Cataract surgery with Adjustable Lens implant - Huge Success

[JasoninDenver]

Recalling an earlier thread discussing options for cataract surgery and people’s range of outcomes, I thought I would provide an overview of my recent experience with implantation of a Light Adjustable Lens (LAL).

I have been nearsighted for most of my early life until undergoing RK surgery at 22. I then had 25 years of great vision until the RK results begin to deteriorate, as it apparently does. Fortunately, people having Lasik will not experience this regression.

In any event, my vision continued to deteriorate for several years before stabilizing at a level requiring glasses once again and then presbyopia gradually reared its ugly head as well. Bifocal lenses were mandatory and I could not tolerate contacts due to my astigmatism.

At my last annual exam, my Dr. saw very, very small cataracts in each eye. Initially I was bummed about yet another sign of aging until the Dr. mentioned that the new lens implants could solve much of my vision problems.

These LAL lenses are ideal for post RK patients because they are adjusted after the surgery by a targeted UV light device. Whereas most implanted lenses are a set shape and power requiring an educated guess by the Dr as to which lens to put in, these can be changed up to three times before a final set of “lock in” sessions.

In normal people without RK, these LAL implants let someone realize optimal vision up to 95% of the time versus non adjustable lenses. My doctor said I could experience optimal distance vision (requiring readers) or better close in vision and having to rely on glasses for distance vision. There was a very small chance that I would not need either. This would mean a perfect result that he could not ethically promise.

Well, after the procedure, I have dang near perfect vision. With RK, one’s vision can fluctuate during the day and it continues to do so now. However, my vision fluctuates between 20/20 and 20/25. The best part is I do not need readers at all for the first time in 15 years. My astigmatism has even been corrected.

The two downsides of the LAL lenses are the additional cost over and above what insurance pays (between $3,500 and $4,000 per eye) and the requirement that you have to wear specific (goofy) UV light blocking glasses until the final lock-in treatment which can be between 4 and 8 weeks after the surgery. However, the ability to get such spectacular results makes all of this worthwhile. Of all the people I have known who have had cataract surgery, I am the only one who has had a perfect result and I was a less than ideal candidate.

I may not look any better, but I see great.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Recalling an earlier thread discussing options for cataract surgery and people’s range of outcomes, I thought I would provide an overview of my recent experience with implantation of a Light Adjustable Lens (LAL).

I have been nearsighted for most of my early life until undergoing RK surgery at 22. I then had 25 years of great vision until the RK results begin to deteriorate, as it apparently does. Fortunately, people having Lasik will not experience this regression.

In any event, my vision continued to deteriorate for several years before stabilizing at a level requiring glasses once again and then presbyopia gradually reared its ugly head as well. Bifocal lenses were mandatory and I could not tolerate contacts due to my astigmatism.

At my last annual exam, my Dr. saw very, very small cataracts in each eye. Initially I was bummed about yet another sign of aging until the Dr. mentioned that the new lens implants could solve much of my vision problems.

These LAL lenses are ideal for post RK patients because they are adjusted after the surgery by a targeted UV light device. Whereas most implanted lenses are a set shape and power requiring an educated guess by the Dr as to which lens to put in, these can be changed up to three times before a final set of “lock in” sessions.

In normal people without RK, these LAL implants let someone realize optimal vision up to 95% of the time versus non adjustable lenses. My doctor said I could experience optimal distance vision (requiring readers) or better close in vision and having to rely on glasses for distance vision. There was a very small chance that I would not need either. This would mean a perfect result that he could not ethically promise.

Well, after the procedure, I have dang near perfect vision. With RK, one’s vision can fluctuate during the day and it continues to do so now. However, my vision fluctuates between 20/20 and 20/25. The best part is I do not need readers at all for the first time in 15 years. My astigmatism has even been corrected.

The two downsides of the LAL lenses are the additional cost over and above what insurance pays (between $3,500 and $4,000 per eye) and the requirement that you have to wear specific (goofy) UV light blocking glasses until the final lock-in treatment which can be between 4 and 8 weeks after the surgery. However, the ability to get such spectacular results makes all of this worthwhile. Of all the people I have known who have had cataract surgery, I am the only one who has had a perfect result and I was a less than ideal candidate.

I may not look any better, but I see great.

Fair play to you. I desperately need this too but I have a real phobia about my eyes and I'd have to be sedated for surgery.

I also have an extremely complex prescription so it's unlikely it would have the same success.

[colpol]

Can’t put a price on perfect eye sight

Great reading / glad it all worked out

[THC]

I too had RK surgery in the early 90s and am now with bifocals but staying put

Congrats OP

[brandrea]

Fantastic news Jason

Now you can enjoy your watches even more

[Dan Pierce]

Great to hear of your successful journey, Jason! My dad didn't require readers until he was 68. I made it to 55. Now we have 40 to 50 pair of readers strategically placed around the house, and garage, and car, and so on and so on........ ;-)
dP

[AzPaul]

Glad to hear it's worked out so well

[m j b]

I had not heard of this before, that sounds very interesting! I've been wearing glasses and/or contacts since I was about 8, and the idea of running around naked is quite appealing.

Naked head. Calm down.

[77T]

That's a real-life example of the in's and out's for people facing the options - as we all will after aging to the max.

Thanks for an open and honest "advantages and trade-offs" piece.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

Fair play to you. I desperately need this too but I have a real phobia about my eyes and I'd have to be sedated for surgery.

I also have an extremely complex prescription so it's unlikely it would have the same success.

When, and if, the time comes, don’t be surprised if this is offered as an option. My prescription was very difficult as well with the RK issues and astigmatism. I could not even wear most prescription sunglass frames as they could not handle the lenses that met my needs.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Fantastic news Jason

Now you can enjoy your watches even more

Did you know there is some additional text below the word “Rolex” on the dial
of a Sub?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Did you know there is some additional text below the word “Rolex” on the dial
of a Sub?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[White Collar Boy]

Excellent news it worked out perfectly for you Jason.

[emersm]

That's great news, Jason!

Hope you and the family are well

[Pw92676]

Great! Thanks for sharing your success story.

[Boothroyd]

Great news! Nothing like seeing 20/20 or better without glasses for the first time in life. I had cataract surgery in 2017, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by emersm

That's great news, Jason!

Hope you and the family are well

All good and heading to Maui in May! Hope you and the missus are doing great as well.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Great news! Nothing like seeing 20/20 or better without glasses for the first time in life. I had cataract surgery in 2017, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

Maybe getting old isn't all bad.

[Cassian739]

Great news!

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Maybe getting old isn't all bad.

I was really depressed when they said I had cataracts, and the aide told me, "You're going to like this". Glad it happened early in my case.

[Rock]

Thanks Jason. I am very interested to hear about your experience, particularly the LALs. I have worn spectacles full-time for all of my adult life - 60 years - for Astigmatism - short sightedness. At 70 years my Optometrist advised that I should consider Cataract surgery within 5 years. I have worn 'Graduated Lenses' for about 20 years but they no longer cope with the 'close-up' (computer screen/books) nor the long-distance (driving) so I guess my next stage is Cataract surgery. I had been a little intimidated by the need to make a call on whether to go for close-up or long-vision. I am thinking that as one gets into old age, probably close-up is more important. It would be great not to have to wear spectacles in some situations.

[TC94]

Originally Posted by Rock

Thanks Jason. I am very interested to hear about your experience, particularly the LALs. I have worn spectacles full-time for all of my adult life - 60 years - for Astigmatism - short sightedness. At 70 years my Optometrist advised that I should consider Cataract surgery within 5 years. I have worn 'Graduated Lenses' for about 20 years but they no longer cope with the 'close-up' (computer screen/books) nor the long-distance (driving) so I guess my next stage is Cataract surgery. I had been a little intimidated by the need to make a call on whether to go for close-up or long-vision. I am thinking that as one gets into old age, probably close-up is more important. It would be great not to have to wear spectacles in some situations.

My ophthalmologist recommended Extended Depth of Field lenses last year when it was finally time to get mine done. Said it’s what he would choose if he needed cataract surgery. They are identical monocular, meaning neither is specifically set for close up or distance. But they allow closer focus than standard lenses.

Basically I have 20/20 vision from normal hand position for reading all the way to max distance. This means computer screens, books, phone, menus, etc are all accessible without reading glasses now.

Still need glasses for small text or for extended computer sessions. I read on Kindle, so I made font slightly larger and now read without glasses.

Just one more option in a rapidly growing range of choices.