FunkyL Loc: MD

...from a photography point of view, of course! I'll be talking to a cataract surgeon next month about my lens replacement options. I've always been extremely nearsighted - uncorrected, I'm really good at seeing splinters in fingers, but even glasses or contacts just barely get my distance vision good enough for a drivers license. I think that's one reason I like photography - if I get the focus good I can zoom in and see details that I'd otherwise miss

I've been told I should consider the extra expense of a multi focal corrective lens, and in theory, I'm really excited about the idea of being able to read the bedroom clock from bed, but I'm wondering if any of you who've had cataract surgery have chosen these multi focal lenses, and if so, how they've affected your photography. Do they affect your ability to focus your shots? Do the halos/rings some people report interfere with your photography? Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Old Coot

I had the multi focus lenses in both eyes. At first I had 20/20 vision for distance and reading but over time my distance focusing has reverted to what it was before. maybe a little better but not perfect. With these lenses you will probably have the Halo effect where every (And I do mean every) point of light has its own halo. I found this most disturbing when driving at night. However, over time I got used to it and although still there, it doesn't bother me much. I understand that the loss of distance focussing may be due to the growth of a film over the new lens which the Optometrist said he will remove when it gets worse.

netsailer Loc: Tampa, FL

Re : I've been told I should consider the extra expense of a multi focal corrective lens, and in theory, I'm really excited about the idea of being able to read the bedroom clock from bed, but I'm wondering if any of you who've had cataract surgery have chosen these multi focal lenses, and if so, how they've affected your photography. Do they affect your ability to focus your shots? Do the halos/rings some people report interfere with your photography? Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.[/quote]

I had that surgery around 1995, but opted to one near-sight and one far-sight lens (they did not have the multi-focal option "back in the day"). Has worked quite well, no halos except when I see angels and such.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I was mildly nearsighted. I got a straight lens (with correction for astigmatism). When I got them done my eyes were 20/20 for distance but I need reading glasses. 1.5 strength. I used generic readers for a couple years and just recently I got graded bifocals. They're a pain for reading and computer work but they're great for driving. The top is very weak so I see fine out the windshield. The bottom is for reading the dashboard. Still really getting used to them.

When I first got my new lenses I tried adjusting the camera for my eyes, then for my reading glasses. I finally settled on using the reading glasses and adjusting the diopter so I see things in focus with my glasses on. That allows me to look at the camera and see the monitor and all the markings on the knobs and buttons.

Again, my eyes were not very far out of alignment so I don't know what sort of reading glasses you will need if you get straight lenses. And I never tried multifocal implants but I've heard mixed things about them and my doctor did not recommend them. If possible, get a couple different opinions from different doctors.

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

I have recently had my first cataract operation and will shortly be having the other eye done.

I have chosen single vision distance lenses. Having worn glasses for the last 65 years I didn't feel I would look right without, so have had a new varifocal lens in my glasses merging from plain glass for distance to my prescription for my reading requirements.

That has worked really well in all ways, including my photography.

I guess if you want to avoid glasses all together varifocal for your eye lens replacement makes sense.

On our UK NHS and on my private health insurance the varifocal lenses aren't covered. My surgeon also advised that a number of people do have issues with them.

All the best with your operation. I couldn't believe how simple it was. Absolutely no pain, I couldn't even feel what he was doing. He warned me I would hear a little vacuum sucking out the old lens and I heard him asking a nurse to hand him the new lens. That was it.

Frank95023 Loc: Hollister, CA

I opted for toric distance lenses (to correct astigmatism) mostly due to the cost. My distance vision is 20/20 now but boy did my near vision take a hit. Couldn't see the dials or menu on my Pentax. I discovered the progressive readers by Foster Grant worked great for near and PC monitor distance. Less than $40 a pair. The bad part was mis-placing the readers or having to take them on/off to focus then view the screen or dials. I never could find a pair of half frames to just look over the tops of the lenses. I did end up getting a set of glasses that has very little correction for distance and transision to darken in the sun. FWIW: research your Dr. carefully. I've heard so many horror stories of botched surguries (my mother was one of them).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Check out clicks. I used these before I had to get Rx glasses. They hang on your neck. Hard to loose them.
http://www.clicmagneticglasses.com/

ricardo00

Please let us know what you decide and how it works out. I am sure I will eventually need cataract surgery and have heard stories, both bad and good. And this is a very tough decision from what I understand.

Frank95023 Loc: Hollister, CA

Oh yeah the old Croakies. I did try them and it just didn't work out for me.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

I was told that I was not a good candidate for multi focal corrective lens so I choose to correct for distance. No glasses needed to drive but need 2.0 - 2.5 reader for close up, which is a pain sometimes. No problems with halos or focusing with my camera. Need the readers to check camera settings, which is also a pain when in the field.
A friend went the multi focal route but still needs readers at times.

Good luck with your choice.

Don

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Also - check with your insurance provider. Some will cover single vision but NOT the multifocal. They won't even pony up the single vision price and let you cover the rest. And THAT is a Total Scam !!

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

I've had both eyes done, at the recommendation of the opthalmologist single vision in both eyes , very pleased with the results, I do have bifocals and adjust the diopter on the camera. no halos or other issues.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

My doc gave me a choice and after asking every person I could find, I chose the regular lenses. In most cases, the automatic lenses didn't work so well after 2-3 years. At $2,000 each eye, I would have liked a better result. What we did do, is make my dominant (right) eye slightly more distance oriented and my other eye (left) for slightly closer orientation. I still test 20/20 more than 7 years later.

If you don't know which eye is dominant, put your camera eye piece up to the eye you usually use. That's the dominant eye. If you don't ever use a camera, point to a target (any object). Close one eye, keeping your finger still pointing to the object. Which ever eye is still seeing the object being directly pointed at is your dominant eye. The other eye will show the object not in the right position. (I had to make sure that someone knew how to look through the eyepiece of a camera. One time, a twenty something, put her cell phone over her eye.)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

How long did is take to get used to with one near and one far lens?