“Will I still be nearsighted after cataract surgery?”
I am a 45 year old female. I wonder if I will still be nearsighted after cataract surgery?
7 Answers
The new lenses inserted during cataract surgery can correct refractive vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia. Nearsightedness is when you have trouble clearly seeing things that are far away. Generally, after two to three months after cataract surgery, your vision should be clear. If you have any residual farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism (which could not be corrected with the available lenses), you will need glasses. To reduce this need for glasses, consider laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK or PRK.
Your refractive state following cataract surgery depends on the surgeons choice of intraocular lens. You must tell the surgeon what he should aim for. The result is usually very close to the outcome chosen. Good luck.
Typically not, this depends on what lens is placed in your eye based on a discussion you have with the surgeon. Frank Cao
You should not be nearsighted after cataract surgery unless you discuss it with your surgeon and you want to be set at near to recreate your myopic vision
That is up to you and your surgeon. Your prescription changes after cataract surgery, so your vision can be set for distance or near, that is something that you and your surgeon would have to discuss.
There are several factors which may impact your need to wear glasses after cataract surgery. These include:
Your overall eye health
Whether you have astigmatism
Your current eyeglass prescription
The type of intraocular lens (IOL) used during your procedure
The IOL you choose matters.Traditional IOLs are monofocal. This means that they are only able to focus clearly at one visual point. If you choose a monofocal IOL, you may see clearly at distance, but still require glasses for near vision tasks after cataract surgery. Also, Traditional IOLs do not correct for astigmatism, which occurs if there is an irregular curvature of the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye over the lens, the iris and the pupil), causing vision problems. In other words, your nearsightedness can be corrected, but you may see blurry and still require glasses to focus your vision for both distance and near and vision tasks after cataract surgery. However, recent advances in IOL technology have resulted in a wide range of High Tech IOL options. Many High Tech IOLs are multifocal and provide you with the ability to focus clearly at multiple distances. In many instances, the use of a High Tech IOLs will reduce, if not eliminate entirely, your need for glasses after cataract surgery. Astigmatism can also be treated with laser assistance during cataract surgery. Other benefits of using High Tech (multifocal) IOLs include:
Better range of vision
Improved vision in a wide range of lighting conditions
Improved ability to read and perform other near vision tasks
Dr. Edwin M. Schottenstein offers several High Tech IOL options in addition to traditional monofocal IOLs. These include:
Toric IOLs — Toric IOLs are an excellent option if you have astigmatism, a condition that occurs as a result of having a cornea that is oval-shaped instead of round. Prior to the development of toric IOLs, patients with astigmatism always needed glasses after cataract surgery. By choosing a toric IOL, you may be able to eliminate your dependence on distance glasses after surgery, but you still will require glasses for near vision tasks.
Multifocal IOLs — Multifocal IOLs allow you to focus clearly at multiple distances. Not only will these IOLs be able to potentially eliminate the need for glasses after cataract surgery, but they are also an excellent option to combat the near vision issues associated with presbyopia.
Toric Multifocal IOLs — Toric multifocal IOLs are one of the newest and most advanced options available. They provide clear focus at all distances while allowing you to simultaneously correct for astigmatism.
It’s important to understand that High Tech IOLs are more expensive than traditional monofocal IOLs. Therefore, you’ll need to weigh the increased cost against the convenience benefits you’ll experience by reducing or eliminating your dependence on glasses. Dr. Edwin M. Schottenstein is one of New York City’s top board-certified ophthalmologists, completing years of rigorous training in specialized surgery, vision preservation, and restoration. His private practice, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, focuses on comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, and helping patients with ophthalmic manifestations of diabetes. Visit his website at www.eyedoctornycnow.com for more information.
Your overall eye health
Whether you have astigmatism
Your current eyeglass prescription
The type of intraocular lens (IOL) used during your procedure
The IOL you choose matters.Traditional IOLs are monofocal. This means that they are only able to focus clearly at one visual point. If you choose a monofocal IOL, you may see clearly at distance, but still require glasses for near vision tasks after cataract surgery. Also, Traditional IOLs do not correct for astigmatism, which occurs if there is an irregular curvature of the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye over the lens, the iris and the pupil), causing vision problems. In other words, your nearsightedness can be corrected, but you may see blurry and still require glasses to focus your vision for both distance and near and vision tasks after cataract surgery. However, recent advances in IOL technology have resulted in a wide range of High Tech IOL options. Many High Tech IOLs are multifocal and provide you with the ability to focus clearly at multiple distances. In many instances, the use of a High Tech IOLs will reduce, if not eliminate entirely, your need for glasses after cataract surgery. Astigmatism can also be treated with laser assistance during cataract surgery. Other benefits of using High Tech (multifocal) IOLs include:
Better range of vision
Improved vision in a wide range of lighting conditions
Improved ability to read and perform other near vision tasks
Dr. Edwin M. Schottenstein offers several High Tech IOL options in addition to traditional monofocal IOLs. These include:
Toric IOLs — Toric IOLs are an excellent option if you have astigmatism, a condition that occurs as a result of having a cornea that is oval-shaped instead of round. Prior to the development of toric IOLs, patients with astigmatism always needed glasses after cataract surgery. By choosing a toric IOL, you may be able to eliminate your dependence on distance glasses after surgery, but you still will require glasses for near vision tasks.
Multifocal IOLs — Multifocal IOLs allow you to focus clearly at multiple distances. Not only will these IOLs be able to potentially eliminate the need for glasses after cataract surgery, but they are also an excellent option to combat the near vision issues associated with presbyopia.
Toric Multifocal IOLs — Toric multifocal IOLs are one of the newest and most advanced options available. They provide clear focus at all distances while allowing you to simultaneously correct for astigmatism.
It’s important to understand that High Tech IOLs are more expensive than traditional monofocal IOLs. Therefore, you’ll need to weigh the increased cost against the convenience benefits you’ll experience by reducing or eliminating your dependence on glasses. Dr. Edwin M. Schottenstein is one of New York City’s top board-certified ophthalmologists, completing years of rigorous training in specialized surgery, vision preservation, and restoration. His private practice, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, focuses on comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, and helping patients with ophthalmic manifestations of diabetes. Visit his website at www.eyedoctornycnow.com for more information.
No one knows for sure until you get your eyes examined
