Cataract surgery and lens choices

Welcome @nathanstrahl, Your story sounds similar to mine. I have always worn glasses but when I had to have cataract surgery for both eyes my eye surgeon discussed the options with me. I had an astigmatism in my right eye and thought about getting the toric lens so that I wouldn't need glasses for driving or reading. After a long discussion with my Mayo eye surgeon on the advantages and disadvantages I opted to get the lens for far and intermediate vision which allows me to drive without glasses. I do need them for reading small print and sometimes when using the computer but overall I am satisfied that I got the lens that allow me to see distances vs closeup and reading. It's good to have an honest discussion with your eye surgeon before having the cataract surgery.

You might find this Mayo Clinic newsletter on the topic helpful for choosing the right lens for you - https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/n7-mcnn/7bcc9724adf7b803/uploads/2014/05/MCHL201405.pdf

I do get along without glasses but I opted to purchase a pair of reading glasses and another set for using the computer. Both with the correction for reading close up. Are you able to discuss your options with your surgeon?

@johnbishop
Which lens did you choose for each eye?

@nathanstrahl - I chose the same type of intraocular lens for both eyes which gave me pretty close to normal vision for both eyes.

I chose the same lens for each eye. I went the less expensive route which is perfect for me. Yes, I do need readers for close up reading, computer, etc but love my improved distance sight. I was used to wearing glasses and realized I'd need readers after a few years so opted for the less expensive lens. Talk with your eye professional but I was AMAZED how my sight improved after the surgery!!!

Before my cataract surgery last fall, I wore contact lenses for many many years. Most recently I had dual vision contacts, meaning one contact lens was for reading and the other lens was for distance. Because of this, I was able to do the same thing with my cataract lenses -- the lens in my right eye is weaker strength so I can see up close pretty clearly. The lens in my left eye is for distance. It works so great for me that I don't even need cheaters for reading, which I needed prior to my cataract surgery. I am getting glasses for driving to bring my right eye up to 20/20 for distance. Anyway, I know that's probably not an option for you, but I wanted to share my experience as I am so pleased with the results.

Do you recall the name of the lenses you chose?

I had my cataract surgery two years ago so I am sure there are newer lenses that have been out since that time but my recommendation to ensure that you are selecting a lens that has a good 'track record' so often that might mean not necessarily the latest lens unless it has been used elsewhere for awhile. I was very near-sighted prior to my cataract surgery, using contact lenses my entire adult life. My cataract surgery recommended the J & J Eyehance lens which is a lens for distance and intermediate distance. In my dominant eye, he used that lens to fully correct for distance/intermediate. In my right eye, since I had some astigmatism, he used the Eyehance Toric lens but he didn't correct fully, going for a mini-monovision, so that I would be able to work on my computer, take out my iPhone, and unless there was very small print, be free of reading glasses for a good percentage of the time. It's worked fantastic for me. The only time I need reading glasses for very small print; otherwise, I'm free of reading glasses and see 20/20 distance wise because of the correction of my dominant eye. I went with the lenses that my cataract recommended and I'm glad I did. At that time - and I don't if it's still true -but some of the lenses that corrected for both distance and reading had a higher incidence of people seeing halos and other unwanted vision disturbances. I think, as peoples' eyes are different, a seasoned cataract surgeon is probably in the best position to determine which lens would be the best for you, noting the pros and cons for the lens versus alternatives. What's a good lens for one person may not be the best for another.

I have been prescribed eye drops such as LATANAPROST; NOW TIMOLOL MALEATE for eye pressure
I seem to have extreme fatigue, depression ,tiredness; and chills at times also
should I go off these, or are there other solutions to this condition??

@nathanstrahl My lenses were made by Alcon Vision. They were a lense that Medicare covered. Hope this helps.

They were called Clarion.