cataract surgery bifocal lens

[notrub]

The local Eye doctor here in Buriram has offered  mono lens for 20,000 and bifocal for 60,000 baht, one eye only to start.  He has a good reputation here. Any comments on having the surgery done at all as I can still see pretty OK.  As in, do only as last resort or not too bad or ?  Also comments on bifocal lens please.  Would that split my vision and be difficult to adjust to?  I only wear reading glasses now for low light and small print and the doctor says that with a fixed focus mono lens I may have to use reading glasses for close up vision.  He is proposing one eye only for a start.  Any comments please?  Thank you

[ezzra]

Ok, I just had a cataract surgery in Melbourne and there they don't go for

bi/tri-focal lenses, they give one eye for reading and the other for

distance vision, or you can have both eyes for distance vision,

this seems to be the most preferred methods favored by the top eye

surgeons in Oz.....

[lopburi3]

Although bi focal has been available for an extended period it is still not covered by most insurance as they believe cheaper in long run for mono and paying for reading glasses.  There do seem to be more problems with the bi focal lens and placement seems to be more critical (and an issue if they move at all).  I had mono.

 

I would get a second opinion before doing if you are happy with current vision - it is low risk but there is always some involved.

 

As mentioned above there is also the one close/one distance - but that is a brain issue for some people.  Not much of an issue using reading glasses, especially if older, as it is something most people do.  But remember you probably will also need another pair for computer use - so can understand the desire to have one lens do all.

[Sheryl]

Cataract surgery is indicated only when the cataracts are signifcantly interfering with vision.

 

There is no justification for doing the surgery prior to that time. The fact that your doctor is urging you to have the surgery done when your vision is still OK, is reason enough to permanently change doctors IMO.

 

In addition, the progressive (bifocal) lens he is pushing have at best a mixed track record.

 

I reocmmend you do nothing until such a time as you find the catarcts are interfering with daily living. At which point do some careful research and get several opinions before deciding whether to go for the more expensive biofocal lens.