a lens implant that will allow me to thread a needle

Hello @1995victoria, I am not a medical expert but I think it may be possible to help you see closer with the right type of cataract lens. I talked with my Mayo eye surgeon prior to my cataract surgeries and explained my main concern was being able to drive without glasses so it was an easy choice for me to choose being able to see at distances rather than close up. I do need reading glasses for small print when shopping but that's about it. Here's an article that explains how to choose.

-- Choosing the Right Cataract Lens Option for Surgery
https://www.healthline.com/health/cataract-lens-options
My choice was easy. My eye surgeon asked if I wanted to see near or far distances and I chose far distances. Have you had a chance to discuss choices with your eye doctor or surgeon?

yes, I wanted to see near.....and surgeon thinks arm's length is near. I can't thread a needle at arm's length, I don't hold a book at arm's length. So I'm not happy with my left eye, and don't want to have my right eye done until I can be assured that I will be able to see close between 6-10 inches.

There is no perfect IOL. Some are single vision with good optical quality that can provide distance, or near (even extremely close), or a combo with one eye distance and one eye near (a continuum of blends), multifocal IOLs which split the light providing distance and near in the same eye, or a new type of lens called Light Adjustable Lens.

All IOLs have pros and cons.

Most folks do not choose ultra close vision as this is counter to a broader capability for normal life functions, choosing either both distance, or a blend of some sort (a common target for the near eye is -1,25 diopters of sphere). Wearing readers is the most common solution for ultra close.

I'm not a med pro, but I would not recommend one of both eyes being so myopic it would affect mid and distance.

I would think twice about cataract surgery unless absolutely necessary. I have heard too many stories.

I agree that you would never want to have cataract surgery unless you truly have a cataract where your lens is cloudy and causing vision problems. If you do there are lenses that provide some magnification. I know this becuase I have one that allows me to read without glasses. I do not know if there are lenses that would be good enough to thread a needle and this is something I have not tried to do. And even if I could, it would not mean you could. If you have a true cataract this would be a reasonable question to ask your eye surgeon.

@1995victoria I have no advice other than I seen a video to help you and maybe others to thread a needle . They took a piece of masking tape and folded it over the end of the thread. Stick the corner thru the hole and tear the end off and get a hold of the thread . I haven’t tried it but if it’s helps it’s worth mentioning. Best of luck with your eyes

She already asked her surgeon and got an ambivalent answer, in my opinion. I would find another physician quite frankly. That doctor did not sound tuned in to the patient. Sewing is obviously important to her, and she is receiving cavalier responses.

I don't know who told you that there were no near sighted lens. If it was an eye surgeon, I would find a different one because those lens have been around for years! When I had cataract surgery 10 years ago one lens was for close up/reading and one lens was for distance. It worked out perfectly!

Yes, I should have walked out. He came highly recommended, but he is not touching my good right eye. I'm an accountant, and can't read bills an arm-length away.

Were you a high myope prior to surgery?