Chan Garrett

I had worn trifocal lens glasses for many years before I had my cataract surgery. I chose the option of having a corrective lens for close up vision in my left eye and a lens for distance in my right eye. It is amazing how quickly the brain adjusts to the difference. I have now experience over ten years of not needing glasses. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I had my cataracts done at the end of last year. I had been using progressive lenses for years which allowed me to use a single pair of glasses for very close in work all the way to diving distances and beyond. I was considering the multi-focus lenses, but decided against them because of the prospect of the halos that Old Coot mentioned and the information that my doctor gave me that the close in focus of the multi focus lenses are primarily intended to allow you to be able to read at normal reading distances without glasses and would probably not support my need for closer in sharpness which I wanted as a ship model builder. Those lenses were also not covered by insurance. As a result, I opted for "normal" lenses. My two replacement lens are slightly different. One is a bit sharper closer in and the other a bit sharper at far distances. I now use over the counter reading glasses for very close in work and for reading depending on the type size.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

My ophthalmologist is a photographer. He had implanted many different options in patients before 2008, when I had mine done. His recommendation was to stay away from the multi-focal lenses because of the halo effects all of his patients who got them had complained about. I opted for the distance vision correction with astigmatism correction (Alcon's toric lenses). I use readers or "reverse progressive" lenses.

Like you, I was severely nearsighted prior to surgery, and I also had moderate astigmatism. I have near 20/25 vision now, but need slight correction at a distance at night. In the daytime, my distance vision is fine without glasses.

I can see clearly enough from about five feet to infinity in good light. But I usually wear my progressives, mostly because it's a pain to take them on and off all the time. They're also photo gray (Transitions) sunglasses, which REALLY helps. I also got the anti-reflective coating, which is a huge advantage over uncoated lenses, for the same reason multi-coating helps camera lenses avoid flare.

Follow the doctor's recommendations regarding the eyedrops regimen needed during the healing process. Even now, I use lubricant eyedrops at least once a day. Dry eye is a sometimes annoying side effect of the surgery (but I have always had it).

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I got the "distance" lens in both eyes. For close-up, I use glasses from the Dollar Tree - $1.25 each.

sabfish

I got the multi-focal lenses (both eyes) about two years ago. My wife did the same about a year or two before I got mine. We are both very happy with the result. Prior to the surgery I used progressive lenses and had an astigmatism.
The doctor corrected the astigmatism as part of the replacement process. I saw halos for the first few months, but I no longer see or notice them. Only negatives, I need reading glasses (1.5 diopter) to read small things in dim light. In good light, I can read a newspaper or book without any correction. I have no problem with my photography. I see the viewfinders and back screens on my several cameras without problem. I can also use the computer without problem. My wife found that 1.5 diopter reading glasses let her see her computer screen more clearly, but not necessary for anything else. For some reason, that distance is somewhat problematic for her.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

If you are speaking about one eye corrected for distance and one corrected for near vision, my ophthalmologist recommended not to have this done. About 10% of her practice is replacing such lenses pushed by another group in this area.

It they have a new lens with a built in refractive correction (like progressive lenses) then consider that they would have to be inserted exactly as designed.

CaltechNerd Loc: Whittier, CA, USA

No cataracts but I've had bifocals for many years. I finally got a second pair of glasses specifically focused on computer screen distance. The entire lens is at this distance. I LOVE it. It also works well for viewing art at a museum where the bifocal line gets in the way.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Most people have SOME kind of glasses. The subject at hand is cataract lenses.......

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

For me it took a day. Once my second eye was done and took off the bandage and eye protection (while sleeping) I was real happy how well I could see.
That was almost 30 years ago, and I still have 20-20 vision when I renew my license.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice. Thanks.
I'll be needing them in a while and was considering one near and one far.
Which lens is in your dominant eye?

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

My right eye is dominant. It has great far vision while the left has near vision.
I'm 74 now, I use glasses (progressive) if I watch a lot of TV, or read a book.
For computer work I don't wear them.

MJPerini

My wife just had her first eye done and she opted for single focal length for distance.
From our research the multi focal length seem to work better in theory than in practice.
The single focal length seem to be more trouble free over time.

lenben Loc: Seattle

Cataract removal is corrected with the placement of a new lens inside your original lens capsule. It is living tissue, but best preserved intact until the eye heals. About 20% of those capsules will grow a thin layer of lens material which disturbs the vision (termed capsular fibrosis). An ophthalmologist ( not an optometrist ) can open that permanently with a YAG laser which instantly restores the vision. An outpatient, painless procedure.

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

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.


You are clearly not a pilot. The FAA takes a dim view of your approach. I'm glad it has worked for you, but it is not an option for pilots. Oh well...

CAS1951 Loc: San Diego

Are you referring to intraocular lens replacement along with the cataract removal? If so, I actually had this done (I have horrible astigmatism and nearsightedness). I had to have toric lenses placed and I love them! For the first time in my life I could see without contact lenses or glasses. I do need glasses to read, but I just buy the cheap reading glasses one can get off Amazon/Walmart or a drug store. If you can afford it, do it!