Multi-focal vs Mono-focal Lens for Cataract Surgery

[qualtrough]

Following a recent recommendation here, I went to a hospital today to have my eyes checked for cataract surgery. Unlike the first doctor I went to several years ago, this doctor was very enthusiastic about the multi-focal lens vs  a mono-focal. He told me he had recommended those for his father. 

 

I have read up on both these lens types and understand the differences. Some of the studies I have seen are several years old and dealt with an earlier generation of multi-focal lens so I am not sure what the current status of the debate is vis a vis their respective merits.

 

I am relating this here because I would really appreciate hearing from anyone with experience good or bad with either lens. Right now I am scheduled to go the multi-focal route, but could change that if I see persuasive evidence arguing against it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[lopburi3]

Being conservative I went single focus, partly due to it being paid for by insurance where multi is not and being old reading glasses are a normal fixture (and cheap).  As my previous life was always having near focus and no distance vision it has been rather hard to get used to not being able to see that screw hole without glasses - and also need slight correction for computer so end up wearing glasses a good part of the time.  If paying myself today believe would opt for multi focal - but remember that could also add to expense later if there are issues.

[mtls2005]

I would get an eye exam, which should result in a prescription for distance, reading and/or multi-focal.

 

Multi-focal lenses have been around for quite a while; I've been using them for close to 20 years.

 

What issues concern you?

 

There have been quite a few threads here re: multi-focal lenses. I guess some people have issues adjusting to them; I never did. I recently got an eye exam here and got new multi-focal lenses put in to my 20 year old frames; I then ordered a back-up pair from Zenni.

[lopburi3]

We are talking IOL lens here (the lens that replaces your natural lens inside your eye).  There is no frame involved and they are not installed by Zenni.  

[sabaijai]

I had a cataract removed last year at Rutnin Eye Hospital. I was given a choice of adaptive or fixed lens. The ophthalmologist said one of the more noticeable differences between the two is that a fixed lens will give you better/clearer vision for distance than any adaptive lenses. He also noted that his patients who have chosen fixed lenses have generally ended up happier with the results than those who have chosen adaptive.

 

Even with fixed lenses the distance vision isn't guaranteed to be perfectly clear as there are several factors at work and the prescription choice, though based on careful measurements, still has margin for error. Distance vision is important to me for my work, so I opted for the fixed lens.

 

Much to my surprise, after the surgery I was still able to read with that eye the same as I did before surgery. I still use reading glasses for long bouts of reading or for very fine print (same as before). My doctor said this happens occasionally.

 

This was my second cataract surgery. I had the first eye done nine years ago, also at Rutnin. The more recent one resulted in better distance vision. Not sure if that's because the lens is better than what was given to me 9 yrs ago or if the older lens is deteriorating. Reading close up is out of the question with that eye, so it's only the eye with the newer IOL that can read.