Lens Implants after LASIK

Question: I had cataract surgery in my left eye 10 days ago. I have terrible halos, rings and pentagon shaped bright lights around all lights at night that are unbearable. I also have blurriness for distance that is much worse than before surgery and double vision. I had LASIK done with monovision 5 years ago with relatively good success. I'm 59 years old. Yesterday my cataract surgeon told me the best solution is to remove my Technis® Lens Implant he had put in as soon as possible and put in a monovision lens or a Crystalens® lens before doing the left eye. I have astigmatism. Which do you think I should choose for my eyes?

Answer: Lens implants after LASIK can be tricky. Depending on the type of LASIK you had and the presence of corneal aberrations, as well as any contrast reduction from the LASIK flap-one needs to VERY carefully select the type of lens implant AND consider optical aberrations and if they are going to interfere with lens implant optical performance. Further, the multifocal lens implants in and of themselves cause many of the symptoms you are describing. You need to have an aberrometry, a careful examination of the placement and position of the lens implant and a determination of the likely cause of your symptoms-only then will it be possible to make the best choice. Certainly the lowest risk choice is to avoid the multifocal or accommodative lens implant and stay with a monovision correction. Last, if you have a meaningful amount of astigmatism this needs to be carefully considered as well so as not to leave it uncorrected. Both the monovision option with a toric lens implant or a Crystalens® toric lens implant can hopefully address that for you. 

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