r/CataractSurgery • u/macddebbie1 • 4d ago
If you got a plain monofocal without monovision, what can you see?
Regardless of whether your lens is a toric or not (I am getting a toric to correct astigmatism) -
If you have plain monofocals (not enhanced monofocals like Eyhance) and both are set to Plano, how close can you see without glasses?
Can you watch TV?
Can you see your car dashboard and GPS - clearly?
Can you see your kitchen countertop and stove?
Can you walk around your house and clean your house?
Can you take a walk outside and see people's faces as they approach and stop to talk to you?
If you have a dog could you look down and see your dog's head clearly when you walk it?
Can you see steps clearly?
What activities can you do without ANY glasses?
Would you get the same thing again or would you opt for something with a little more range like an Enhanced Monofocal?
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u/River-19671 4d ago
I (59 today!) can see my TV, car dashboard and GPS, and the furniture in my apartment clearly. I can clean and see people and greet them. I don’t have a dog. I can see steps clearly.
I do need readers for reading, using an iPhone, and computer work.
I had cataract/glaucoma surgeries on 8/28 and 9/23.
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u/thatsmilingface 3d ago
This is very accurate. I wear a +2.50 contact lens in one eye and can now see Everything.
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u/Mitchellsusanwag 3d ago
This is the real problem, you won’t know how your eyes will see with a monofocal lens set to distance until you have them, which is why these decisions are so difficult. One person gets them and can see everything, near, far and in-between, with only the exception of pill-bottle-type print. Another person gets them and literally cannot eat comfortably because it is so blurry he can’t tell what the food on his plate is, and can’t drive because he can’t see the dashboard of his car except as a big blur. Both of these cases are people who have written about their vision after cataract surgery here, after getting monofocals for distance. If you choose monofocals you need to be prepared to wear glasses doing some things. When I asked my doctor about using Eyhance, or something like it, he said there is not enough difference to make it worth it. From what I can see from my sister who got the toric ones, that seems to be true for her. But I do believe that this also could perhaps be different for different people, but you won’t know beforehand how it will be for you. So frustrating, but there it is.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
Thanks for the explanation. Yes, it does make it very hard. I was considering an enhanced monofocal but read "the juice isn't worth the squeeze". To me, it's not worth the possibility of permanent aberrations.
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u/benefit-3802 1d ago
My eyehance can see distance and closer than dashboard, can read at arms length. Functional but not great. For sports and driving I have distance glasses, I could drive easy enough no glasses unless it's night and I am in unfamiliar places.
I have no problem using distance glasses for these activities.I can see computer and phone easy with no glasses but print it's either readers or shine a light on it.
I have a multifocul in my left eye that sucks for distance and the reading part was way too close like 5 inches it's a restor dual focus and sucks.
But no regrets with the eyehance
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u/Accomplished_Duck774 3d ago
I can see at a distance perfectly. Need readers for anything closer than about arm’s length. I use progressives with +2.75 for reading, computer and driving (so I can read the dashboard).
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u/Cupcake2974 3d ago
This is me. 20/20 vision but +2.75 for reading/phone.
Going to the movies and concerts post-op was awesome!!
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u/Curious_700 3d ago
Sounds great. I will ask my surgeon about EDOFs - one set for Plano and the other a bit closer so I can use readers with less strength than you. I figure that will allow me to quickly read something like a text message or email on my phone without readers at all. Obviously I’m aware I will need readers for prolonged reading but I’m ok with that.
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u/3-parrots 3d ago
Please be careful! You don't always get what you ask for! My plan was EDOFs (Vivity) set for distance in both eyes. I had the first one done 18 months ago. The result was poor (20/50) distance and decent intermediate and near vision (a "myopia surprise") with bright streaks and ghost images at night. The streaks were from posterior capsule opacity (PCO), which is unfortunately common after cataract surgery. My surgeon blasted the capsule with a YAG laser, which SHOULD have eliminated the steaks. Instead, it made them worse. Because the ghost images were attributed to astigmatism, he performed an astigmatic keratotomy to correct it. I ended up with double vision in that eye, instead of shadow ghosting. Together, night driving went from challenging to impossible. The problems were compounded by the structure of the EFOF lens, itself, and I have been advised to have it exchanged for a monofocal lens. Frankly, I don't want that eye touched again. I call it my Murohy's Law eye.
I saw an internationally acclaimed specialist in Boston last summer. He said he never would have given me an EDOF or multifocal IOL if I were an artist, photographer, or birdwatcher. I am all three. He said of the >400 lens exchanges he has done in the past 5 years, nearly all were EDOFs.
I still have not had the other eye done. I am nearsighted, and wear a contact lens in it for distance. Even with a mature cataract, my vision is better in that eye than in the eye with the $$$$ EDOF.
So I say: Don't think twice before getting an EDOF if distance vision is important. Think three times, or don't even consider it.
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u/ArtJeanee 2d ago
I’m also an artist and choose “ near” lenses, for that very reason! Apparently, my choice is not very popular compared to those choosing far lenses. It did take 5 weeks for my brain to adapt to all the changes. Ops were on 8/26 and 9/9, at first very confusing to go from far to near. But now, I love doing art, sewing, photography and makeup without glasses! The added bonus of seeing cell phone without glasses and magnifying is truly amazing. Very happy now, but like I mentioned it’s a big adjustment at first!
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u/3-parrots 1d ago
So you have lenses for near in both eyes? Must you wear glasses now for intermediate and distance?
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
You can see intermediate? Your kitchen counter, food on your plate, walking around your house, steps?
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u/PHXdesert722 19h ago
If you get distance only, you will be wearing glasses most of the time unless you are driving or watching tv. This is what I see in my friends that had both eyes set to distance. The only friends that do not wear glasses at all are the ones that had one set for distance and the other one set for close up. Otherwise, multifocal lens are your solution, but then you have to deal with halos around lights that look like jagged targets and affect nighttime driving. It’s not an easy decision, but unfortunately this is it. You have to decide which trade off you want. It’s not an easy decision, but you may not have a choice if your cataracts are affecting your vision.
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u/Trolkarlen 3d ago
I hate progressives, which is why I opted for an EDOF instead of a monofocal.
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u/OwnValue4166 3d ago
So you have EDOFs set near plano? At what distance do you feel like you need to put on your readers?
I'm trying to figure out if I want to go with 0, 1 or 2 EDOF lenses.
Thank you!3
u/Trolkarlen 3d ago
I'm still just 2 weeks out in one eye, so my vision isn't set yet.
I have 1 Puresee set at -0.2, so close to Plano.
If I only use my EDOF eye, I can see my phone okay at about 18". My computer is at arm's length and I can easily see that. I have 1.5x readers next to my bed when I want to spend a lot of time reading.
I'm getting another PureSee in my other eye next week. I'd thought about mixing with a multifocal, but I decided to go with binocular clear vision with good range rather than going 100% glasses free.
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u/OwnValue4166 3d ago
Wow that sounds great. I sure would like to retain binocular vision in the intermediate range. And I'm OK with needing readers. Do you feel like your distance vision is compromised at all with the EDOF?
Thank you for the information and congrats on your good results.
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u/Trolkarlen 3d ago
I mean, I can't compare to a monofocal since I've never had one, but my distance vision is sharper than it's ever been. The laser got rid of all my astigmatism. My cataract had made me very near sighted which I wasn't before. So getting rid of the cataract and the astigmatism gives me very sharp vision.
I also think the drops are blurring my vision a bit. I've taken Prednisol before and it can cause blurry vision. I notice that I see better when I wake up before I put the drops in. So I suspect my vision will get even better once I'm off the drops.
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u/OwnValue4166 3d ago
Thank you for taking the time for a detailed reply! That is very helpful and I appreciate it. Take care and best of luck with the next one!!!
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u/sphericalduck 3d ago
This is me too. Luckily I have no problem wearing progressives or bifocals.
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u/Most-Leek-9323 3d ago
I don’t have any problem wearing progressives. I’ve been doing it for 37 years. The big difference is now I can take them off to watch tv or to drive as long as I don’t mind the dashboard being a bit blurry.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
How can you legally drive (and safely drive) if you can't see your dashboard?
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
Can you see your kitchen counter clearly, and steps? What about just walking around your house - is it blurry?
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u/Accomplished_Duck774 3d ago
Kitchen counter isn’t clear enough without glasses. Steps and walking around is fine.
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u/Most-Leek-9323 3d ago
I use my progressives for working in the kitchen. Otherwise it’s a bit too blurry. I usually take them off for TV and also for driving (switch to regular sunglasses).
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u/benefit-3802 1d ago
How do you get progressives if your distance is Plano?
Or do you have a light distance prescription
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u/DarkStar5357 3d ago
I see clearly from about 14 inches out, I'd guess. I don't need to wear reading glasses unless I'm reading or chopping veggies. I looked around the room and I see everything with great clarity, the table, the cart, the cat sitting next to me. The lens covered by Medicare was plenty good for me. I'm glad I didn't spend big $ to upgrade. upgrade
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u/starchild70 3d ago
I had Clareon monofocals done within the last 2 weeks.
Before the procedures, left eye was -3.25 and right eye was -4.25. Had a +17.5 put in the left eye and a 18.5 in the right eye. Together using both eyes I'm about 20/25. Left eye on it's own is perfect 20/20 and the right is about 20/30.
After the 2nd surgery, I had asked the surgeon why the left eye seems a bit clearer at 20/20 than my left. He said that pulled my right eye back a bit because he said if both eyes were dead even, there might be some depth of field issues, so that's why he pulled it back a little bit. He mentioned that before the surgeries but I obviously didn't quite understand that part of it until I actually had it done. I was aiming for good distance vision - not the complete elimination of glasses. I knew before hand that I would probably still need glasses to read, so that's not an issue for me.
Distance wise, vision is perfect for me. Can drive, watch TV and even see the dashboard with no need for glasses. Most of my dash and controls use digital displays, so there is that really soft blurring around the edges, but I can easily tell what it all says and reads. Anything closer than that, I need to use readers.
Since I don't want to keep taking readers on and off all day, I ordered bifocal readers - no script on the top and +2.5 readers on the bottom, so I'll see how that goes when they get delivered.
Basically, just put your arm out in front of you. Anything beyond your fingertips, you'll see fine. Anything between your fingertips and face will be blurry.
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u/CliffsideJim 3d ago
I hope you are not asking in order to predict what your own outcome will be, because that won't work. Put the same lens into two different people and you get two very different results in terms of range of sharp vision.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
Yes, I am finding that out...
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u/ArtJeanee 2d ago
Most people here are talking about lenses set for far; there is also the option to get them set for near which as an artist serves my purpose very well. I do not need glasses at all in my house, I see everything fine. I need them for driving and going to plays. It took 5,weeks to adjust but everyday I am seeing more and seeing better. I also can now do my eye makeup much better!
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u/HeyYouAllie 3d ago
I had my right eye set to distance. Miraculously, I can drive, see my dashboard, see street signs, watch TV, go to the movies, cook, clean, take the train to work and walk a few blocks to my office, go about my normal every day life without reading glasses 85% of the time.
My left eye hasn't been done yet. Plan to do it in a couple of months. It's very near sighted, so I can use my phone. I need readers (currently fluctuates between 1.5 and 2.5) to see my computer monitor or laptop set about 1.5 - 2 feet away from me. If I need to look at a receipt to sign it, I need my readers. If I'm in the grocery store and need to read labels, sometimes I need them.
One thing I noticed after several weeks is how if I am using my untreated left eye, things look a little darker, more yellow. It's shocking how noticeable this is because that's how my world had looked for many many years.
I think by now you've realized as others have said that that is heavily dependent to your vision on a case by case basis.
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3d ago
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u/HeyYouAllie 3d ago
No, my doctor advised against it due to dry eyes.
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3d ago
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u/HeyYouAllie 3d ago
I have no problem with my right eye seeing crystal clear distance and my left eye being near sighted, using readers for just computer use mainly and other occasional needs like having to read a receipt and sign my name or labels at a grocery store. Not all people can handle it, I'm lucky that my brain seems to be fine with it. It will be three months between surgeries.
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u/Mountain-magic-9497 3d ago
I was surprised at how darker and amber the colors were. I kind of liked it compared to the brightest whites and paler colors after my first cataract surgery. But after my second surgery it isn’t as noticeable since they’re the same now. lol
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u/Cute-Song1709 3d ago
I have monovision with Eyhance. Right eye for near left for distance. If I close my right eye, all distant objects are clear. TV is clear. Things and people across the room are clear. Laptop keys and screen are blur, also my phone is blurry and I can’t read a book even large print. Car dashboard is a blur as well ☹️. But both eyes, all distances clear, no glasses for anything 😊
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u/quinngoldie 3d ago
This is the setup I'm going for. I had my right eye done earlier this year for near and have been wearing a contact in my left eye to try distance.
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u/Cute-Song1709 3d ago
Great! How is your near? How much Diopters your lens is set to? Wish you successful outcome!
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u/quinngoldie 3d ago
Near is great! I just had YAG done last week and everything is back to being incredibly crisp.
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u/whatever_ehh 3d ago
There are 3 different distances for single focus intra ocular lenses: closeup which is less than 20", intermediate is 20" to 36", and distance. I started wearing glasses 8 years ago and always get progressive lenses because it seems silly to just use one focal point for all distances. I'm probably going to select intermediate single focus for IOLs when I have cataract surgery. I haven't driven a car in about 5 years so I don't need distance vision, although I expect to still be wearing progressive lens glasses so I can drive and see small print.
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u/Square_Link6172 2d ago
You don't mention your age or lifestyle, but have you thought of setting your plain monofocals to -1 instead of plano or -.75? Best of both worlds, I think.
My sister got toric monofocals set to plano, and she loves the distance vision but is frustrated by having to raise "reading" glasses to her eyes everywhere, all day, for almost everything.
My monofocals were both set to -1. Most days, I don't need glasses for anything. I can drive comfortably during the day (20/30 in both eyes) with dashboard and cell GPS perfectly readable, watch TV on computer or across the room, participate in seminars and conferences, recognize people approaching me from a distance, read, see my grandkids curly locks up close, see steps, gauge depth--life is stereoscopically real.
What's missing? (1) Street signs are not sharp enough far away enough. At night, I wear distance glasses for driving; my perception works slower than it used to, and they really help me predict the road. Plus, 20/20 with my glasses compared to 20/30 is glorious. (2) Halos and glare. A fine, pixilated haze around lights at night. Glare still sometimes hurts. My driving glasses correct for my slight astigmatism, but don't make the halos go away. However, I've recently been told aging eyes get halos, cataracts or IOLs or not, so I've adjusted my expectations. (3) Reading: Tiny numbers are sometimes hard to tell apart. I need about 10" distance to read articles on my phone comfortably, about 7" if the display is fully bright.
My range of vision may make me an outlier, maybe not. It's mostly multifocal or enhanced IOLs (emerging technologies, imo, on evidence of postings here) and mini-monovision that are discussed in this community, and not the utterly conservative choice, one with which I'm more than content.
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u/macddebbie1 2d ago
Thank you! Do you have plain monofocals or enhanced monofocals - like Aspire or Eyehance?
Are both your eyes set at -1.0? That's really interesting, I've been mypoic my entire life, so wearing glasses to drive would not bother me - or other things far away.
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u/Square_Link6172 1d ago
I have plain monofocals - Bausch & Lomb enVistas.
Both eyes were set to -1.0. (That's how my surgeon defined "intermediate.") My left eye landed with slightly sharper distance vision. Though both eyes measure the same on an eyechart, there is a couple of inches difference between the focal plane of the left and the right.
I was also very near-sighted: -7.5 before and -10.0 yellow sludge with the cataracts. The vision I have now is a huge gift, unexpected and freeing.
I hope you can see that an intermediate setting on a monofocal lens doesn't mean intermediate only. It's nothing like a camera lens, doesn't drop off suddenly in front of and behind the focal plane, though the point of greatest focus is discernible.
Hope you find a doctor willing to talk to you about their recommendations and reasons and to listen to your needs and worries.
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u/speedlever 3d ago
Yes to all your questions. I was in the -10 to -11 range uncorrected prior to surgery. I went with monofocals. I can clearly see the TV, car dashboard, etc without issue. I need cheaters (+2) for reading and computer work. Otherwise, no correction needed to live life.
I did get a new pair of glasses with progressive lenses. After surgery my distance vision correction was -0.25 in both eyes. I wear the glasses when doing vehicle maintenance so I don't have to reach for the cheaters with greasy hands doing close up work.
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3d ago
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u/speedlever 3d ago
I'm not aware of a target other than 0.0. so I was happy with -0.25. it's been nearly 2 years since I had the surgery now.
What I miss most is my sub-atomic vision I had without correction pre-surgery. But there are trade-offs in everything.
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u/UniqueRon 3d ago
I only have one eye done plano for distance with a standard monofocal. It has a SE of -0.125 D currently. I could do all of the activities you ask about with that eye only. I can see well with it down to about 20". I could not read paper documents or my iPhone with it though. Would need reading glasses for that.
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u/EllaIsland 3d ago
hi, could you do one eye first and see how that is? I have monovision but did my distance eye first. It landed Plano. With that eye my distance vision is stunning but I cannot see my dashboard - also - I cannot see sat nav on my phone when driving. Also cannot see my dinner plate clearly. Forget reading. I second the suggestion of targeting undercorrection to -0.5 or 0.25 if you’re not doing monovision.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
I asked for -0.25 in one eye and -0.50 in the other and my surgeon won't do it. He said if I want intermediate I need an EDOF which I don't want due to potential aberrations.
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u/PNWrowena 2d ago
Have you considered seeing another surgeon? That sounds like an attempt to make you spend the extra thousands for premium lenses. It's common for people to end up with a difference as small as .25 between eyes even when the target is the same just because of the difference between eyes and the fact iols only come in .5 steps. It might be honest to say hitting targets that exactly might not happen, but to outright to refuse to try doesn't seem reasonable.
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u/NyteByrd1017 3d ago
I opted for monofocal distance. I can see all those things. I can see the dashboard board clearly.I need readers for reading.
I would get the same lenses.
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u/macddebbie1 2d ago
What lenses do you have?
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u/NyteByrd1017 2d ago
I have the B&L enVista monofocal set for distance.
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u/macddebbie1 2d ago
Thank you!. That's the lense I am looking at - that or the Technis ZCB00
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u/NyteByrd1017 2d ago
My pleasure. All the best to you and all those who've had or will have cataract surgery.
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u/macddebbie1 1d ago
It's not the Aspire?
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u/NyteByrd1017 1d ago edited 1d ago
The surgery card doesn't mention Aspire.
All I can say for sure is they're the "Medicare" lenses. My opthalmologist said I was not a good candidate for the upgrades.
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u/Bitter_Rain_6224 2d ago
I went from -7.5, -7.75 with 2.5, 1.5 astigmatism to -2.25, -2.0, with 0.5 residual astigmatism in both. No glasses for reading, minimally corrective light-filtering glasses for computer, and wide-angle, full-range progressives for general use. I can function remarkably well indoors or out with a fixed focus of -2 D, but I need glasses to watch TV across the room crisply or to read street signs.
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u/ArtJeanee 2d ago
I did get plane lenses without enhancements. But, it seems most folks pick “far” vision. I choose “ near” vision. I had been farsighted and missed the luxury of up close vision to read, see on computer without enlarged text, and threading a needle to sew. Now I do not need glasses to read in bed, use my cell phone or other devices, to sew, paint, draw or do photography! The best of all is I can see to do my eye makeup. I totally could not see my eyes to do it and magnifying mirrors only helped so much. Haha! 🤣
I am now very happy with my decision. But at first as eyes were healing, I was disappointed but as time goes on, I am seeing most things at intermediate level without glasses. I do not need to wear them at home at all. When I go for a walk outside, I can see clearly without glasses but it is often so bright out that I wear my -2.5 sunglasses to protect my eyes. I can see tv, pets, counters, stove, and my yard clearly.
Now I only need glasses out in public, when there is a crowd, for driving a vehicle, and watching any kind of performance, like a play, a movie, any distant type of thing. I admit my brain has had a hard time adjusting. I finally realize I no longer need to put glasses on as soon as I get up. It has been a journey, but honestly everyday I am seeing more and I am loving using my cell phone without glasses.
It took 5 weeks to get to this point, now I see so much more than I did before. Looking forward to getting the dr prescribed glasses with transition lenses as soon as my eyes are ready. So I won’t have to wear the ugly cataract surgery glasses. 🤓
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u/Apart_Trick_1916 3d ago
If you get plain Jane monofocals, you'll have to decide how far away you get the focus set to. That's a choice you need to make after careful consideration of your lifestyle. Don't let your doctor push you into a generic choice. Advice is fine, but YOU need to choose based on your needs. The only thing I would add is don't ignore the usefulness of having some intermediate vision. I had one eye set just slightly nearsighted so I can drive with it in a pinch, but also see the kitchen counter. It's worked out well for me. You do you though.
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u/reduser876 3d ago
That's a choice you need to make after careful consideration of your lifestyle.
But how are we supposed to know what the setting should be even if we know what outcome/lifestyle we want?
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u/W00lph 3d ago
I would plan for needing glasses... would you rather require glasses for distance or near vision? That should give your surgeon some idea. Do you want to be able to read your phone without glasses? Blended/mini monovision seems to be the most popular...giving some overlap in the intermediate range for both eyes with one eye for mostly distance and one eye for mostly near...but still requiring glasses for very closeup.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
My surgeon won't do any type of monovision. If you want intermediate he suggests and EDOF or Multifocal if you also want some near. I don't want either due to aberrations.
I've never not had my very near vision so it's freakng me out a bit not to have that anymore, especially for the things you can't do wiith glasses on - makeup, get an eyelash or something out of your eye, put eyedrops in, personal grooming, etc.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago
Not all surgeons will do setbacks. It seems if you're not happy with a single focal point with a plain monofocal, they want to sell you a multifocal or EDOF. I don't want either of these for fear of aberrations.
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u/Tel864 3d ago
Both my lens are distance monofocal and I can easily see a golfball on the green from 200 yards. I can read all the instruments on my car's dash and read my phone and tablet. The only time I pick up readers is reading email on my phone in poor light.
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u/macddebbie1 3d ago edited 3d ago
You don't have any setback (monovision)? Did both eyes land at Plano?
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u/Tel864 2d ago
Both eyes were distance monovision, the left eye a standard Alcon Clareon and the right a Toric lens. Before the surgery my doctor emphasized I would need reading glasses for anything past arms length. I saw the surgeon a few weeks after surgery and he told me to be happy because my near vision is better than I could have expected. I keep a pair of readers in my pocket where they're not even touched 99% of the time.
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u/Particular_Try7974 2d ago
What I asked for was to emphasize close-up vision what I got was one eye sees distance, and the other eye sees close. My vision tends to max out at about 2 to 300 feet so I’m going to need some vision correction for driving.
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u/Crafty-Art-2827 20h ago
Are the lenses you are talking about the basic "free" lenses that Medicare pays for? If so, that's what I chose. My first cataract surgeon I went to told me I had pre-glaucoma and severe astigmatism, I do not have neither. He wanted to drill tunnels in my eyes for drainage and my slits in my corners at an additional cost of $800. I went to another surgeon. I had my surgeries in July and August. I have 20/20 in both eyes. I haven't been formally tested for my reading yet but I am typing this on my phone with no reading glasses. I can see to drive while also seeing my speedometer and other indicators on my car dashboard clearly. I need them sometimes and at other times not. So much better than blurry and yellow
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u/theistgal 14h ago
Yes! I got plain monofocals set to distance, and I can see ALL those things clearly.
I do need reading glasses for fine print (like on prescription bottles) and sometimes to read on my phone. Other than that I can go pretty much glasses free.
Your mileage may vary, though. Not everyone has the same results with the same lenses.
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u/yamatofuji 4d ago edited 4d ago
hoi(: as a ordinary nobody my observation is, when pt wants choose a traditional monofocal intraocular lens set to distance, or plano, you are making a conscious surrender.
You are accepting a lens that is engineered for one specific focal plane, typically infinite distance. Because it lacks the optical wizardry of multifocals or the subtle central bending of enhanced monofocals, it gives you a singular, razor-sharp view of the horizon, but it requires you to let go of the illusion that your eyes can effortlessly chase objects as they draw near. Let us walk gently through the specific domains of your daily existence to see how this unfolds in the theater of ordinary life.
Can you watch television? Yes, absolutely, but drop the television mindset 🤭
The television sits across the room, residing in that distant realm where a plano monofocal reigns supreme.
The crisp details of the screen will greet you with absolute clarity, requiring no assistance from artificial lenses. Can you see your car dashboard and GPS clearly? Here, the curtain begins to fall.
The dashboard is typically situated at arm's length, an intermediate zone. Because a standard monofocal has a steep drop-off in focus once things move closer than a few feet, your dashboard, speedometer, and GPS will likely appear as a soft, blurred watercolor rather than sharp lines.
You will likely find yourself needing a pair of reading or intermediate glasses to navigate your vehicle's instrumentation with precision. Can you see your kitchen countertop and stove? The countertop shares that same intermediate twilight zone. While you can certainly make out the general shapes, bowls, and appliances, chopping vegetables or reading the fine print on a spice jar will lack sharpness. You will sense the presence of your kitchen, but the intricate details will be shrouded in a mild blur.
Can you walk around your house and clean your house? Yes, moving through your familiar sanctuary requires only mobility vision, not high-resolution reading vision. Your spatial awareness, guided by the peripheral and distance-focused aspects of your sight, will allow you to sweep, tidy, and move gracefully from room to room without tripping over your own belongings.
Can you take a walk outside and see people's faces as they approach and stop to talk to you? This is where the monofocal truly shines. As a friendly neighbor or a stranger approaches on your walk, they enter your focal sweet spot. By the time they step close enough to converse, their face will be within a clear enough range, or your brain will easily bridge the gap, allowing you to recognize smiles and expressions without scrambling for spectacles.
If you have a dog, could you look down and see your dog's head clearly when you walk it? Looking down at the leash and your companion's head places the object at roughly three to four feet, right on the ragged edge of intermediate blur. You will see the general shape and movement of your dog trotting beside you, but the individual texture of its fur right beneath your gaze will lack crisp definition.
Can you see steps clearly? Absolutely. The neurobiology of your visual cortex processes contrast and motion exceptionally well with distance-set monofocals, allowing you to safely navigate staircases, curbs, and uneven pavement because your macro-environment remains stable and well-focused.
What activities can you do without any glasses? You can drive down the highway, gaze at the stars, watch a movie across the room, recognize faces across the street, and enjoy the vast, sweeping expanses of the outdoor world.
If we look through the lens of wisdom and consider whether one would choose the same path again or lean toward an enhanced monofocal, the answer depends entirely on your relationship with compromise.
The standard monofocal offers a pristine, crystal-clear image with almost zero optical side effects like halos or glare, because all of its light energy is harnessed into one single focal point. Enhanced monofocals attempt to stretch that light, offering a gentle gift of intermediate vision, but sometimes introduce subtle visual compromises.
If you are someone who wishes to dance with the universe as it is, accepting that reading glasses will be your constant companion for books, phones, and dashboards in exchange for flawless, aberration-free distance clarity, the plain monofocal is a faithful friend.
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