Cataract Surgery and Photography (Page 3): I tried the "bifocal" contact lenses - supposed to allow both near and far focusing. They did. but neither was as good as distance lenses or...

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I tried the "bifocal" contact lenses - supposed to allow both near and far focusing. They did. but neither was as good as distance lenses or reading glasses. I think when I need cataract surgery I will opt for the far vision only and just keep my reading glasses.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Single focus, no effect on photography. Multi focus was significantly more expensive and not covered by insurance

nospambob Loc: Edmond, Oklahoma

Single focus, better at photography. But I have monovision. 30 years ago when wearing contact lenses, my doctor had me try one eye nearsighted for reading, and the other eye for distance. The contacts made me 20/20 in right eye and 20/100 in left eye. Perfect. I can read and see down the road (I'm 74). So when I had cataracts done, they did both eyes just like my monovision. I see perfect.
But do NOT try this unless you first try it in contact lenses to make sure you can adapt to it. It took me about 10 minutes to adapt (30 years ago). My wife never did, so she wears reading glasses.

LenCreate

I had cataract surgery in both eyes two years ago. I asked the doctor which lens created more problems and he said that many more people who get the multi-focal are dissatisfied. I got the single focus and use reading glasses for close up work. The surgery is painless and takes a few minutes, although the pre and post surgery care make the whole process last about two hours. Recovery was quick. My eyesight began to improve after a few days and is “perfect” now. The surgery helped my photography. Glare bothered me before, but no longer does. I see colors better because the cataracts added a yellowish tint. My night vision is also much better. Good luck with the surgery.

Bob3

I had Cataract surgery in June 2020 My doctor recommended against the multifocal lenses because they have a tendency to cause a halo effect when looking through the camera and sometimes when driving at night.

georad Loc: Northern Ohio

I just had the surgery last week. I chose single vision with close reading focus. The reason, I have worn glasses most of my life for nearsighted vision. I did not want to constantly have to put on reading glasses. I did not pick multi focal because of the chance of still having slight blooming images of bright lights. The Doc said that this was a slight possibility. Maybe your Doc has a lens to overcome this or feels it is rare to have this outcome. Bottom line, I am pleased with my decision. Because of the implant, my vision has changed remarkably for both near and far. It is so much better and colors are distinct and correct. I was very scared to have this done and it definitely worked out. I am getting the other eye done in two weeks. Good luck with the surgery and I know you will be pleased with much better vision.

The Saint KK4GO Loc: Florida

whatdat wrote:

No effect on my photography. With astigmatism, I couldn’t go the route with one lense far & one near.. had to have one of the lens specific (Kirov?). Far vision great; reading glasses needed. So I bought a dozen reading specs & put a pair in every room plus cars. Good luck with your procedure.

Did the same. Could not believe the color and clarity of new eye lenses. Painless 1hour procedure.. Both eyes one done week apart.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I had cataract surgery 2 years ago. Didnt go well. Cameras parked. Legally blind. Had a new type lens put in for distance. Covid shut down MD office and prevented me from follow up. Finally have new consult on Fri 3/19. Will have new lenses in both eyes. For near vision work.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The big change will be color. Usually one eye is done at a time, so you can compare corrected vs uncorrected. Cataracts impart a dirty yellow brown coloration. Compare a pure white napkin.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I had Cataract Surgery in both eyes over a period of time. Each time, my eyesight was improved. I had no complicating issues. I have bi-focals, as I had before the surgery and have no issues. Best of luck.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

sabfish wrote:

I am scheduled for cataract surgery in May and would welcome anyone's experience with the surgery and the affect on your photography. I am also interested in whether you chose multi-focal lenses or the single focus lenses. I am leaning toward the former. I searched past posts on this subject, but most of them were at least 4 years old. The availability of multi-focal lenses has certainly improved since then, so I thought I would seek more current experiences.

When I had my eyes done 7-8 years ago my ophthalmologist recommended against them because more than half the recipients of the multi-focal lenses did not end up liking them. I did as she recommended and had single strength lenses put in and use reading glasses when necessary.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

sabfish wrote:

I am scheduled for cataract surgery in May and would welcome anyone's experience with the surgery and the affect on your photography. I am also interested in whether you chose multi-focal lenses or the single focus lenses. I am leaning toward the former. I searched past posts on this subject, but most of them were at least 4 years old. The availability of multi-focal lenses has certainly improved since then, so I thought I would seek more current experiences.

First, my cataract surgery removed a yellow cast. This was especially notable after the first eye was done and while waiting to do the other eye.

Second. If by multi-focus lens you are referring to near vision in one eye and far vision in the opposite eye, then your ability to adapt to this change is primarily related to age. My ophthalmologist does a fair number of redo's for patients who have had this option at the suggestion of another group in town and could not adapt.

If you are speaking of a graduated focus on a single lens implant then I have no knowledge of that topic.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I'm 76 yrs old, I have cataract surgery on both of my eye last month, I am going my recovery process right now, my new lenses are for near sight, now I can read clearly at one arm's distance. I can drive with out problem, it only shows a little double image, due to astigmatism, I will have an appointment next week to see if any correction lenses to be needed. I don't have problem taking picture through the view finder of my DSLRs.

Lenfagen

sabfish wrote:

I am scheduled for cataract surgery in May and would welcome anyone's experience with the surgery and the affect on your photography. I am also interested in whether you chose multi-focal lenses or the single focus lenses. I am leaning toward the former. I searched past posts on this subject, but most of them were at least 4 years old. The availability of multi-focal lenses has certainly improved since then, so I thought I would seek more current experiences.

I have had cataract surgery in both eyes. I chose multifocal lenses. They have only made my vivion better. No effect in my photography. However, every one is different. Talk to your doctor.

pendennis

Had the surgery in Nov/Dec 2013. Severe astigmatism (4.5) corrected with a toric lens. Need only +1.5d for reading glasses. The astigmatism correction also opened up colors as never before. I only need viewfinder correction for the left eye, since I use it because of dominance.

Removal of the cataracts also removes some natural UV protection, so I always wear UV protection sunglasses of at least 85% reduction when outside, even when cloudy. Replacement lenses, even though they have UV filtering, just don't rise to the level of the natural eye.

The other upside, is that i get to wear Wiley X, RayBan, AO, and Ranger sunglasses without prescriptions. And I really like the wrap around models that were nearly impossible to get corrective lenses because of astigmatism.