Your doctor has told you about the ever-present problem with all
multi-focal intraocular lenses (IOL): you will see halos around light
sources.  What the doctor obviously didn't say is what those halos
might mean to your day-to-day activities.

Halos can be severe enough to be almost totally debilitating in low
light environments.  You may not be able to drive at night.  You may
not be able to watch a movie in a dark theater.  You may never again
have a candlelight dinner and know what you are eating or who is
sharing the table with you.

Of course it is possible (emphasis on "possible") that your halos will
not be so severe and would only be a minor nuisance, causing only
minor restriction on your activities.

At age 45 presbyopia has undoubted caught up with you.  I recommend
that you try monovision with contacts (see
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/monovision.htm) to determine
exactly what it would be like.  About 2/3rds of people who try
monovision are happy with it and need reading glasses only
occasionally.

The idea of using a lens implant rather than LASIK is legitimate and
does seem reasonable, but I personally find the idea of implanting a
lens that you know is going to cause night vision difficulties as
foolishness.  A standard monofocal IOL may be a better choice.  Read
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/rle.htm

If you feel adventurous with your eyes, you might even consider the
new Crystalens.  See
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/crystalens.htm

You may also find our 50 Tough Questions For Your Doctor
(http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/tough_questions.htm) helpful.

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.

Run don't walk from that doc.  Prelex is the old Array "multifocal"
which will give you more than you want.  For no extra charge, you get
some dandy halos, starbursts, and very compromised vision at all
distances.  And you even get the risk of retinal detachment thrown in.  
If you're willing to take that risk at this point (as opposed to waiting
until you actually develop cataracts, when taking that risk is worth it
for sure), I'd recommend what I got, which is the Tecnis lens, an
optically correct silicone lens that provides spectacular clarity.  Try
monovision with contacts first, and find out how much undercorrection
you can stand in one eye, I'd guess about 1.00 max).  If you go with
full distance in both eyes, you will require reading/computer glasses
for sure. If mono, you will probably need like some weak glasses for
some functions, but they won't be required. Make sure you go to a
surgeon who has done a lot of  stitchless small incision work under only
local anesthesia, preferably one who specializes in cataract/lens
exchanges over one who "does it all".  Good luck.

w.stacy, o.d.

Posterior chamber implant surgery is serious business, especially for
someone who could achieve correction with a less invasive procedure.
Althought cataract surgery is one of the most often-performed
procedures, serious things can still happen.

If you can tolerate contact lenses, then stick with them.  If you are
unable to wear contact lenses, then LASIK, LASEK, or PRK might be
viable alternatives for your prescription.

DrG