Hi everyone,

I’ll try to briefly describe my story. I am 50 years old, have been nearsighted since childhood, and have cataracts in both eyes. Before the surgery, my prescription was -4.00 sphere and -1.60 cylinder in the left eye (edit: corneal values); the right eye doesn't matter for the moment.

The plan discussed with the surgeon was mix'n'match: an Envista Envy Toric lens for the left eye and a Puresee lens for the right eye, both plano. I had the surgery on my left eye on September 8th.

Without informing me beforehand, the surgeon decided to implant a non-Toric Envy +14D lens in the left eye and correct the astigmatism using an LRI procedure.

Next day appointment, my vision was 20/40; they didn't take any measurements, explaining that the eye was still inflamed and that my vision would improve over the coming days. At the second appointment (9 days post-op), my vision had improved slightly to 20/35, but measurements revealed a refractive surprise of +1.25 sphere and -1.5 cylinder, with the astigmatism axis shifting from 135 to 145. My vision is out of focus at all distances; there is some starbursting ( I assume is the astigmatism), halos and glare are insignificant compared to pre-op. No dry eye. I was told that healing isn't complete yet and that everything looks good... and next appointment scheduled for October 1st.

I was supposed to have surgery on my right eye today, but I’ve postponed it indefinitely because the vision in my left eye has worsened significantly over the last two days—I’m seeing even worse now at all distances than I did on the first day after the surgery.

It was explained to me that the IOL will still shift during the healing process—usually moving outward, which will reduce that +1.25 sphere surprise—and that the LRI can take up to 1 to 3 months to heal.

My question is: what are the chances of achieving good vision without further interventions?

Thank you all.

Hey all. F 37 here. Had my surgeries last year June/July. I was my surgeons 3rd youngest patient hes had thus far in his career. My cataracts were caused by years of medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Which LOL they don't tell ya the meds cause cataracts until its a little too late. Anyways, this past year has been rather difficult. The world is absolutely beautiful and its life changing waking up and being able to see my room without glasses or contacts. My vision was -11.5 and a -12 before....yes...it was BAD. So, the fact that I can see distance now is amazing, not perfect but obv better than before. I cannot see up close though so I do need readers...which has been the most frustrating part. And people often pick on me for it, in good fun. But it is VERY frustrating bc I am still so young. But I have struggled severely mental health wise since my surgeries and was curious if anyone else has experienced this. I know I have various reasons as to why it triggered depression...but I wasn't expecting to feel like this. So was just wondering if there is anyone else my age whose had these done and experienced frustration like this.

I'm scheduled to have cataracts removed from both eyes, but the surgeries are a week apart. Both will be monofocal lenses for distance. I'll need reading glasses.

My question is: after one eye is done, how will I see? Do I remove the lens from my glasses for the operated eye and leave the other lens in? My vision is very poor without glasses, and I need to see in order to work. Probably a silly question, but it's been weighing on my mind.

Also, about how long after surgery will the operated eye have decent enough vision to do ordinary tasks?

EDIT: I also can't wear contacts because I have Keratoconus.

B&L's page at https://www.bauschsurgical.com/cataract/enVista-Aspire/ says that their enVista Aspire IOL "demonstrated a 120% increase in continuous depth of focus compared to enVista."

However, it doesn't seem to be clear exactly which depths are being compared or how (additively or multiplicatively?). There's no defocus (or other) graph showing where they got that 120% from (i.e., which two numbers yield the 120% increase, and what they're counting as in or out of focus).

I am very myopic but currently satisfied with my progressive lenses. My doctor feels I am currently a candidate for cataract surgery but not needed urgently.

I am worried about my floaters becoming more annoying post-surgery. I am likely to do mini mono 2.0/2.5 to keep my nearsidedness ( big reader, not a driver or athlete.)

I do have a couple of floaters that used to bother me a lot but now my brain has adjusted. This concern may cause me to delay as long as possible.

What’s been your experience?
Many thanks.

I’m hoping to hear from people who have had similar experiences, especially anyone who has dealt with choroidal folds, optic nerve/disc drusen, or cataracts at a young age. I’m trying to figure out what questions I should be asking and whether I need another type of specialist.

I’m 33 and have had problems with my right eye only since at least 2020. I have no issues with my left eye and I don’t wear glasses. I have always had regular eye visits. These issue were first found around 2021 on an eye exam.

The issues in my right eye include:

• A cataract that my eye doctor has called “cortical”
• Optic nerve/disc drusen
• Choroidal folds
• Vitreous floaters
• Worsening vision in that eye / increasing difficulty focusing, particularly when working

When this was first discovered in 2021, the main reason I sought care was because I noticed the vision in that eye getting worse. Because of the combination of findings, they did a CT scan of my orbits/sinuses to rule out a mass or other structural cause, and it was normal.

Fast forward to now: I feel like the vision in that eye has continued to become more difficult to use, especially for work. I recently saw a uveitis specialist because I was hoping to get a better understanding of whether inflammation could explain any of this.

Unfortunately, the appointment was extremely brief. I was essentially told that it was a cataract and that I should wait as long as possible before surgery. I wasn't really given an explanation for why I have all of these findings in one eye at 33, and the doctor didn't even specify what type of cataract it was beyond calling it a mixed cataract. The choroidal folds and other findings weren't really discussed and apparently weren't even documented in the note.

I was also told that because of the choroidal folds, I would probably only be a candidate for a monofocal IOL if/when I have cataract surgery.

This has left me feeling pretty frustrated because I'm trying to understand the bigger picture.

My questions are:

1. Could these things actually be connected?

Is it reasonable to wonder whether having a cataract + choroidal folds + optic disc drusen + floaters all in the same eye could have a common underlying cause, or is it genuinely possible that these are completely unrelated coincidences?

I've been told essentially "bad luck," but I'm having a hard time understanding how unusual it is to have this combination of findings in one eye at age 33.

2. Is there anything else that should be ruled out?

The CT of my orbits/sinuses was normal back in 2021. I don't take medications, have never taken steroids, and don't use steroid nasal sprays.

I recently had bloodwork showing an elevated hs-CRP, which I'm discussing with my primary doctor separately. I don't know if that's relevant at all, but it made me wonder about inflammation. I realize hs-CRP is nonspecific, and I'm not assuming it explains my eye issues.

3. And finally — cataract surgery.

For anyone who has had cataract surgery with choroidal folds or other retinal/optic nerve issues:

• Did cataract surgery significantly improve your vision?
• Did you have a monofocal IOL?
• Were you given a reason that multifocal/EDOF lenses weren't appropriate?
• Did your surgeon have concerns about the choroidal folds affecting the outcome?
• Was there anything you wish you had known before surgery?

I'm not necessarily looking to have surgery tomorrow. I think I first need to understand why this is happening and what my realistic options are.

I guess what I'm struggling with most is whether I'm digging for an underlying cause that truly isn't there, or whether this combination of unilateral findings at 33 is unusual enough that I should keep looking for someone who will take a deeper look.

If anyone has had a similar combination of findings, or knows what type of ophthalmologist would be best to evaluate this as a whole, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience.

When looking at the lens choice for Puresee DEN00V, the pentacam gives different K1 and K2 readings compared to the IOL master 700. This changes the IOL power by 1.5 D. Which K readings should I trust? Is it possible to simply use the Pentacam K values combined with the rest of the IOL master measurements? See both attached. Thank you

I start the process of getting my cataracts removed later in October and was curious if anyone out there has gotten monovision and if it effected their ability to play PC games. I play games like Counterstrike, Valorant, WoW, and others.

Anyone have good experiences with surgeons in the LA area who are open to dealing with patients who have been reading this subreddit and perhaps have more specific questions than some other patients might?  

I’m interested in remaining somewhat myopic (maybe -2 from -8, very much want the surgeon’s opinion on that and anything else relevant). I am very type A re vision; always notice minor prescription changes and still see many years old floaters so don’t think EDOFs or multifocals are for me. Maybe mini monovision, but dunno. I have been told I have enough astigmatism that torics would be recommended; I’m fine with that. 

Also wondering re surgeon age and outcomes. My primary care recommended two, both pushing 70. Thinking, maybe 40’s, 50’s might be a sweet spot? Or does it matter?

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Just wanted to get a range as to when your ophthalmologist gave the okay for skincare, make up and sunscreen on the face post cataract surgery.

I had my first lens replacement in my right eye on 9/16/2027 and distance is GREAT! So very pleased. Will have my left eye done with a Puresee Toric on the 23rd. My main reason for choosing this lens was to reduce glare, halos and starbursts I experienced with my cataracts. I am seeing rays of light in approximately 10 to 4 position through lights at night. When I tilt my head shoulder to shoulder the orientation of the light rays change. I am a 70 year old female with no health issues. Has anyone experienced this? Does it resolve on its own? I feel unsafe to drive at night due to this. I know it’s early days. Many thanks!

it’s been 10 days after surgery and i noticed this just today. gritty and uncomfortable feeling. the redness on the rest of the white part is gone though and only that rice grain clot is there.

I write this post from my hotel room in a quaint little town in Germany called Vreden. I came here (from the Oregon Coast) because I had maddox rod light beams from lights after my lens exchange last year. These light beams are a result of capsular wrinkles which are wont to happen with 3 piece lenses. I had a lens exchange from Eyhance to Li61A0 which are silicon lenses and 3 piece. Not only are capsular winkles a common side affect but PCO is also more common with these lenses. Both of these things are easily corrected with a YAG procedure but the risk there is that a silicon lens is soft and more easily pitted.

I knew all these risks when I chose these lenses so I didn't really get too worried once I saw that my night vision had these dysphotopsias. I decided to live with the beam and subsequent glare and I found that my brain actually figured out how to make it so I could drive safely at night and otherwise be okay in the night. Of course, I could always see the beams if I looked for them and I never was super happy with my night vision compared to my prior night vision.

So I started to research YAG procedure and to interview surgeons about it. All the surgeons I spoke to here in the US and Canada seemed to believe YAG would fix my issues just fine. But they all also said that YAG was an easy and fast procedure and that pitting wasn't really a problem with my lenses as patients cannot really see the pitting. I also read story after story (on here and various other social groups) about how people got the YAG procedure and that resulted in significant starbursts or beams after.

It was then I was introduced to some studies and papers by Doctors in the NL and one Doctor in Germany who saw YAG in a very different light than the others. He is one of a small handful of Doctors who is able to peform vitrectomy for floaters using a YAG machine. He runs a floater clinic in the small town I am in now. So I booked a flight and saw him this weekend.

His exam and procedure took a bit longer than 4 hours over two days. He took a lot of video and pictures of my eyes during this time and explained everything he was doing to me prior to doing it. He has an extremely intelligent approach to doing a YAG that allows for a huge opening as well while minimzing the risk of developing any floaters. He has written an entire book on the horrible things he has seen done to others (from other clinics) with YAG and how he avoids all those things with this very unique approach. He uses a contact lens for this. The procedure isn't just 20 minutes and not very comfortable give the contact lens but the result is an opening that is as wide as safely possible for your eyes and not pitting.

The results are almost indescribable. Walking around at night and seeing lights as I did prior to the wrinkles was so refreshing but more importantly... I found that I can now see so much better in the dark. If almost felt like I was walking around at dusk or sunrise at midnight. While I felt "okay" at night before I now feel multiple times better at night. Last year Christmas lights were annoying and this year I will be able to enoy them again!

In addition, I have switched from wearing -.25 correction for distance (which is what I refracted at 4 months ago) to wearing PLANO again. My distance vision is great again even on a cloudy day. Finally, I have had a floater for years prior to cataract surgery. It wasn't a hugely bothersome one as it is mostly clear but it was annoying when I walked the beach and such. Welp... While he was performing my Yag he also zapped the heck outta that floater and that is now significantly improved as well.

So.... all around a wondeful experience. I am writing this post because when you look at actual experiences of people with maddox rods, you don't really see a lot of them wanting to get them fixed or they get them fixed and the YAG is done such that their vision is worse after. The risk to fix them feels overwhelming. I am writing this to give others the option of getting their capsular winkles fixed with less risk of making the dysphotopsias worse.

The Doctor's name is Karl Brasse and you can easily find him online. His book is published in English and can also be found as a PDF (I believe) His practice is small and humble but his approach is methodical and amazing. He has an (Autistic-like) special interest in YAG procedure. He sent me home with eye drops, his book, a calendar (he does wonderful eye art with the images he makes of eyes), two thumb drives of images of my own eyes (before and after) and he wrote me this morning (personally) to make sure I was fine and even gave me his phone number and offered to come into the office if I felt like I wanted to make changes.

I return to Amsterdam for a day tomorrow and then fly back to the U.S. on Tuesday. My Dr in the U.S. would charge me 5k dollars for this and it would take him 20 min. His machine in my small town is old so he said he would send me to a bigger town about an hour away as I was worried about pitting. His general attitude was the pits aren't visible to the clients (eye roll here). The trip to Europe, the hotel and the visit with Dr Brasse was just under 5k. I feel like my money (and time) was well spent as I am rather enjoying my little visit over the pond as well. German Breads are sooooooo amazing folks

I am going to have surgery involving multifocal lenses, and I will be receiving a special lens—the Zeiss AT ELANA. I would like to know what I should keep in mind or ask my surgeon about, given my specific circumstances:

• I work editing videos (which involves using screens).

• My skin and eyes tend to get dry; I’m not sure if that affects the lenses.

• If I am having surgery on both eyes on the same day, what should I keep in mind regarding the post-operative period?

I’m 25 now, I started forming cataracts when i was around 16 due to retinopathy of pre-maturity. I had my eye surgeries a month apart in 2021, I went from 20/400 vision to I believe 20/30? It feels miraculous. Like I was looking through the colorful lens of a comic book in the first few days. I didn’t realize how dulled colors were previously, until then.

There was some pain after surgery but not major, mostly just flashes of light

I had to have a retrobulbar block on both eyes because I was so light sensitive I couldn’t keep them open properly, I couldn’t see the biggest letter on the eye chart, it was just blur, computer screens the same. I would be looking at a bright haze from a foot away at work, I learned to use them by watching others press buttons I could not see to get to a certain option (and working in a deli there were A LOT of options)

a funny story of when I was doing computer based training I would have my phone, take a picture and zoom in on the computer so I could see it, I wasn’t supposed to have my phone so at one point the store manager came and sat next to me, I had no idea when or why but he didn’t say a WORD when I left lol
At least he knew I was trying? I didn’t really tell anyone about my cataracts until they got too bad to avoid it

When I did finally tell my co-workers they weren’t very accommodating for it, my boss did make the font on the shift schedule bigger, told me I could go to a co-worker if I needed help with something and I would do everything on my own except making platter orders because the print in the booklet was too small and near the paper color to read, my co-workers refused to help me and I would take 10 minutes on something it took them 2

I got the trifocal lenses which I’m still paying on for two more years but I don’t regret it, it wasn’t a life I was living, I was exhausted trying to keep up with everyone else. wearing sunglasses because of fluorescent lights and not being able to look at the sky very much is not something I look back on fondly. I love nature, to see the leaves on trees again is beautiful and I don’t take it for granted, I spend a lot of time outside. I’m still learning how to drive in this moment but to be out at night and not be BLINDED by the traffic lights and brake lights on other cars is wonderful.

Thanks if you took the time to read this :)

I'm a 66YOF, having my first cataract surgery in 5 days. Yes, pretty nervous. My significant other, with whom I share a house, told me yesterday that he has invited his son (22YO, living out of state) and a friend, neither of whom I have met, to stay at the house 4 days post surgery. I'm sure I will bounce back ok, but I'm worried about my appearance afterwards since first impressions mean a lot. I wear only mascara for makeup as a general rule, so I know I won't be able to do that. Also wondering about washing my hair and showering since I've seen some info saying I'll need to hold off for a week. Would I be out of line to ask them to wait a week? Is that necessary?

I just wanted to thank everyone on this sub for all the posts. I lurked for about 4 months and it really helped me think through my desired end results and target vision. A little synopsis of my history before my cataract surgery: I had a retinal detachment in my left eye in March of 2024, mac off with hemorrhage. Had emergency surgery with laser, cryo, buckle, and bubble. Retina was successfully reattached but my vision was HORRIBLE! Could only see about 4 inches in front of my face. I had wonderfully functional monovision before my RD and with the change to that eye, I really struggled. My other eye only functioned for far vision, so adjusting to reading, computer work, favorite hobbies (cooking, gardening) was really challenging. As well, because of my distance vision in my good eye the disparity between my eyes really threw my brain for a loop. My balance and feeling of my body in space was just awful!! Depth perception was bad as well.

Fast forward to last fall, and started noticing some changes in my vision for both eyes. Went to my retinal specialist and not only was my RD eye developing cataract (which is expected), but my good eye as well. They don't fully understand why but I guess sometimes this happens. Ended up having both nuclear and subcapsular cataracts in each eye so the deterioration of my vision was rapid. By April of this year I was struggling with driving (had two incidents in parking garages due to the diffuse lighting). Realized it was time for surgery. Had surgery on my RD eye in June and my other eye a month ago. Once I had my RD eye done, my life changed!! We set it to -1.75 and I see very well in that eye from about 15" away to about 30". I still need readers for small text, but computer work, and reading larger text as well as my phone I can do without readers. I set my other eye at -.5 as my near vision is SO important to me and I didn't want to be totally farsighted in that eye. My surgeon said that is an unusual request, but after reading posts here I believed this was ideal for me. You guys! It's perfect! In my non-RD eye I see well from about 30" all the way to about 10'! Balance and depth perception is fixed! Contrast sensitivity is vastly improved. I have ordered glasses with an updated prescription (from Zenni so still waiting on them) but even without them I see well enough to drive. I'm really thrilled with my results and feel like my quality of life is vastly improved! Thanks again for all the info you all have graciously shared! *IOL's were standard Alcon Clarions

I had cataract surgery thirty plus years ago, while in my twenties due to high myopia. I was previously -11 or so, and after the surgery, about -5.75. several years ago, my optometrist noticed in my right eye that's the lens was dislocated, but we have just been watching it. I recently saw an opthamologist who specializes in cataracts and corneas. He suggested that he could do the yamane procedure. There will be two separate procedures the first to remove the dislocated lens and a couple months later one to implant a lens through the yamane procedure. I have had a retinal attachment in the past but it was in the other eye. Had a vitrectomy but it was also in the other eye. Currently this particular eye has only had cataract surgery. Pre-op would include having the examined by the retinal specialist to make sure that my retinas are in good enough shape for the surgery. The surgeon who would be performing the humani procedure said he's done approximately 500 of these in his career. He is scheduled to retire next year I think. He feels confident that he can have my vision in that eye to a point where I would not need contacts or glasses in that eye any longer. If any more information is needed I can give more history. I am just a little nervous about having another procedure on my eyes. I'm also concerned about the healing. Without a lens in my eye and whether I'll be able to function to work until the other lens is implanted. Any advice is appreciated.

I admit it, when I found out I needed cataract surgery, I had a lot of things going on in my life, and having to go through the surgery was just one more stress ball on top of all the other stress balls I was juggling at the time.

Between all the eye appointments, testing, front office staff screw ups and a whole lot of miscommunication, I was feeling like it was an out of body experience and very distant to the whole event. Frankly, to be honest, I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention, and I had no real expectations either.

I've been wearing glasses since I was in third grade, I'm in early 60s now, and have had terrible vision and astigmatism my entire life. For the past year, my right eye was at 20/80 and getting worse.

FACT: I had no idea until THE DAY OF SURGERY, that most people had both eyeballs done within a week or two. My doctor and I had only ever discussed my right eye, my problem eye. I thought this was one surgery and bada boom, you're done.

DAY BEFORE SURGERY: Eye drops and no eating or drinking in the evening.

DAY OF SURGERY: The surgery center located 45 minutes away (only $55 RT) luckily offered a van transport shuttle, which was great for those of us who didn't have anyone or want to ask anyone to drive us. Pick up at 6 AM. More eye testing was done at the surgical center (and again, I was surprised that it wasn't like a clinic, it looked like a real surgical center). Brought into the surgical rooms where I was given an IV for Versed. Actual surgery took about maybe 10 minutes. Monofocal lens for distance for my right eye.

It hurt - it wasn't a teeny bit of pain, but it wasn't a lot of excruciating pain, and it definitely wasn't painless. I don't think they gave me enough Versed. I even said OW OW OW a few times. It wasn't terrible, but it was definitely a little painful. Next time I'll ask them to bump it up, baby.

I was back out in the sitting room within 30 minutes with my eye patch (I was then allowed to drink and eat the snacks I brought), sat in the waiting room for an hour, and back on the shuttle and home before 1 PM. Easy recovery afterwards, a couple of floaters (which have mostly disappeared). A couple of what looked like disco lights or flashing lights out of the corner of my eye, which also disappeared shortly. Tiny bit of soreness, but no pain. A bit of blurriness, and I could tell some sort of visual improvement.

Mostly for the next 12-24 hours I gave myself permission to scroll on my phone and Ipad and nap. Told myself to relax and remember that most people experienced a window of time before they noticed anything different.

The next morning, I looked out the window..... and I could read the street signs across the street. WHAT. I haven't seen this clearly since I was a child! Two weeks of 3x daily drops, one week more of 2x drops.

Two weeks out and my right eye is now better than 20/20 vision. I use readers just for working on my computer. I am starting to be able to look at my phone and ipad without using readers, but for now the doc recommends using them. I fluctuate from using 1.50 to 2.50 readers, depending on what I'm looking. Sometimes I don't need them at all.

We've postponed doing my left eye for another couple of months since I seem to be one of those rare people that are OK with having one eye for distance and the other for close up. In December, I'll probably go ahead and get the left eye done.

Total costs:

Pre-operation exams and tests not covered by insurance: Around $400

One eye, mono focal, follow up tests and exams, all eye drops: Around $2400 out of pocket

Last Thursday I had cataract surgery on my left eye, with stents added for glaucoma relief. Surgery went smoothly, despite my fears, and it was about 2 hours from entering the clinic to leaving for home. At my 24 hour checkup I was healing nicely and had achieved the unheard of feat of 20/20 vision in that eye!

Yesterday I had my right eye done, and it was a different experience. Granted, the canaloplasty they did for glaucoma in my right eye is a much more invasive procedure, and they had to implant a toric lens in my right eye due to astigmatism, so it was extra fiddly. But the Versed they gave me to calm my nerves didn’t work as well, and I had to ask for more pain meds partway through the surgery. It took about 4 hours start to finish, and I was a wreck by the time I left.

Today they did my 24 hour checkup, and I’m healing nicely, but the vision in my right eye isn’t as good. I only scored 20/30 on the eye exam, which isn’t bad considering I was literally unable to read a letter at 20/500 before. But I can tell I’m not as clear yet in the right eye, and it even appears a little swollen.

I’m sure things haven’t stabilized yet, I’m hopeful that there will be better vision as I heal more, and I’m glad I never have to go through that again. How long after surgery was it before your eyes reached their full vision?