Cataract Surgery Implants and Photography

[JerryF]

I finally got my non dominant eye done about two months ago. It just was scary to think about my original lens being disintegrated and sucked out of my eye. But it was fantastic and didnt hurt at all. I opted for the panoptix multi focal lens and I can now see uncorrected 20/20 out of that eye. And I mostly can do everything now without the need for any glasses. I used to have progressive lens glasses and could not drive at night safely. I can drive at night now but the imporvement of my night and low contrast vision did not seem to improve all that much. It may be due to the brain integrating the image and trying to balance the brightness of both eyes. Another thing that improved dramatically is my vision with sunglasses. If you hate having to have glasses then its worth the extra cost to get multifocal in my case anyway.

 

[ScubaChuck]

First of all, I am a retired ophthalmologist and probably have the only worthwhile answer here. Sorry, but it’s true. No offense.
when you remove a cataract you are removing the lens of the eye. If nothing else is done, you still can’t see clearly. Fifty years ago, the only option was to wear very thick cataract glasses. You could see but there was significant distortion. Next came contact lenses. There corrected the vision without distortion but there was oftentimes difficulty putting them in and taking them out.
‘I the seventies the intra ocular lens started being used with success. Although a lot of academic ophthalmologists were not convinced. With improved results everyone was convinced they were the answer.
‘The big problem now is many ophthalmologists try to upsell lenses that Medicare doesn’t cover and the patient has to pay out of pocket. Pure profit. Be very careful.
The lens Medicare approves is a single focus lens that can be focused for distance or near. Because we are dealing with a biological system the preoperative measurements may not be 100% on the mark and a small glasses prescription may be needed for the best vision.
‘This may sound strange, but it is possible to focus one eye for near and one for distance. It does work and the patient hardly notices the difference. Many people do this with contacts.
‘Unfortunately , there is no correct answer. Just be careful that you are not being sold something you don’t need.
How did you take picture before all this? Did you were reading glasses to use the camera? Or were you a little near sighted and could see the camera without anything.
‘If you have any questions , please write. Good luck.

 

[Texspeel]

I’ve had cataract surgery on both eyes with lenses for distance in both. No problem seeing camera settings, reading newspapers, etc. and with the lenses I’m 20/25 in both eyes.

 

[hawk19]

Mike, there have been a couple of threads more or less on this topic. There might be something helpful in them. I had cataract surgery some years ago and a touch up in one eye eight months ago. When I had the original procedure done, I didn't need to change the diopter setting at all on my DSLR.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery Over the past 5 years my cataracts had been getting progressively worse. I was reluctant to get surgery because I only have one good eye, my right one. The left eye was at best 20/60 with glasses and that was before cataracts developed. It reached the point where driving at...

bcgforums.com

Cataracts & Photography #2

Please forgive me for starting another thread on this topic, but I’d like to ask anyone who has had cataract surgery recently about what lens implant you opted for, and what your specific outcomes were. I’d be especially interested in hearing from anyone who may have moderate astigmatism. I just...

bcgforums.com

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

 

[GG1]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I have had both eyes done and have single vision implants. I have no problems seeing my camera info nor reading a book. I have a little trouble with the book in dim light but otherwise no problems at all.

 

[rloeb]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I had both eyes done two years ago and chose the "expensive" lenses. They are worth the cost! I threw all my glasses away. I can read, shoot (cameras and guns), weld, garden, cook, and drive without glasses (other than sunglasses or protective lenses). Best thing I ever did. I'd been wearing glasses for almost 30 years, getting new lenses yearly. I had multiple pairs of glasses: reading, driving, etc. At one point, I was switching between four different pairs. I had a special lens made for my D850 viewfinder so I could see both the viewfinder/controls and the subject. What a nuisance. I highly recommend the expensive lenses. In my case, they paid for themselves by eliminating my annual outlay to replace the lenses in multiple pairs of glasses. [Your mileage may vary.]

 

[Archibald]

I had both eyes done two years ago and chose the "expensive" lenses. They are worth the cost! I threw all my glasses away. I can read, shoot (cameras and guns), weld, garden, cook, and drive without glasses (other than sunglasses or protective lenses). Best thing I ever did. I'd been wearing glasses for almost 30 years, getting new lenses yearly. I had multiple pairs of glasses: reading, driving, etc. At one point, I was switching between four different pairs. I had a special lens made for my D850 viewfinder so I could see both the viewfinder/controls and the subject. What a nuisance. I highly recommend the expensive lenses. In my case, they paid for themselves by eliminating my annual outlay to replace the lenses in multiple pairs of glasses. [Your mileage may vary.]

Did you do a comparison?

 

[Rossdmorrison]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I recently had cataract surgery (on both eyes now) and decided to go for the all encompassing lenses called Vivity. I can focus anywhere from 14 inches away to infinity. They have been great for photography in that I can read the settings on my camera and have not required any adjustments to the viewfinder. While these lenses are expensive, they are about the same as a good quality camera lens. Also, they have less glare and fewer halos at night than other multifocal implants. Overall, very happy with them.

 

[Franb]

Hi Mike,
I had cataract surgery 3 years ago. I had my right eye ( my master eye) prescription set for distance and my left eye set for arms length,
I no longer need glasses for anything other than the tiniest of tiny print. Reading newspapers camera menus etc are a piece of cake !!
It does sound amazing that 2 different prescriptions do not confuse your sight . but the brain ( even mine ) works it all out, and welcome to a world with no glasses !!!.

I had something similar last November. Astigmatism in both eyes and moderate cataract. I am left eye dominant so had distance lense put in that eye and that is the eye I look through the viewfinder. The right eye got the reading lense. I no longer need glasses for anything but do have some for really close work like threading a sewing needle. It’s great not having to wear glasses for photography as I used to have problems with them fogging up

 

[Woody Meristem]

After my cataract surgery I still have "distance" lenses in my eyeglasses for walking around in the forest, walking in town and most photography. For woodworking, computer work, watching TV and reading I use old fashioned trifocals (not progressive lenses), the upper part with the "distance" prescription, the central with best focus at the fingertips of an outstretched arm, the lower portion focuses at about 18 inches. It took my brain about a half hour to adjust to the trifocals, after that half hour there's never been a need to "hunt" for the correct part of the lens to look through. Perhaps the fact that I prefer large aviator-type lenses made it easier to adapt to the trifocals.

 

[MikeInMI]

I had both eyes done two years ago and chose the "expensive" lenses. They are worth the cost! I threw all my glasses away. I can read, shoot (cameras and guns), weld, garden, cook, and drive without glasses (other than sunglasses or protective lenses). Best thing I ever did. I'd been wearing glasses for almost 30 years, getting new lenses yearly. I had multiple pairs of glasses: reading, driving, etc. At one point, I was switching between four different pairs. I had a special lens made for my D850 viewfinder so I could see both the viewfinder/controls and the subject. What a nuisance. I highly recommend the expensive lenses. In my case, they paid for themselves by eliminating my annual outlay to replace the lenses in multiple pairs of glasses. [Your mileage may vary.]

Are you expensive lenses the panoptix? Do you have a lot of glare or halos at night?

 

[Don Linn]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I had cataract surgery about 9 mos ago. I had 20-70 before the surgery and now have 20-30. I decided to get glassed for reading and for my computer. No problems wih cameras.

 

[MikeInMI]

I finally got my non dominant eye done about two months ago. It just was scary to think about my original lens being disintegrated and sucked out of my eye. But it was fantastic and didnt hurt at all. I opted for the panoptix multi focal lens and I can now see uncorrected 20/20 out of that eye. And I mostly can do everything now without the need for any glasses. I used to have progressive lens glasses and could not drive at night safely. I can drive at night now but the imporvement of my night and low contrast vision did not seem to improve all that much. It may be due to the brain integrating the image and trying to balance the brightness of both eyes. Another thing that improved dramatically is my vision with sunglasses. If you hate having to have glasses then its worth the extra cost to get multifocal in my case anyway.

Do you have glare and halos at night? That is listed as a side effect of the Panoptix.

 

[MikeInMI]

You might explore PanOptix Trifocal Intraocular Implants. Conceptually, they function in a way analogous to atrifocal lens, but one does not have to alter gaze to view at different ranges. Once in a long while, if something seems blurry, I blink and it instantly clears. I am 20/20 R & 20/25+ L. My distance vision is fine, I can clearly view all camera screens, the viewfinder settings, and the Z8/Z9 lcd. For very small fonts, I utilize 1.5 over the counter half glasses, but can actually see most of the smallest fonts unaided. The PanOptix eliminate the need for one eye corrected for reading and one eye corrected for distance.

Les

I understand there is an issue with glare or halos at night with the PanOptix. Can you comment on your experience with that?

 

[Abinoone]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I had cataract surgery earlier this year, and faced the same questions. I opted for "Toric" implants ($2200 per eye), tuned for distant vision, and I still use readers for reading and viewing LCD images, etc.

While cataract surgery is routine and has a high success rate, it is not necessarily problem free. It's important to get not only a highly experienced surgeon, but to be sure that everyone at the surgery center is well qualified, and does his/her job. The prep nurse for one of my eyes didn't give me enough local anesthesia, which was discovered when the surgeon started the laser removal procedure. It hurt like hell and I jumped a bit. Consequently, I've had issues with that eye ever since. Needless to say I haven't been very happy, especially when trying to focus with my camera.

 

[MikeInMI]

I had cataract surgery earlier this year, and faced the same questions. I opted for "Toric" implants ($2200 per eye), tuned for distant vision, and I still use readers for reading and viewing LCD images, etc.

While cataract surgery is routine and has a high success rate, it is not necessarily problem free. It's important to get not only a highly experienced surgeon, but to be sure that everyone at the surgery center is well qualified, and does his/her job. The prep nurse for one of my eyes didn't give me enough local anesthesia, which was discovered when the surgeon started the laser removal procedure. It hurt like hell and I jumped a bit. Consequently, I've had issues with that eye ever since. Needless to say I haven't been very happy, especially when trying to focus with my camera.

OMG. How horrible!!! Sorry you went through that.

 

[TurtleCat]

I didn’t have an issue with pain but definitely the “second eye syndrome” as I’ve heard it called. The first eye is usually a vague experience but the second one (because you know what to expect) you’re more aware and you stay awake better and are more “present”. One common complication is dry eye. I had it in spades with my right eye and a little in my left. About 2-3 months later it was all good.

 

[2Lab]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I just had my right eye done this year and hoping to have my left done soon. I have worn glasses continuously since I was about 29 and then bifocals in my late 40s. Since I am going to have to wear glass until my expiration date I decided on far distance and when the left is done maybe I can get away from bifocals. I am predominately right eyed but can work with my left when the need arises and I find I can see the menus and view finder quite well. If I use my left eye I just hope AF is working properly.

 

[JacobGM]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

Mike, hello!
The one thing you lose with Cataract surgery is Accommodation, of the ability to focus near and far. However, if you’ve been using glasses at all, you already were living with some compromise in that realm.
Getting to the point — as a photographer, go for the infinity-focus lens.
PROs: You will have everything from just beyond arm’s length to infinity in focus! It’s like having f/32 without defraction!

CONs: You need reading glasses - possibly two for computer distance and nearer work like reading or using your phone. A bifocal works well.

WHY NOT y or z?
Intermediate/near focus lenses will require you to wear glasses for seeing far and maybe even for driving. As a photographer, this will handicap you in the field.

Multi-focal lenses use concentric areas of varying focal length, so based on your pupil size, you can see distance or near. Seems like the “holy grail” but it has a significant number of folks complaining of light halos and chromatic aberrations. NOT what a shutterbug wants!

cataract surgery (with infinity lenses) literally gave me a new lease of life. I should also add that after surgery, there is a significant color shift, specially in the blue range, because cataracts impart a muddy yellow tinge to vision. I was astounded by how blues suddenly seemed so vibrant. It’s akin to an old painting after restoration

In terms of camera usage, I need readers to use my LCD, but through the viewfinder, it’s much like a bloke with no vision issues — clear as crystal. I have set my viewfinder to include most, if not all the info I need to set up a shot.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your surgeries.

 

[AlanB313]

I think it is very helpful to hear about the experience of others, but it is important to remember that everyone is different. I'd find an ophthalmologist that you trust and can communicate well with as a first step. My wife had a first cataract done in January. She has Fuchs dystrophy which complicates things, even with a mild case. At first, her surgeon thought she almost certainly would not need a corneal transplant. But she had a lot more inflammation than expected. It was touch and go for two or three months. Finally she was improving and could see better (May). Now she is 20/25 to 20/30 in that eye and we are looking at the next go-round next year. She's not looking forward to it after two to three months of very poor vision with slow gradual improvement over the next 4.

Her surgeon recommended a single focus option for a lens. He said we have enough complexity to deal with the Fuchs. I'm glad we took his advice. I think she is too but wonders if she could have got something more sophisticated. She has a slight haze that can be dealt with laser treatment but no rush.

Bottom line for me is that rely on the experience and knowledge of an ophthalmologist you trust.

I forgot to mention that my wife's regular ophthalmologist referred her to a cornea specialist for the cataract surgery in case a transplant would be needed as follow up. Thankfully we avoided that.

 

[dabhand16]

Mike, hello!
The one thing you lose with Cataract surgery is Accommodation, of the ability to focus near and far. However, if you’ve been using glasses at all, you already were living with some compromise in that realm.
Getting to the point — as a photographer, go for the infinity-focus lens.
PROs: You will have everything from just beyond arm’s length to infinity in focus! It’s like having f/32 without defraction!

CONs: You need reading glasses - possibly two for computer distance and nearer work like reading or using your phone. A bifocal works well.

That's what I have and with my varifocal glasses I can cope OK with the only downside being I can's see all of the frame without moving my head a bit. They also are OK for computer use, in face verifaocal glasses are good for anything and I wore them for many years before my cataracts developed, but I don't remember the VF issue with dSLRS, only EVFs.

 

[Rick Kibbey]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I had lens replacement several years ago. I got the "does it all" lens. I like them but before I got them I had 20-15 vision corrected by my glasses. I now have 20-30 vision in both eyes without glasses. It's nice to wake up and be able to see. HOWEVER, if you're used to excellent vision, having so/so all around vision has some minor drawbacks. And now, I still have to have readers for close up stuff. I used to be near sighted and could see a traffic sign a quarter mile away very clearly. Now I don't. But I forsee needing driving glasses in several years to see those signs before I need to turn. I would suggest that if you are used to very good vision (with or without glasses) now, that you consider either the near or far vision lens implants and get supplemental glasses for what you need. You'll need them eventually anyway as you advance on age. I like being able to see "good enough" when I'm awake, but for specialized vision of near or far, I would suspect you'll need glasses anyway. I use the diopter correction on my camera for far view now and readers for up close like working on photos on the computer. Whatever your decision, MOST LIKELY, not saying it's 100%, but you may need glasses of some kind anyway. So, in conclusion, pick near or far and live with supplemental glasses where needed. Disclaimer, this is what happened to me... you may be different. PS: I don't have any issues with seeing subjects in the view finder and camera settings with the all in one lens. I do adjust the diopter to see my subjects at a sharper view. It doesn't affect my view of settings..
Hope this helps some. Still a tough decision because you just don't know how it will affect you. In any case, I think your decision will only have minor distractions one way or another. I'm happy with the all in ones but wonder if I had gotten far vision if things would be different. I never will know, so I decided to be happy with my decision.

 

[Charles Loy]

20-20 in one, 20-16 in other. Can't really tell the difference. Just get it done

 

[Mark1776]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I had my eyes done about a year ago. I paid for the multi-focal package, along with astigmatism correction. I no longer need glasses for anything but extreme closeup and very fine print. I was very near-sighted but also had the age-related near vision problems. No problems with the camera. I could finally get the viewfinder in focus with the diopter adjustment (I was outside the range, even with a diopter eyepiece). One eye is definitely better than the other, but both test at 20/20 near and far. It took a week or so for my brain to remap the focus. It was interesting to watch the double image disappear. It is still there, of course, but no longer gets "seen" by my brain. The first eye adjusted immediately, but the second one has still not fully adjusted. I think I may have to wear a patch on the first eye to force the second to reprogram properly.

Much better color vision with the cataract and lens out. I can see the violet band in the rainbow for the first time. The color rendition was very obvious for the couple of weeks I just had one eye done. I have found that using the Z8 is easier than the D850, as the viewfinder display is more comprehensive. I can see the back and top menus just find except when it is very dark outside and my eyes dilate. Then I need to rely on the viewfinder. A simple pair of 2.0 reading glasses is all that I need to see even the smallest print in lower light.

The only problem with the multi-focal lenses is monochromatic light sources (LED traffic lights, for example) generate a fairly wide concentric ring around the source. I can deal with the big circle around the traffic lights! Regular street lights and such do not seem to produce nearly the artifacts that the monochromatic lights do. Oh, and I can see the mercury lights deep violet band in parking lots, etc.

 

[ScubaChuck]

I hate to write this, but being a retired ophthalmologist, many ophthalmologists try to upsell lenses you really don’t need. Be careful!