Ask a doctor: What kind of eye surgery should I get?

November 17th, 2008, 6:00 am · Post a Comment · posted by Jennifer Muir

A reader who needs eye surgery on one eye asks a doctor whether the surgery should enhance her up-close vision, or her ability to see long distances. The answer comes from Dr. Gabriel Dery, an Irvine optometrist, fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and assistant adjunct professor at the Southern California College of Optometry.

Here’s the question from a reader named Patricia:

I am a 73 year old female of general good health. I had cataract surgery in my left eye on 8/26/08 for distance and all is well. Now it is time for the right one to have cataract surgery. I have slight astigmatism and slight start of dry MD (taking 2 PreserVision tablets per day).

I need to make a decision as to the right eye and monovision. I did wear monovision contact lenses when I worked years ago and I did not have problems that I recall. My biggest problem has been and still is after left eye surgery - brightness and glare, even in the daytime.

In your opinion does monovision seem like a good decision or would both eyes for distance and wearing reading glasses be a better solution?

Thanks for any help you can be to me.

Hope to hear from you!

Patricia

Here’s Dr. Dery’s response:

Hello Patricia:
Yes, a good surgeon should be able to calculate the power of the implant in order to achieve monovision. That should not be a problem.
My question to you is: Why not have your surgeon give you a multifocal implant where you will be able to see far and near with the same eye. You will end up with what we call modified monovision. In other words, both eyes will have good distance vision and your left eye will be able to read comfortably. The fact that you have already used monovision, you should be able to get adjusted very quickly.
Which eye has the ARMD? If it is the left eye, then the multifocal implant with the near vision in the left eye will be perfect for you.
Good luck to you.
Dr. Dery

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