I am going to have an cataract operation in a month or so (I am 57). The specialist said that with the new artificial lens, I have the choice of either perfect distance vision and needing reading glasses, or perfect close vision and needing glasses for distance, which is how I am at the moment.The specialist didn't seem able to explain why it isn't possible to have an artificial lens that will fix both the reading and distance vision so that they are BOTH perfect. Can anybody out there explain this to me please!
I had the option to have combination near and far vision lens. The Doctor said that that option would result in less than perfect distant AND near vision and recommended that I opt for distant vision only. I have found that my near vision is better than before as well. Dr. said it helps that I am tall (6 feet one inch) and seated with what I am reading is at lap level I would not need reading glasses. He was right. But saying that my vision is 20/30 with my left eye and 20/40 for the right eye. The only improvement I have noticed is that I can see stars at night as my cataracts are gone. I have talked to others and they say their vision is 20/20 after cataract operation. Go figure. The doctor does correct astigmatism during the operation, which I think is an attempt to reach 20/20 vision?
The answer is that they do make artificial lenses that can accommodate but they are both expensive and a compromise and people differ as to their quality.
I am interested that your specialist offered you this choice. I was not offered that choice and i was given perfect distant vision (glasses for close up) but I would have preferred the reverse situation, as you have, as I was used to that.
I suggest you investigate accommodating IOLs and see what your specialist says about them (but you would have to pay for one)
Peter
I thought there was a lens that would do that. I'm almost certain there is. I had a choice of three lenses and I definitely chose the wrong one. I went for the less expensive. Very poor decision. I call mine the "Medicare lens." I'd get a second opinion.
Thanks for your replies. One thing I didn't mention is that the specialist said that if I did have the excellent-distance-vision-but-need-reading-glasses option, the distance I would need reading glasses for could be as much as 2 metres. (So they would not actually be reading glasses, more like closer work glasses,) He did say that if I took up this option, my near eyesight would be like that of a very very old person, and he was obviously trying to put me off having this done!
As I am used to wearing glasses for distance anyway, I will go for that option and see what changes occur in my eyesight after the cataract op.
One odd thing. I had a test which involved lots of little red dots, which apparently measured the shape and size of the inside workings of my eyes. I went in to see the specialist straight afterwards, and he was BLUE!!! Not his clothes - his face appeared to me to be a dull blue. No doubt a reaction to the red lights, but it was just like looking at an alien from a sci-fi film. it only lasted for a few minutes.
you can get room varifocals that work from normal reading out to somewhere between 1 and 2 metres. Beyond that distance you will see very well. I find i can see without glasses perfectly all the way beyond just over 1 metre
Oh dear it's a difficult decision isn't it?!! However I have needed glasses for distance since I was 13 and am well used to them, so I think I will stick with that option and just see what happens about my close vision after the op. How soon does the eye settle down so that you know how your vision will be?
I never considered to go with only near vision and I am glad I did not. Before the cataract operation I needed glasses to read. Now my far vision is 20/30 and 20/40 for far and they recommended +2.50 for reading glasses. I have found that I am able to do laptop computer without reading glasses and reading normal size newspaper print without glasses. Talk to your doctor. But in the past I had fair distant vision and could drive without glasses.
I am also considering getting lenses for near since I have been near sighted all my life and use my smart phone a lot. Please share your experience with the near lenses now that your surgery is done.
It is a week since I had the cataract operation. I had had new glasses (varifocals) about a year before the operation. As soon as I put these glasses on, the day after the op, I could see out of them perfectly. My distance vision with them is fine (better than before obviously, because of the cataract). Reading vision is also fine. I would say that I can see clearly for close stuff from 25cm to about 42cm, which would cover most things that count as close work. It would certainly be all right for looking at smart phones.
I spoke to someone at the cataract department about getting the other eye done (I will apparently have to get a letter sent from my own optician and start from new with that eye). The cataract dept person was amazed that I could see well out of my existing glasses and I think she thought I was lying to her, but it is true, the glasses are perfect for my operated-on eye.
This is such an encouraging idea for me. I want to make sure that I have this straight. You had cataract surgery on one eye and got the lens for near vision. With that eye (without glasses) you can see about 25cm to about 42 cm. With your varifocal glasses (how amazing is that?) you can see fine for distance and also see for reading/smart phone.? However, you also still have a good eye which is near sighted but corrected with the glasses, right? So is your eye without the cataract your dominant eye and helping you see or is this the vision in your cataract fixed eye? It's such a big decision; thank you for the information!
Where do you get such glasses? Are they prescription or just a drugstore type?
I had my right eye done foe near distance and I am vary unhappy! My left, dominant eye is still kind of fine and has a natural farsightness. The difference between two eyes is almost 4 D and my brain is not ujusting to this. i am dizzy, drowsy and my right eye is already grttibg blurry,. I visited bunch id other doctors, with one exception look at me if am am an anoyjing, ungreatfull nincompoop. One even said that I should be greatfull to have any vision in my operated eye. Im am confused and deprresed. My eye surgeon DID NOT prestent me with any option before the procedure.
Barbara, if you can, get a second and third opinion and go by your inner feeling. I wish I have done that. Anyway, I wish all the best! <3
Katherine, I'm sorry your adjustnet has been so difficult. It sounds like your eyes are just too far apart; perhaps when the second one is done they will work better together. My doctor has recommended a mini mono and I wish I had tried it out earlier but my one eye is too blurry now for me to do that. I wish you luck in finding a doctor who will really problem solve with you how to improve your vision.
I have had one near lens in left eye and one long-sighted lens in right eye,so it is possible. Unfortunately have to re-do longsight as it is worse that before.Will tell you if it improves next week
I posted a similar query a few weeks ago asking if anyone had had cataract ops for close vision but I didn't receive any replies from anyone that had actually had this done so I was very interested to read your post. I feel as if this is the best option for me as I'm slightly disabled so I'm indoors more than out and about so my "sphere" is fairly close ie for reading, iPhone, make-up. Because of being in a lot of pain I don't sleep well and look pretty awful most of the time and therefore being able to do my make-up particularly eye-make-up is very imprtant to me, as well as being able to see my iPhone. If I had to put on glasses every time my phone pings it would drive me mad! However I'm very shaky about this decision as I don't know anyone else who has had it done for close vision - everyone else has it done for distance. Like you I can see fairly well close up for reading, seeing my iPhone, and make-up. Food prep is slightly blurry because the distance is about 20-24 ins which is a bit further away. Having had them done "close" can you see to do your make-up, particularly your eye-make-up clearly? Do you need a magnifying mirror for that? (If you don't wear eye makeup can you tell me if you could though). Also can you see to do food prep, see your iPhone, read, without putting on your varifocals? I've got varifocals and was told they wouldn't be right after the op so the fact that yours are still ok is interesting, Do you know what strength lens you had? Mine are to be -2.5 (I think that's right) with a Toric in my right eye to correct astigmatism and an ordinary lens in the left. The surgeon proposes to do one close and one what he calls close-and-a-bit and from what I understand I'll be able to see clearly from about 10ins away to about 3ft 6" away clearly. Closer is likely to be a bit blurred so I'd need to use a magnifying mirror but he says it won't be blurred, and that I'll be able to see fine just for being in and around the house and for cooking. I would be so grateful for a detailed reply angieth and many thanks in advance. If anyone else has had them done for close vision do please respond. Thank you.
My dad had his done for close vision. His rationale is that he is older and spends more time indoors reading and watching tv. Putting on glasses every time he needs close vision also means keeping them on hand. His vision was never very bad, even in his 80's. Since his surgery about 3 yrs ago, he uses glasses when he drives. He finds it easier to leave glasses in his car than to carrry them around for near vision. He is still happy with his choice. The choice is so individual though,depending on lifestyle and correction available for your eyes.