LRNut
Well-Known Member
It is simply amazing.This will be the first time in my life to be able to see without glasses.
I note lots of issues with astigmatism - anyone have LALs and have any issues? I am thrilled with mine.
It is simply amazing.This will be the first time in my life to be able to see without glasses.
Hey Stever88@Frog4aday - Update, I am seeking a Second Opinion. What resources are available to research the efficacy of the different manufacturers & lens types and success rates of the different IOC procedures?
Thank you for your consideration!
Hi Brent,Good luck. My LRI in the left was a fail. Supposed to correct astigmatism, restore far sight. I now have a weird distortion on the left side of the left eye that messes with peripheral vision, I am near sighted, and have astigmatism. Still waiting on surgical center to get back to me to see what the plan is to fix this royal F up.
Hey baldhunter,The eye had done yesterday is improving enough I'm not wearing glasses even though I still need surgery on the other eye next Monday.My eye was dilatated heavily and it takes some time for the eye to recover from all the drops and surgery.My vision is still a little come and go from a little blurry to good.The doctor told me this morning that it can take about three to four days before the vision gets clearer and stable.I can read the house number on a house down the street without glasses that I couldn't see for a while now with my glasses.I can sometimes read the text on my phone really easy and clear without any extra magnification.I may not even need reading glasses once both eyes are done.I'm so ready to have my next eye done now,just wish I didn't have to wait a week.
Amazing we get this advice on a site that isn't even about cataract surgery!Hey Stever88
I understand your desire to research the various IOL choices to help you make an informed decision. I could google it and see what comes up (you could, too) but there isn't a single source of reliable comparison info out there I would feel confident pointing you to. I'm sorry.
The thing is this - doctors (ophthalmologists) do NOT want to put crappy lenses in your eyes. It is not in their best interest. Bad lenses and bad outcomes equals unhappy patients with complaints and bad word of mouth (especially with the internet's reach!) So...if I doctor wants to put a lens in your eye, it's 98 out of 100 times going to be a proven, trustworthy product. What about the 2% I didn't account for? Some doctors like to be on the cutting edge and 'testing' new product. We need those 'cowboys' out there, but you don't need to be the guinea pig. Just ask - "How many times have you implanted this lens in the past year?" If it isn't over 50 times in a year, you may want to ask for the more "proven" lens instead. Does this help?
For you, you could be totally happy with "standard" monofocal IOLs in both eyes despite your mild to moderate astigmatism. And the brand won't really matter as the ones docs are using are all very well proven (anti-glare, anti-UV, usually single piece and foldable). They are optically clear and precise and you would be happy post op. Whatever little remaining astigmatism you had would be cleared up entirely with a mild pair of prescription glasses. Seriously. You'd be HAPPY.
The toric lens is very much like the monofocal lens (well proven, good designs). It just helps clear up your astigmatism so you would not need 'cylinder' correction (or very little) in your post op glasses. Some people NEED it (the toric lens) because of the large amount of astigmatism. Other people can take or leave it (I would put you in that category.)
As for LAL (light adjustable lenses; a very cool lens!) or multifocal lenses, you are now looking at extra cost with some limitations that your doctor will tell you about. These are the lens options where researching would pay off, if you are thinking of going down this road, because this is where the 'innovation' is happening. Every company wants to make that lens that lets you see at all distances clearly and without compromise. So they are constantly trying 'new stuff'. Your doctor will know what's been working well and what the limitations are for each lens. ("That one gives a bit more glare"; "that one gives a bit better vision at intermediate and distance but at the expense of some near"; "that one is great for people that do mostly near work but need to see to drive occasionally", and so forth.)
What do YOU need? A doctor you TRUST! If you don't have that, ask to see another doctor. I'm serious. This is your vision. Demand to see a doctor you trust. If your current ophthalmologist has you questioning their motives or professionalism, you have the right to seek a second opinion. There are many good doctors out there. Some are phenomenal. But trust matters. I'm getting the feeling you aren't fully trusting your doctor. That's sad. I want to help! Really. But...I'm not a doctor and I don't feel comfortable "telling" you what you should do about selecting the right IOL for you. I don't know your eye history or medical history or your lifestyle, so I can't advise you. I hope you understand.
Find a doctor you feel is LISTENING to you and who gives you good info to help you make the right choice. I'm telling you now, there isn't one perfect lens that fixes everything and gives you the eyes of an 18 year old again. But there is a lens that will be best for YOU. Your doctor should be helping you figure out which one that is.
Thank you (again!) for your very considered and detailed response. You have very accurately identified my concerns and suggested an appropriate and propitious course of action that I believe will answer my concerns. I will proceed on those suggestions, make make my inquiries and decide on a course of action.Hey Stever88
I understand your desire to research the various IOL choices to help you make an informed decision. I could google it and see what comes up (you could, too) but there isn't a single source of reliable comparison info out there I would feel confident pointing you to. I'm sorry.
The thing is this - doctors (ophthalmologists) do NOT want to put crappy lenses in your eyes. It is not in their best interest. Bad lenses and bad outcomes equals unhappy patients with complaints and bad word of mouth (especially with the internet's reach!) So...if I doctor wants to put a lens in your eye, it's 98 out of 100 times going to be a proven, trustworthy product. What about the 2% I didn't account for? Some doctors like to be on the cutting edge and 'testing' new product. We need those 'cowboys' out there, but you don't need to be the guinea pig. Just ask - "How many times have you implanted this lens in the past year?" If it isn't over 50 times in a year, you may want to ask for the more "proven" lens instead. Does this help?
For you, you could be totally happy with "standard" monofocal IOLs in both eyes despite your mild to moderate astigmatism. And the brand won't really matter as the ones docs are using are all very well proven (anti-glare, anti-UV, usually single piece and foldable). They are optically clear and precise and you would be happy post op. Whatever little remaining astigmatism you had would be cleared up entirely with a mild pair of prescription glasses. Seriously. You'd be HAPPY.
The toric lens is very much like the monofocal lens (well proven, good designs). It just helps clear up your astigmatism so you would not need 'cylinder' correction (or very little) in your post op glasses. Some people NEED it (the toric lens) because of the large amount of astigmatism. Other people can take or leave it (I would put you in that category.)
As for LAL (light adjustable lenses; a very cool lens!) or multifocal lenses, you are now looking at extra cost with some limitations that your doctor will tell you about. These are the lens options where researching would pay off, if you are thinking of going down this road, because this is where the 'innovation' is happening. Every company wants to make that lens that lets you see at all distances clearly and without compromise. So they are constantly trying 'new stuff'. Your doctor will know what's been working well and what the limitations are for each lens. ("That one gives a bit more glare"; "that one gives a bit better vision at intermediate and distance but at the expense of some near"; "that one is great for people that do mostly near work but need to see to drive occasionally", and so forth.)
What do YOU need? A doctor you TRUST! If you don't have that, ask to see another doctor. I'm serious. This is your vision. Demand to see a doctor you trust. If your current ophthalmologist has you questioning their motives or professionalism, you have the right to seek a second opinion. There are many good doctors out there. Some are phenomenal. But trust matters. I'm getting the feeling you aren't fully trusting your doctor. That's sad. I want to help! Really. But...I'm not a doctor and I don't feel comfortable "telling" you what you should do about selecting the right IOL for you. I don't know your eye history or medical history or your lifestyle, so I can't advise you. I hope you understand.
Find a doctor you feel is LISTENING to you and who gives you good info to help you make the right choice. I'm telling you now, there isn't one perfect lens that fixes everything and gives you the eyes of an 18 year old again. But there is a lens that will be best for YOU. Your doctor should be helping you figure out which one that is.
At least you know now. I go in tomorrow to see the plan is. So annoying. My other eye is really bad now, have to have surgery asspAfter three months from my cataract surgery and numerous post op visits, the doctor finally diagnosed my issue with my blurry vision. IOL rotated 40 degrees from where it should be. Long story short, I am going back into surgery tomorrow morning to correct. Hard to believe rotation occurred that much post op… a few degrees I can understand, but 40?…not sure.