burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Exactly. My experience is that my vision improved significantly over the five years after the surgery. It has drifted on a daily basis, due to dry eye. Drops help somewhat.

I have the Alcon toric lenses, which got rid of MOST of my astigmatism. There are many daytime situations where everything is tack sharp. Night is another story, most of the time.

I see much better than I did before the surgery. Having it done is one of the better decisions I've made. I no longer see four traffic lights when looking at one fixture!

User ID

Insurance doesn’t cover astigmatism. Mine was $3400 cash. That bought me the choice of special lenses or normal lenses plus LASIK. Either way corrects astigmatism.

Insurance covers cataract removal as a medical necessity. Liberating you from eyeglasses isn’t a medical necessity. So the cheapest solution to astigmatism is new eyeglasses after cataract surgery, preferably with a reading zone at the bottom (like bifocals).

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I had cataract surgery several years ago. Over time my vision has changed a few times and I suspect multi-focal implants would now be difficult to accommodate with glasses.

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

In addition to special lenses (e.g., toric, multifocal, etc.) could those who have had cataract surgery please discuss whether they had traditional or laser-assisted surgery, and why, and any differences (other than the extra $1,000 or so per eye for the laser-assisted surgery and the fact that laser-assisted surgery may correct mild astigmatism without the need of using special lenses)?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I had traditional surgery in both eyes, using toric lenses to correct astigmatism. No lasers. Surgeries done two weeks apart. No complications.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Bill_de said Congress should get right on this! Or, maybe folks should find a way to earn what they want to help their photography. Maybe while they're at it they will send me a Z9. That way somebody else can pay for it. "

My reply to your virtuous comment: Easily said Bill_de, but in reality, saving for retirement does not work out for many. I have been retired for over 20 years and my savings and buying power have shrank soaked in hot caustic inflation. My retirement program evaporated when the cooperation I worked for was destroyed by the Asbestos law suites for having supported the WW2 effort. I had faithfully put 15% toward my 401 retirement, but my $40 stock was written off the books at 4 cents. So Social Security is my income. I worked until I was 73.

Getting good medical care by Medicare and supplements is a lifesaver, eyeglasses are included. So Bill_de implying laziness or Socialism is in my opinion not appropriate, nor does it fit the political definition of charity or socialism. I do hope the Admin of this section does not consider my remarks as out of line and belonging in the Attic. Perhaps the subject entirety belongs in that lofty place called the Attic. This post by Old School rings political since it mentions congress, "The premium multifocal lens implants are not yet covered by Medicare and members of Congress should be urged to have them included."

Back to the technical subject of multifocal intraocular lenses. I am lucky, at 86 and do not yet need a cataract operation but have worn glass for many years. Along the way, it was suggested that my contacts be left eye for distance and right eye for reading! I thought it crazy!!! But I gave it a try, and to my surprise, it worked out well. I certainly agree that having the lenses covered by medical insurance for retired individuals would be a big plus not only for photographers but for all with special life style vision needs.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I have had cataract surgery with implants. I had a long discussion with my Ophthalmologist and chose to go with single vision lenses. I am corrected to 20/20-1 for distant vision and need a small lens power for reading. What clinched the deal was her data on re-operations she performs on patients that were talked into dual vision lens implants by another group in town. Remember, the age group that are having cataracts fixed are not kiddies but are older with brains that are hard to rewire.

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

I have somewhat of a similar situation and am going to need cataract surgery in the next year or two (doctor says I am at “level 3”, whatever that means. I was nearsighted (actually very - my eyeglass prescription was -7.0 in the left eye and -7.1 in the right) until I had LASIK surer back in 1995, and have 20-20 vision now. But looking ahead, do I go for the multi focal? How was your vision before? Also, anybody on this forum have a Lasik history and has that made any difference as far as camera use. FWIW, my current camera is a Nikon Z6 Mirrorless.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

This is not the venue for medical advice! Let your ophthalmologist be your guide and if you have any doubts get a second opinion.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I am warry of multifocal intraocular lens implants because I tried the multifocal contact lenses. They worked... sort of. Neither the near vision nor the far vision was as clear as with progressive lenses, and that was too frustrating to continue with them.

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

I am pondering options for cataract replacement. One of the drawbacks of multi focal is halos or rings around bright objects. Is this true? Is it a bother?
Also I have astigmatism across more than one axis the Toric lenses were not recommended because they’d only have a 50% chance of success for me. It seems that maybe getting rid of the primary astigmatism might be worthwhile. Thoughts?

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

User ID is correct. After happily being in the ophthalmic field, I can concur that monovision is one eye for distance, and one for near. The distance eye is usually the dominate eye. Contact lenses and IOLs can be set for monovision.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

My experience with the standard Medicare covered lens with my cataract surgery has been outstanding. I've been wearing glasses since I was 13-14 for near sightedness in both eyes and astigmatism in my left eye. After surgery, no more glasses required except the cheap reading glasses you can buy at any pharmacy. Not to mention, the surgery was easy peasy. I was quite apprehensive like everybody about having someone muck around with my eyes but it turned out to be not a big deal at all. No discomfort and it took no time at all.

Good luck.

lbrande

I have mono-vision as a pilot. It works for me, thankfully.