Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Cataract Surgery Side Effects & Glasses


Question: I have questions about glasses and side effects after cataract surgery. I have been nearsighted w/astigmatism since grade school and have always worn corrective glasses. Since about 13 years ago I wear progressive addition graduated lenses. I am a healthy, active 74 year old male with no night blindness or glare problems at night. Will cataract surgery now increase such risk? Right after cataract surgery, what will I be able to use for glasses?

Answer: The answer to your question about glasses and cataract surgery really depends on what you and your cataract surgeon decide in selecting the type of lens implant to use to correct your vision. For example, it is readily possible to correct your nearsightedness by carefully measuring and calculating lens implant strength. It is also possible to correct your astigmatism during your cataract surgery by using toric lens implants for astigmatism. Further, by using monovision cataract surgery and lens implant techniques-even with toric lens implants-it may be possible to give you some help with intermediate and near vision with the just the lens implants and no glasses. Finally, there are now accommodating lens implants that also correct intermediate and near vision with astigmatism. So-the answer to your question about what glasses you use really depends on what type of lens implants you are good candidate for an what you and your cataract surgery ultimately decides fits your lifestyle the best. Any side effects of night blindness and glare at night should be limited if your eyes are otherwise healthy and your surgery goes unremarkably with the possible exception that if you elect to have a multifocal lens implant to correct both your near and far vision, some of these very complex designs do in fact cause some night vision disturbance in some patients. The best next step is to seek out and schedule a consultation with the best cataract surgeon in your area and discuss all of the lens implant options that might be appropriate for you. Then, carefully relay your expectation and desires for how you would like your vision correction to end up in terms of the need for glasses or not. By sharing this information with your cataract surgeon they will be able to help you make the best choices.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

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