Multifocal Lens Implants for Musicians

Question: I am scheduled to have cataract surgery in a couple of weeks.  I am thinking about multifocal lens replacement with ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implants, which is the only multifocal, type my cataract surgeon recommends and will use.  It will cost an additional $2,000 per eye.  My concern is whether the implants will improve my vision enough to be able to focus on reading music from a little more than arms length to twelve inches or so without any distortion.  I wear progressive lenses and I'm having difficulty reading music now.  Progressive lenses don't work because as I move across the page, the focus wavers.  Mono lenses are a problem because I have to read at different distances and I can't maintain my focus.  Are the ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implants going to solve my problem reading music?  What have you heard from musicians who have had this surgery?

Answer: If you are seeking clear vision at 12 inches through arm’s length, you are attempting to optimize the clarity for an intermediate range of vision. The ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implants might be able to provide you with this, but it may also require some adjustment of your distance vision and absolutely complete correction of any preexisting astigmatism that you have. Might is the  operative word here as the ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant is not typically recognized as having its nest performance in the  intermediate range of vision. You really need to carefully discuss with your cataract surgery including providing him or her with the precise distances that are you seeking clear vision for. Regarding the other issue of distortion, it is not likely to be a problem with this lens.

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