Cataract surgery and monovision

[wodin]

Having lost central vision in one eye while in my fifties, I had to compensate somewhat to decreased depth perception, and I found that I had a few misconceptions.

1. I didn't completely lose it, as peripheral vision provided some.
2. Parallax depth perception only really functions out to about ten or fifteen feet, after that we judge distance by other clues like perceived size of objects.
3. The only real difficulty I had was when an object was flying towards me and I tried to catch or bat at it. If someone tossed my golf ball to me on the green, I'd just step out of the way and go pick it up. An no tennis, badminton, baseball, volleyball, etc.

If you have natural monovision, I doubt that you'd lose any depth perception from just clearing away the fogginess that is cataracts.

I had cataract surgery in both eyes a few years ago. I went with correcting both eyes for distance vision, a choice I do not regret. This even though while my right eye was corrected to 20/20 my left eye is at best 20/40 vision due to retina problems including macular degeneration. I can't imagine trying to focus with one eye corrected (before surgery I could read sans corrective lens, but my distance vision required very strong lens) for distance and the other not. Now I need reading glasses, but it's worth it for not needing any correction other wise.

[CRussel]

I'm sorry I missed this thread. I've used monovision by way of contact lenses and Lasik for years, and find it _quite_ acceptable. My distance eye still provides clear, crisp vision while driving and I have sufficient vision in my near eye to have good depth perception while being able to read without glasses.

While there may be specific use cases where mono-vision isn't a good idea (such as KK), for ordinary folks, it works really well. I've gotten to the point where I can no longer reliably wear contact lenses on a daily basis, and have had to give up and go with glasses for reading. But I'm also getting close to that cataract point, and I know I'll be opting for monovision there.

[BenG]

I had the second surgery yesterday and went with distance for both eyes, partly because the vision in the right eye (done last week) isn't quite 100%. Hopefully that will be corrected in 2 or 3 months when they fix the cloudiness in the membrane that holds the lens in place, an office procedure than doesn't involve surgery.
Also I have some floaters, so if both eyes are the same, one eye will compensate if they pass in front of the pupil in the other.

I have good distance vision and decent intermediate without correction. The left eye is still a little blurry from the surgery yesterday and is still dilated some.

I bought some drug store reading glasses today (+1.00 diopter) and they work well enough until I see my optometrist next week.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by BenG

I had the second surgery yesterday and went with distance for both eyes, partly because the vision in the right eye (done last week) isn't quite 100%. Hopefully that will be corrected in 2 or 3 months when they fix the cloudiness in the membrane that holds the lens in place, an office procedure than doesn't involve surgery.
Also I have some floaters, so if both eyes are the same, one eye will compensate if they pass in front of the pupil in the other.

I have good distance vision and decent intermediate without correction. The left eye is still a little blurry from the surgery yesterday and is still dilated some.

I bought some drug store reading glasses today (+1.00 diopter) and they work well enough until I see my optometrist next week.

Thanks for the update and good luck!

[BenG]

Thanks, Kenny.
The surgery itself probably took a little over 10 minutes. Before that I was in a gurney for about an hour while they put about a dozen eye drops in and asked me 4 times for my name and birth date and which eye was being operated on.
Then they moved me to a room for about 10 minutes to prepare me for the Ludovico treatment ... uh, surgery.
I received some anesthesia, but not enough to put me under (the eye drops deaden the eye). I was aware of everything during the surgery, but I'm not sure exactly when they took the lens out and replaced it. Then I waited about 5 minutes while they unhooked everything and put a clear shield over my eye. Then they gave me Sprite and Ritz crackers with peanut butter and a few pills and a sheet of instructions and sent me on my way. I was there about 3 hours.

I had to return to the doctor's office later in the day for a check up (and to pay him).

[wodin]

Originally Posted by BenG

Thanks, Kenny.
The surgery itself probably took a little over 10 minutes. Before that I was in a gurney for about an hour while they put about a dozen eye drops in and asked me 4 times for my name and birth date and which eye was being operated on.
Then they moved me to a room for about 10 minutes to prepare me for the Ludovico treatment ... uh, surgery.
I received some anesthesia, but not enough to put me under (the eye drops deaden the eye). I was aware of everything during the surgery, but I'm not sure exactly when they took the lens out and replaced it. Then I waited about 5 minutes while they unhooked everything and put a clear shield over my eye. Then they gave me Sprite and Ritz crackers with peanut butter and a few pills and a sheet of instructions and sent me on my way. I was there about 3 hours.

I had to return to the doctor's office later in the day for a check up (and to pay him).

That was my experience too except for that part where the keep asking me if I've traveled to West Africa, or been in contact with anyone who has.

[Carmelreader]

I am supposed to have my left eye done on the 24th. I am nearsighted and have worn glasses or contacts since I was 12. I have been taking my glasses off to read for about 5 years now, and to cook and on the computer (which gets closer and closer all the time). The cataract has meant that I have gotten progressively more and more nearsighted in the last year. I had thought I would go with a nearsighted lens rather than the usual far because it is what I am used to. Also the other eye isn't really ready for a new lens yet. My appointment is next week for measurements and a decision. Anyone have any experience with having a near sight lens that is not for monovision? Or someone who was nearsighted and what choice did you make?

[Sydney's Mom]

I was extremely nearsighted (-750). I had PRK and one eye is slightly far sighted, and one eye is nearsighted (-100). I was not happy when this was the result, but I had had 5 surgeries, and I was done.

13 years later, I love it. It takes about a day for your brain to make the switch. After that, it is automatic. As I see my husband struggling with reading glasses, I am happy with my choice. I recently got my eyes checked (and found out that I should be going every year, because my eyeball is still -700) and asked to get my vision checked. It is pretty spot on-20/20 for near and 20/30 for far. The Dr didn't listen to me, and corrected both lenses. It made me dizzy when I first put them on. He wanted me to try them, but I didn't want to fool with my sight-I had them replace the non-working eye with glass, and so I have a pair for reading and one for distance. Now, my distance not as good as yours, because I have only one eye. I cannot judge how far I am from another car. I always leave too much room. The Dr said if I got both eyes corrected, my vision would be perfect. But then I have to go back to wearing glasses again. After 42 years with coke bottles, I love being able to wake up and look at the clock (and roll back over!)

So, I didn't intend for mono vision, but I am really glad I have it.

[kindlekitten]

La! The "look at the clock " effect! That was my litany for so many years! And people who didn't know just couldn't understand!

[Carmelreader]

Well, I went for measurements for the IOL today. They are going to target for a -2.50 which will be nearsighted, but not too badly. About what I was in that eye 7 years ago, the dr. said. I think I will be happy with that. Hopefully. I am -2.75 in the other eye. I have always been in this range up until about 2 years ago when the cataract got going. It got up to -6.75, but they wouldn't make glasses for me because of the difference in strength. So we will see. I will be so glad to get this over with.

[Cordes]

I had undergone a cataract surgery in San Antonio about a year ago.
http://www.southtexaseyeinstitute.com/cataracts/
I had it on the right eye first and waited for 2 weeks for the left eye. I had both my eyes focussed for distance vision. If you prefer one eye for reading there are chances of getting squint eye or even double vision. Talk to your eye specialist and seek an expert solution.