Glasses and cataract surgery ... what are your main options? |
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General rules |
Here are some common examples of options |
Case1...If your prescription is about +1.0d or -1.0d. in both eyes |
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Case 2..If both eyes are +5.00 or more |
Here there is a dilemma. If the eye being operated on achieves 0.00 (that is perfect distance vision without glasses), and the other eye is still +5.00, both eyes may not 'balance'. So the options include,
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Case 3..If both eyes are -3.0d |
Here there is another dilemma. If the eye being operated on achieves 0.00 (that is perfect distance vision without glasses) you will need reading glasses in that eye. So the options include, 1. trying to achieve -3.0d after the operation so there is no change you will need distance glasses, but see well for reading without glasses. Often varifocals are best. (And you will not need a second operation to balance the two eyes.) 2. trying to achieve 0d after the operation; but then you may not balance (and may need the other eye operating on) and you may need reading glasses 3. Operating on both eyes and try and achieve 0d in both eyes, so you
will not need distance glasses. You will of course need reading glasses,
which will be an extra +2.5 or so to your distance prescription, so you
may need a separate pair of reading glasses or varifocals. 4. Operating on one eye and try and achieve 0d. To balance the
other eye, the other eye may be prescribed a contact lens. Then you would
not need distance glasses. |
Case 4..If both eyes are -8.0d or more |
Here there are several options 1. trying to balance both eyes, so the surgeon may try to achieve -5.0d in the operated eye both eyes should still balance. You will still need glasses, but they will not be as thick. (And you will probably not need a second operation to balance the two eyes.) 2. trying to achieve -3.0d after the operation; both eyes may not balance though, and you may need the second eye operating on to balance. But if you are -3.0d you will not need reading glasses for that particular eye, although you will need distance glasses. 3. Trying to achieve 0d after the operation; both eyes will not balance
though, and you will usually need the other eye operating on. You will
need reading glasses, but you will not usually need distance glasses. |
Monovision |
This term describes the use of one eye for distance and one for reading. This is not very popular, but works for some people described in more detail
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Cases..others |
Naturally there will be many patients who do not 'fit' the cases above, but this outline helps you consider the options. |
The address of this site ('org' changing to 'nhs') is changing from http://www.goodhope.org.uk/departments/eyedept/ to http://www.goodhope.nhs.uk/departments/eyedept/ |
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