Has anyone had

[Rebl2]

the experience after cataract surgery of not being able to see up close anymore. Had cataract surgery in August and now I can’t see up close any longer to do such things like see if I have an eyelash in my eye or groom my eyebrows. My aunt warned me this would happen, but didn’t really believe it. I believe it now!

[Nay]

1. I just had cataract surgery myself. During the consultation, the doc explained to me

that there were different lenses that could offer different options. Since I've always worn glasses because I was nearsighted, I chose to have lenses that focused on distance vision rather than closeup vision. I use drugstore reading glasses to give me very clear closeup vision.

There were several lenses that promised to give distance vision and also a good shot at closeup vision, but I had already talked to friends who had those lenses and they said that the closeup vision was NOT as good as their natural former closeup vision -- they were disappointed, mostly. One woman was happy with her lenses and said that it gave her enough closeup vision for her to be satisfied. The doc also told me that they couldn't guarantee that I'd have both distance and closeup, so I did not choose that option.

I believe there are also lenses that can give you closeup vision and not distance vision.

In any case, your doctor should have explained all of this to you before the operation so you could make a choice.

[zeusdogmom]

2. Depends on the kind of replacement lens your surgeon used.

How is your distant vision?

[Rebl2]

5. It's great

now in my right eye-20/20. My vision was really bad to begin with and has been since childhood. Then the cataracts made it worse and glaucoma in left eye on top of that. The surgeon said the lens that would allow close up vision would likely not work for me. I still need to wear glasses to read and for the left eye since the vision is still poor in that eye. Something else I didn’t know was you have to wait a couple months to get glasses if you need them. Guess it’s because your eyes have to adjust to the new lens and to heal.

[LiberalBrooke]

3. Yes

that is normal if you had 2 distance lens put in. I was given the option of having one lens for close up and one for far vision. I declined since I have had issues adjusting to that with contacts and glasses. However 2 of my sisters opted to do so and are happy. Use readers for close up vision and get a pair of 1/2 lenses for eyebrow grooming.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. I'm surprised there wasn't a discussion about exactly what kind of lens

would be implanted. I had the choice between one that would allow close-up vision so I'd need glasses for distance, or one that would allow distant vision and I'd need glasses for reading. I chose the latter. I'd already been using reading glasses for many years.

I'm very happy with my choice because I now feel as if I can read small signs on distant hills. I've been nearsighted forever -- couldn't see the blackboard in first grade. Over the 55 or so years of glasses and contact lenses my distant vision was never as wonderful as this.

[Rebl2]

7. There was a

discussion. He said since my eyes were so bad, close up lens would likely not work for me. They were also more expensive. My right eye is great now, but the left eye is not as good and have glaucoma in that eye. I can see well enough to go without glasses around the house now unless I want to read. I do wear them most of the time though if I go somewhere outside the house, especially if I know I am going to need to read something or sign something. I am like you in that I have had glasses since around first grade.

[lark]

6. Yes, it happened to me.

I paid a lot extra for lens that were supposed to be good for both near and far vision - nope. 2 months later, my near vision was down to 20/30 where it has stayed. I had super near vision before, no longer. However I can see at mid-range, like a computer and far - for watching tv and driving without glasses. Doc said these lens are a lot more susceptible to dry eye problems & that's what messes up my near vision. I certainly see better up close after I use the rewetting drops.

If I could re-do this, I would just get the distance lens and wear glasses for near (like I already have to) and small print and save thousands of dollars. Water under the bridge.....

[Rebl2]

9. Well now I

am glad I listened to my surgeon. He said those near/far lens would not help me and they were more expensive. I already had dry eye problems due to my rheumatoid arthritis. I still don’t feel comfortable to drive without my glasses because my left eye vision still not great. Also had glaucoma surgery in that left eye (which didn’t work) at the same time as the cataract surgery. Most of the time it will work for people, but because of my RA it didn’t. My body overreacted, and scared over the new drainage opening he made in my eye. I still have to use one glaucoma drop in that eye. That surgery is called Trabeculectomy/Trabeculoplasty.

[lark]

10. Good for you!

I got taken in, but overall it could have been far worse. Really glad to not have to wear prescription glasses every second of the day that I'm awake. Readers are so much more lightweight than my old super strong rx glasses. They don't bother me as I just use them transactionally when I'm out in public, like to read the labels of vitamins, then they go back in my purse.

[Hoyt]

8. Happens to most people who were nearsighted before surgery. Had never seen my feet in shower before

cataract surgery. Almost had to put my glasses on to see my dreams.

In fact, if I had known what replacing the lenses would do, I would have paid out of pocket for lens exchange decades ago. But, my lens correction was like -10 diopters before cataract surgery.

But, yeah, it can be a pain trying to see something like an eyelash when you are wearing readers after cataract surgery. You'll probably get used to it, eventually. Good luck.

[lark]

11. I just keep "bathroom glasses" now so it's not a problem.

We have readers stashed all over the house now, including the bathroom.

[appalachiablue]

12. Luv your first comments! Hilarious. Nearsighted

since a kid, it was eyeglasses, soft contact lenses and then Lasik. I'm fine except for occasional strain with very small print, heavy computer use and if my eyes are dry.

[Hoyt]

13. Thought about LASIK. I tried every contact lens that came out, but

always had one eye where they didn’t work. Think I had dry eye before it was a thing.

Pretty happy after cataract surgery.

Glad LASIK worked for you. Extreme nearsightedness sucks.

[AllyCat]

15. My nearsightedness is severe as well. I was warned about

Retinal detachment. Did you have an issue with this?

[Hoyt]

16. Yes, retinal detachments are a risk with severe nearsightedness and cataract surgery might increase

the risk.

I have not had a problem with that; however, I have had Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) which leaves me with some pretty big floaters that affect my vision somewhat. Odds are I would have gotten that anyway, but who knows. Most people adapt where they don't really notice the floaters after awhile. Unfortunately, I haven't.

In any event, good luck if you get cataract surgery. Personally, I think it is worth the extra risk, but I hated big thick glasses, foggy glasses (glad I had cataract surgery before having to wear Covid masks), etc.

[AllyCat]

14. I almost did this a few years ago to correct extreme

Myopia. Can no longer wear contacts and my vision is correctable, barely. I was a week away from surgery and decided to put in a pair of my contacts from old times, but put the distance lens in both eyes instead of distance in one and near in the other.

I could not see the gauges on my dashboard.

Called and canceled. Now wearing scleral lenses until I really need the surgery for cataracts.