a cornea specialist to check if there is anything that can be done - like replacing the lenses that I have now. I might have asked for monovision when I want monofocal.
Thanks again.
Tecnis multifocal lens. Abbott makes the lens. Sometimes called the Tecnis Symfony IOL
Although even some doctors call Technis Symfony lens as a mutifocal lens (often for the ease in pricing), it is a new class of lenses, called Extended Focus lens. Tecnis does make 3 conventional multifocal lenses. The usual multifocal lenses have a few more night vision (and day vision) issues than the Symfony lens, which in turn has more night vision issues than the monofocal lenses.
Thanks Susie - do you like your lenses? This is what I am looking at for my surgery.