intraocular lens

[jessmarimba]

Anyone here had eye surgery to implant an intraocular lens for cataracts or vision correction? My optometrist briefly mentioned it during my last visit but then mentioned that I would need reading glasses afterwards and quickly dismissed the idea. But now my interest is piqued and I can't find much info online since Toric lenses seem to be stuck in eternal FDA approval limbo in the US. Any experiences with this, good or bad? Anyone want to disclose pricing, either? :)

(I don't have cataracts, but the implantable lenses seem to be the same so I thought I'd ask about that anyway.)

[Tri Girl]

I don't have any firsthand experience with them, but when I was doing my consultation last year before I had Lasik- the doctor I did the consulation with told me she had the intraocular lenses put in (she was fairly young, too- probably early 30's). She got them because her cornea was so thin- they couldn't do the regular Lasik. With the lens implanted she has had perfect vision with no problems. They overcorrected my vision (which I'm not terribly upset about since I'd rather have perfect distance vision). I am almost 40 and my doc said everyone pretty much needs reading glasses at some point because eyes get old and the muscles can't focus as we age.
I think it would be worth looking in to. Getting Lasik was THE BEST decision I ever made. I wish I'd done it 10 years ago. :)

[Kiwi Stoker]

I wonder if you can have one eye distance and one eye reading? My mum does this for her contacts and my father-in-law had it done with Lasik. Apparently it's not for everyone.

[sarahkonamojo]

Friend with intraocular. Best decision for her, ever. She had coke bottle glasses. Has made a world of difference.

I know many people who have had cataract surgery. No complaints from them either. Don't know the details of the surgery, though.

[jessmarimba]

Thank you all :)

One eye could probably have normal lasik and would be ok for reading, I'd imagine. Kiwi, hers probably don't seem any more strange to her than my current situation - I can see perfectly from my left eye, but my contacts don't correct my astigmatism at all in my right. So my brain just blocks that eye anyway :) It's fine in the daytime but I don't like to drive at night because my depth perception is pretty off.

The IOL that I'm crossing my fingers for is available everywhere BUT the US for the time being, it seems. I'm going to start saving...either for when the FDA finally approves it, or for a trip somewhere it's already offered!

[Tri Girl]

It's not available in the US (or just a version of it that you're wanting?). The doc I saw had hers done here in the states.

[jessmarimba]

Toric IOLs for non-cataract patients either aren't yet available or aren't in a high enough prescription (I can't get a straight answer). But they're available everywhere but here. Wish I could find a way into the FDA studies!