RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

After reading through all pages of replies, my additional thought is that if a person has cataracts or anything else that affects their vision, they should consider whether they should be driving. If they are in an accident and the other party finds out about any uncorrected vision impairment, this in itself might be enough to support a lawsuit or countersuit. I do accident investigation work and, if I found out that a party to an accident had an existing cataract or even had experienced cataract surgery, it would be in my report to look into it further as a potential contributing accident cause. Cataract surgery after an accident could also be legally problematic. Bottom line: Get qualified medical advice you trust, make a decision about how to proceed and get it done.

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

Related to using readers, not to surgery.

I used to have a hundred pair of readers (I may be prone to just a bit of exaggeration) Then I got progressives. I wear them all the time and they don't get lost. If you have a need to see close up through the upper part of your lens, this may not be the answer. (Reading power meters, working under dashes etc.)

stepha11 Loc: Trail British Coluimbia

Actually I don't understand the question. When I had surgery (after a lifetime wearing glasses) I chose good eyes and had both near and far, astigmatism corrected, and now do not wear glasses and have passed several eye tests for driving. At 86 I have twenty/twenty vision. Reading in dim light is my only problem. The only question I would pose is "what money do you have?" Same question doctors ask but for different reasons! Choose the best you can afford especially as photographers you need eyes.

cfhelz45 Loc: The Villages, Florida

I had one eye distance and the for close. Had laser surgery years ago and had the same (mono vision). Have a pair of sun glass that I use to drive that makes both eyes for distance.

PaulinWoburn

I had cataract surgery done at the end of last year. My left eye has a near-sighted lens in it and my right eye has a far-sighted lens in it. At first I couldn't understand how I could have a far-sighted eye and a near-sighted and be able to see correctly without glasses. But somehow your brain adjusts this so you can see perfectly. It's amazing. I have an astigmatism in both eyes and if I wanted lenses put in my eyes to correct them, it would have cost an extra $1500 per lens, not covered by insurance.So, I do wear glasses to make it easier to read books and read street signs.But without my glasses, I can see all the menus and buttons on my camera with either of my eyes. Before the surgery I couldn't see any of these menus. Cataract surgery was the best thing to happen to me. After it, colors will be more dynamic. My doctor told me that having cataracts is like looking out through a dirty window. I hope this helps.

Tet68survivor Loc: Pomfret Center CT

Just had Alcon parts installed in my eyes by DR and Alcon machinery Didn't hurt a bit.

LauraT

I had some problems and ended having 3 surgeries in each eye. But....I am very glad that I had it done.
Laura

cactusflower Loc: Lake Havasu, AZ

My ophthalmologist said that if I had never had contacts with one far and one near that my brain may not accommodate to cataract lenses that are one far and one near. I opted for far. I have very dry eyes and found that going without glasses made my eyes worse so now I wear progressives with a mild correction for close up, i just don't like bifocals and ive worn progressive lenses for may years. Nothing wrong with asking for others experiences but make your own decision based on your particular circumstances.

PixHound Loc: Marietta, GA

Having plowed this ground, I'll offer my experience (please take with a grain of salt). My doctors were of virtually no help with the near/far decision, or about what type of implants to go with. Neither did I find much help from internet. So my logic on this follows. Having been nearsighted, and in glasses from school age to mid-50's (when it became necessary to deal with the cataracts), I had no issue with a continued need for glasses. Since work and hobbies (besides photography) involved significant close-up work, it made sense to me to remain somewhat nearsighted. Also, since both eyes had some degree of astigmatism, I felt it important that both eyes continue to work together...thus rejecting the idea of having one eye set "near" and the other for distance. I compromised however, and had my weaker eye set for intermediate distance, and my dominant eye set for reading distance. The result was excellent. I could see well enough without glasses to navigate around the house, and even read. With the new glasses (progressive lenses), vision was great at all distances. I should note that I rejected the "trick" implants that offer both near and distance due to potential issues with low light, that are well know with those. I did opt for a version that was to correct for my astigmatism however. Later finding out that those have slightly larger "feet" that anchor them in place. This came up because one implant is out of place and is irritating the iris. I'm not sure this would not have happened with the basic implants, but I'd not have gone for those if I had been advised of that risk. Good luck to all facing these decisions.

JCM

I just had it done yesterday. My office is so bright I can't believe it was that bad. I chose distance lens - I want to see a gnat at 200 yards....but that' s because I still enjoy competitive golf. Also, I have to wear reading glasses for the other eye. It was 'fixed' 10 years ago but all didn't go well. Since changed Dr. If you are told you are a "candidate" for the lens that permits both close and distance check with lots of other folks that have chosen that route. My wife did and unless there is LOTS of light they don't work that well. They're also the most expensive. We wish we had our $$ back. The mono fit works well for some people. I believe your dominant eye is done for distance and non dominant for close. Wife did that very successfully with contacts prior to cataract surgery. That's the best unsolicited advice I have today. Best wishes with the surgery.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There are several kinds of "progressive lenses". I have near vision correction at the bottom of mine. I have another pair with a different gradient of correction... only the top fifth of the lens is good for distance. They are better for computer use and close up use of tools. But I keep 1.5 diopter readers near my computer at all times, because they seem to work better at arms' length than either pair of progressives.

Another option is to have one eye corrected for distance, the other for close vision/reading. My sister had that done, and swears by it. She does not use any glasses at all. But it's not for everyone. I know another person who has that combination, and wishes she had never done that! Consult your ophthalmologist.

dfrodin Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

I had both done at the same time, ended up with 20/40 vision. I use reading glasses, distance is more important.

Chilimac

Never had the choice on lenses but what a difference the surgery (both eyes done three weeks apart) made! Wow! It's a whole new world out there! Unbelievable!

Pilot

I have distance vision (equal) implants in both eyes. I must use readers for near vision and have had no problems with menus and buttons on a Canon 80D, the Canon SX60
or readings on any of the lenses I have.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I went for distance vision in my left eye and mid-range vision in my right eye. It was the surgeon's recommendation, although I had gotten that recommendation from others who had had cataract surgery as well. I was near-sighted (seriously, 20/200) from age 15. I couldn't be happier with the results. It does mean that close-up vision activity like reading a book with small print or the newspaper requires reading glasses. The biggest advantage is the fantastic 20/20 distance vision I have been enjoying since both eyes were done (done a week apart). Now, distance-vision sunglasses are reasonable in cost (no prescription required). And, drug-store reading glasses are adequate, I can barely tell the difference from the prescription pair I had made. I couldn't recommend cataract removal and lens replacement more! You'll never regret it. Get the most highly recommended surgeon you can find.