If you are considering multifocal lenses, you must be prepared for the probability of a few relatively minor side effects unrelated to mixing lenses.
For example, I do see halos and mild starbursts around light sources at night. These "light shows" are gradually diminishing. I can now drive safely at night, especially considering what I experienced with cataracts and the huge starbursts they caused from oncoming headlights. I find wearing multifocals, even with night halos associated with both lenses, an acceptable tradeoff. Overall, my night vision now is significantly better in terms of seeing contrast and details. Of course, I naturally would prefer not to see halos at all.
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The ReZoom multifocal IOL is designed to deliver balanced view optics,
according to the manufacturer. Diagram supplied by Advanced Medical Optics and Dr. William Fishkind. |
In some indoor, low light conditions, vision is not absolutely, perfectly sharp. If you use cameras, you might understand the analogy of taking a photo in "available light" versus using flash. Available light photos can be in focus, but they don't have the crispness of a photo taken with flash. Both types of images are focused and look good, though. So this is how I sometimes see through multifocals in low lighting indoors, as though the scene were photographed in available light with a good but not crisp result.
Daytime distance vision is beyond excellent, however. I see better in the great outdoors than I ever have in my life, even in younger years. Details are intricate, from individually defined feathers on birds to the fine detailing of rock walls. I delight in being outdoors with my multifocal lenses, especially now that my bright color vision has been recaptured with the elimination of cataracts.
Near vision could be better, but it's acceptable. For example, I don't just automatically read tiny print. I need to adjust the distance first and then concentrate on reading extremely fine print. Regular reading is better, but requires adequate lighting. I would be out of luck trying to read a menu with fine print in a dark restaurant.
I may need computer glasses eventually, just for the additional clarity. But I'm giving adaptation a try before turning to any kind of "crutch" for now. I spend many hours in front of the computer, so obviously I've been able to manage with the vision I have without eyeglasses.
The main point here is that I've functioned quite well for weeks now, at all distances, without needing eyeglasses. And I do believe that mixing the two currently U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved multifocal lenses, the ReZoom and ReStor, is a good option for qualified candidates.
Had the two lenses not been mixed, I absolutely would have needed eyeglasses for reading fine print or for computer work. With this option, however, I can function comfortably and normally with the vision I now have even if I never wear eyeglasses again.
If you are a perfectionist, hard to please and have been satisfied with the vision (corrected or uncorrected) you have currently, you might not be a good candidate for multifocal intraocular lenses. You must be prepared for somewhat of a tradeoff, with the understanding that you are unlikely to fully recapture the kind of vision you had as a 20-year-old in exchange for potentially being able to see at all distances.
Remember that surgical outcomes vary, sometimes depending on surgeon skill and experience. Make sure you discuss with your eye surgeon all options that are available to you, as well as potential problems and complications. Be sure that you know what additional payment might be required if you require an enhancement, such as LASIK, following a multifocal lens implant.
The type of vision errors you have and your basic eye health also will determine whether you are a good candidate for mixing multifocal intraocular lenses. Keep in mind that all eye surgery has risks, some of them sight-threatening in rare cases.