Hi, I've seen two doctors in regards to a cataract in my left eye. My original question was this one:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/second-guessing-my-cataract-replacement-lens-609989?page=0&utm_source=forum&utm_campaign=comment-notification&utm_medium=email#2827761
I emailed my doctor and he responded with the message below. I am not sure what he means, but I think he says my replacement lens should be -.75? Could anyone please help me decipher this? Thanks!
-3 dpt will make you very near sighted. When you get cataract surgery in the other eye you will not be able to choose "distance" without risking double images between your -3 dpt and your fully corrected eye. It is safer to choose a moderate distance of -0.75 dpt unless you have practice with a big difference between the two eyes.
I reread your original posts and replies. There are some good recommendations there.
Given you really only need 1 eye done (unless there is some reason why other eye needs doing now to balance eyes) your unoperated eye should provide you with the reading distance you want (are you nearsighted only - or wear readers now)?
If just one cataract surgery needed (and you do not want the nighttime halos and glare a premium lens would bring - but would give you vision for all distances) my opinion is you should target that eye for OD to give you distance for driving etc. The other unoperated eye will provide you with other distances and reading. Then when it comes time for the other eye to be operated on you can look at mini monovision or a premium lens should you wish to eliminate need for glasses.
Setting your first eye at -3 wouldn't be what I would want given your age. But I think you would need to figure out the visual outcomes you want first. Everyone has different goals and preferences. I can tell you no lens at your age is going to be perfect. You'll need to compromise and decide what is best for you.
Thanks for the reply. So my doctor suggested, -.75. Is that in-line with your recommendation?
-0.75D would probably give that eye about 20/40 or better distance vision and OK intermediate (2-3feet) vision like for computer monitor viewing.
Thats actually close to what I think I want for my 2nd eye, but want best distance vision for my dominant eye to go with that, target: 0.0 to -0.25D for the first eye.
I would target 2nd eye when it needs doing at -.75D. Unless you want intermediate distance - but you would need glasses for distance to drive. What is your current vision - are you near sighted or farsighted?
I agree with the recommendation by the doctor that you should have the left (bad) eye done right now and choose a target prescription of -0.75D for that eye. (you may end up anywhere between -0.25D and -1.25D). Considering that your right eye is currently at -1.0D, that gives you the best chance of ending up without any visual issues in the near future.
Setting the target to -3.0D is not a good idea. You may end with -3.5D in the left eye which will be harder to adjust to, without providing much additional reading capability than having -2.25D and with much worse intermediate distance vision. Even if you want to be able to read without glasses, you should not target a value less than -2.0D or -2.25D (I have monovision with -2.25D prescription in my left eye and do not need glasses for reading even small print).
Having said that, my recommendation will be to go with the target of -0.75D for the left eye. Depending on where you actually end with that, you will still have the option of getting the right eye set for distance or near or intermediate distance a few years down the road.
I am currently near sighted. I don't need reading glasses but I do need to take off my glasses to read..
Which is perfectly acceptable.