I had the surgery with toric replacement lenses a couple of years ago, and the outcome was what your doctor described: After a lifetime with glasses (since first grade), I go without them now, needing dollar-store reading glasses only for fine print and/or poor light. As a further reward I have the nice collection of cool sunglasses I always wanted! :-)

A lens to give me perfect distance vision is in my right eye, while the lens in my left eye focuses better on things like my computer, stove, piano, etc. They call it "mini-mono" vision.

I would do a search on cataract surgery here at the KT. There are several lengthy threads in which people have discussed their experiences.

You're lucky. Toric lenses have dropped in price dramatically! Good luck on surgery.

Had both done two years ago, exact same problem. I now have 20/20 vision and don't wear glasses. The surgery is a piece of cake, easy recovery. We went out to lunch after each procedure

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Yes, definitely do a search, Rhizo. I mentioned that hubby needs cataract surgery, he has cataracts in both eyes, one being much more aggressive than the other.

This was diagnosed the first of July and he has his surgery Sept 9, then the second eye Oct.5

The eye exam was covered by our provincial hospital insurance plan, because it was a medical issue. The surgery is also covered because it's done in the hospital........7-10 minutes, but the measuring of the eye for the artificial lens was not covered, so we had to pay $100.

He's really looking forward to it, because he can't see much, everything is cloudy. One thing that he did upon my (thanks the KT recommendation) is use No-Squint add-on for Firefox. He has it set so that all of the webpages are dark green and the print is white. It's the only thing that he's able to read.

I was evidently diagnosed *prematurely*. I had surgery on my right eye last year and paid for a toric lens. I gained very little -- and lost more than I gained.

Since I still have an un-operated eye, I can compare the vision between my eyes. The vision in my right eye is now *slightly* clearer than in my left eye and I have distant vision in that eye. I still need glasses to correct the astigmatism in that eye. In addition, the operated eye now projects an enlarged image over that of my un-operated eye and has lost it's ability to adjust for focus.

Another MD had planned to use a standard lens and correct for astigmatism surgically. That may have been a better solution for the astigmatism, but the fact remains that I didn't *require* cataract surgery at all.

Get another opinion -- or two! Try a new prescription first.

The aging population presents a huge financial incentive for doctors. Most Seniors have little or no out-of-pocket expense for cataract surgery. It's largely funded by Medicare or Medicaid.

One MD wanted to impress me with how experienced he is. He said he operates three days a week and does dozens of Medicare and Medicaid cataract surgeries every month. I saw several apparently mentally incompetent patients in his waiting room. Maybe he 'helps' them. He certainly helps himself.

rhizo I have a very similar eye situation, I am count fingers vision in both eyes with extreme astigmatism. My glasses are like coke bottles even in the new thin lens.
I ask my eye doctor every time if it is time for cataract surgery yet and he laughs at me. But he fully understands why I am anxious. It will be the first time in my entire life that I would be able to wake up and see the world, in my world there are only colored blobs and indistinct shapes, I can not move till I put my glasses on.
When I had contacts they were hard lens because they still don't make them that can correct my astigmatism, but I loved my contacts and wore them most of my life. But now with the Sjogrens which causes lack of moisture, I can't wear them any more.

Research all the different brands of the newest multi focal lens!!
there are some really great ones being made now.
Work with your doctor to choose the best choice for you and your eyes.
It will cost significantly more and you will have to pay it yourself but in my situation it will well be worth it.

My sister has very similar eyes to mine, She had her surgery and was not willing to pay for the extra so got the standard lens and was talked into getting the different prescription for each eye (one near one far) and she is extremely disappointed with them. She had the contacts like that and did well with them but she said for her the lens are just not working very well but she is stuck with them unless she is willing to pay for an entire new surgery and lens and she can't do that.

Many people go with the standard lens and continue to wear glasses to compensate for the rest of the correction.

My surgery had mixed results. I truly recommend getting more than one opinion and wish I had done that.

First of all, the procedure was fairly simple. In and out of the surgi-center in a few hours and most of that time was spent waiting. Have no fears about the procedure itself.

However, my doctor recommended getting monovision which is distance in one eye and near vision in the other. Theoretically you will not need glasses at all, not even readers. Unfortunately for me, I cannot adjust to the difference in vision in my two eyes and therefore am back to wearing glasses to correct the eye with near vision so I can see far. My glasses also have reading prescription. I was so disappointed as I had hoped to be glasses free after fifty years of wearing them.

My doctor is quite competent and affiliated with Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. I wish that I had tried my new prescription first using contact lenses. I also wish I had talked to more than one doctor.

Good luck, but do your research first.

I too recommend a second opinion. The surgery is a big step, and getting a couple of opinions and doing research is a worthwhile effort.

the sooner the better..fil had put off until the dr won't perform it now...(he has serious heath issues now)

this new lens is new to me as well...thank you for heads up...

rhizo_1 - I just want to say that the procedure is done under a local - at least in Ontario, Canada. My husband had cataracts removed (he still wears glasses - with a strong prescription - but apparently sees better than he ever did?!). Wonderful, I guess.

But I am terrified of having to have cataract surgery because I burn off locals and generals very quickly. I saw my husband being given the pre-surgery local - and they wheeled him away a short time later. If it had been me, the local would have worn off before the doctor left my bedside. I am far from being the only person with this issue. I can't take anything that would make the normal person drowsy - it has the opposite affect (and of course the non-drowsy products double that affect). Tylenol 3 is out because of the codeine. Sleeping pills are out for same reason. I once had the Cdn. equivalent of Ambien - well, 5 days later I was still up. So just in case you are one of the people who are very sensitive to being sedated I just thought I would mention it.

Procedures in themselves do not scare me. I had a large mole removed from my face - the doctor told me I wouldn't feel anything for at least 2 hours - well it was 5 minutes. The "happy shot" before general surgery does not take and so on.

I hope all goes well with your surgery and that you are not like me! But have it done - to both eyes.

So interesting to hear everyone's experiences. Everybody is different, that's for sure.

First, please know that I did have a second opinion. The other specialist pretty much repeated everything that my Dr. had outlined for me....only the new guy really tried to push me towards the multi-focus lenses.

I don't care if I have to have reading glasses, not one bit. I'm much more condident with my decision to go with the toric lenses.

I've been seeing this doctor for over ten years and have nothing but confidence in him. When he said that my perscription hadn't changed and that cataracts are the cause for my new difficulties, it made sense to me.

Insurance will cover everything but the increased cost for the toric lenses, which will be a total of $2000 for both. My measurements have been made on two separate visits and I've already picked up the three different eye drops I'll start using before and after the procedure.

I don't anticipate any problems with the anesthesia (s), nothing has ever bothered me before. I'm so sorry that you've had difficulties, eccentric. That must make things difficult for you.

I'm off to search the past posts...can't believe I didn't think to do that before. Thanks for the reminder. I'm wondering about infection, precautions, pain, etc.

Thanks, everybody!

Eccentric, whoever administered whatever form of anesthesia during a procedure, local or general, should have spoken to you in advance and should have been monitoring how you were doing along the way.

The fact that the medicine wore off and you were uncomfortable, and that nothing was done to relieve your discomfort, suggests you were dealing with an inept practitioner.

Rhizo -- Nothing to worry about with pain, infection, etc. One of the reasons cataract surgery is done so often is because it is virtually 'risk free' -- good for patient and MD. I wish you the best!

No choice for a 2nd opinion. Very pleased. No driving afterwards. Re-checked the next morning. Another follow-up eye exam will be scheduled soon. Always a risk for infection. Use the drops. Wore a hard patch for several days, don't bump it. No pain. Impressed with the vivid colors afterwards. Didn't opt for any extra $$$$ lenses, wearing glasses is fine. But my lenses are now clear glass, only have the bifocal for reading. Would not waste my money for designer sunglasses anyhow. Looks like you'll be fine.

I feel very positive about the procedures after having read the old threads! Thank you so much to everyone at the KT who takes the time to share their surgical or health experiences here.

We can learn a lot from each other.

P.S. Fixer, cute sunglasses are TOTALLY happening for me! I may have to shop for a pair tomorrow.....:-)

This post was edited by rhizo_1 on Tue, Aug 19, 14 at 19:01

Is there not a toric in the multi focal in your prescription? I definitely want the multi focal and thankfully my surgeon is very practiced in them and agrees the are awesome.
Trulign Toric IOL (Bausch + Lomb), I think does all. AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Multifocal Toric, too.
The thing I really would consider is going with the multi focal toric if it's available in your prescription. Research them.
I agree learning as much as possible is best, being pro active in our lives and health.

I paid $2,000 for my toric lenses too, Rhizo. I cashed in an insurance policy my parents took out for me when I was born. I figured they'd approve of me spending the money to see at last!