question on IOL (after cataract surgery)

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

kemccx@gmail.com - 22 Feb 2005 21:10 GMT

Might be a silly question, but - is everyone's -1.50 vision the same? I
had cataract surgery, and it resulted in -1.50, so my intermediate
vision is very good, but distance is very blurry. However, I've spoken
to people who have that vision and are able to drive. I would NEVER
attempt to drive, since my distance vision is so bad. I was wondering
if this is because my vision prior to surgery was approx. -6.50. I'm
starting to worry that my few weeks immediately following surgery was
in front of a computer - starting to obsess that perhaps that affected
the final outcome.

Reply to this Message

Glenn - USAEyes.org - 22 Feb 2005 22:20 GMT

There is a difference between quantity of vision and quality of
vision. Quantity can be measured in diopters (-1.50) or Snellen
(20/whatever). Quality is more likely measured with contrast
sensitivity or wavefront aberrometer analysis. Two people with the
same quantity can have very different quality and the other way
around.

Considering that if all went well with your cataract surgery and you
have a good IOL, the quality of your vision is probably pretty good.

I think the difference between you and your friend is the tolerance
for driving with poor vision. Rather than obsessing about your
vision, I'd obsess about not being on the road when your friend is
driving. 8^)

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

Reply to this Message

Jan - 23 Feb 2005 21:17 GMT

> There is a difference between quantity of vision and quality of
> vision. Quantity can be measured in diopters (-1.50) or Snellen
> (20/whatever). Quality is more likely measured with contrast
> sensitivity or wavefront aberrometer analysis. Two people with the
> same quantity can have very different quality and the other way
> around.

Hear hear, hitting the nail on the head.
Vision acuity or the left error in refraction after surgery (LASIK,LASEK,PRK
or implants) are not the only issues to consider BEFORE having surgery
done.

Signature

Jan (normally Dutch spoken)

Neither pro, nor anti, LASIK,LASEK,PRK etc......

Reply to this Message

kemccx@gmail.com - 23 Feb 2005 23:26 GMT

I understand that contrast sensitivity can be lost thru refractive
surgery, but can it also happen in cataract surgery?

Reply to this Message

Robert Kopp - 24 Feb 2005 18:52 GMT

On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 15:26:08 -0800, kemccx wrote:

> I understand that contrast sensitivity can be lost thru refractive
> surgery, but can it also happen in cataract surgery?

Yes, as a result of the development of cystoid macular edema, if that
happens. There may be other complications with a similar effect, for all I
know.

Signature

Robert T. Kopp

http://analytic.tripod.com/

Reply to this Message

Mike Tyner - 24 Feb 2005 19:41 GMT

>I understand that contrast sensitivity can be lost thru refractive
> surgery, but can it also happen in cataract surgery?

The risk is small.

Cataract surgery isn't likely to make the cornea less transparent. That
happens, to a very minor extent, in LASIK.

If cataract surgery reduces contrast sensitivity, it's more likely because
the cornea was slightly more irregular after the incision.

Both effects are negligible compared to the improvement most people get from
removing the opaque cataract.

-MT

Reply to this Message