Less acuity with IOL than with OEM lens

Today, 12 days after cataract surgery, I tried using birding optics
with the new eye.
I looked through my 8x binoculars and 40x spotting scope.
I saw reasonably well through this eye until 18 months ago, and
through the other (still unoperated) eye until 9 months ago, so I
remember how things looked.


The resolution is poorer than it was through my biological lens.


Fine details of objects seen through both the binocs and the scope
never look tack-on sharp; I turn the focus wheel past the right point
by mistake, looking for focus that doesn't exist.


Of course, the view is a zillion times better than with the cataract
(!!). The fact that the doctor was able to get a partly liquified and
partly hardened lens out of my eye without any serious medical
problems (AFAIK) is a huge relief, as good as I could hope for.


Regardless, I still must get a second lens in my other eye, which is
not such a mess.
And a lot of what I do is look through microscopes and telescopes at
small insects and distant birds, trying to see fine detail.


So it seems reasonable to wonder whether another type of IOL might do
any better. Mine is the Alcon SA60AT (non-aspheric).


I wonder if the imperfect resolution is the result of spherical
aberration (the IOL is about +0.20 um and my cornea before surgery was
about +0.15).


Or whether it's because I used to be farsighted and am now nearsighted
(they targeted -0.5D; I ended up -1 D). Perhaps if I were still
hyperopic, things magnified would be sharper.


Or whether acuity inferior to that of the original human eye is common
to all IOLs, such that another kind would be no different.

Anyone know?

cheers,
Liz
Indianapolis

 

It takes a while for the eye to heal. I would not draw any conclusions
for six to eight weeks about your final acuity.

 

Today, 12 days after cataract surgery, I tried using birding optics

Yes, that's what they said about healing too.
I'm not sure how well the healing process correlates with any changes
in vision, because I don't know what inside is healing or changing -
do you know?

Also, how long until one's focal distance is presumed stable? Mine
seemed to change a bit during the first several days, but not in the
past seven.

(And how do you measure that, anyway? I stood some 2" high letters
against a wall, and moved forward and back until they were in focus,
which is at about 3.5 feet. That probably isn't the right way.)

I'm thinking the poor light yesterday (overcast and stormy) probably
had something to do with the acuity, and am checking again today in
bright sun and at dusk.

Liz D.

 

My vision with aspherical monofocal IOLs is at least as good as my
best-corrected vision was before cataract development (and slightly
better at night.)

If your refractive error is -1, your distance vision will not be
optimal without glasses. Your computer vision should be pretty good
without correction.

 

Most likely due to having had surgery only 12 days ago. There is
still inflammation in the eye.

Wait until after your final post op check up when you have finished
all the drops (4-5 weeks from now) before making a judgement about the
quality of the vision.

Judy

 

re acuity:
It was the poor light. I have the telescope focused on some spruce
branches. The detail I can see on the cones and needles during the
day melts away as the light starts to die at dusk. Probably loss of
acuity in dim light is not an earthshaking revelation. *sigh*

best-corrected vision was before cataract development (and slightly
better at night.)


Phew - that's good to hear.

It's not. Last night I got distance glasses, even if temporary, so I
can see better to drive.

OK. I'm taking drops of Omnipred (prednisolone) and Xibrom
(bromfenac) for 4 weeks. I worry that I should be having someone
check my eye pressure at some point during this.....?

-1.00. .... your technique is accurate at the 1-diopter point....


If my scrip for distance is -0.5D spherical, with -0.5D at 55 degrees
cylindrical........
then is my "focal distance" -1? or -0.5?


thanks,
Liz

 

The eye pressure would have been checked at your 1 day and 1 week post
op visits.

Yes. It is -1.00 in one meridian and -0.50 in the other.

Judy

 

OK.   I'm taking drops of Omnipred (prednisolone) and Xibrom

It was. It was 22 at the 1 week. This makes me wonder if it needs
checking again sooner than 3 weeks from now (the one month post-op is
actually at 5 weeks because of Memorial Day).

Hmmm. See next post...

cheers,
liz

 

If my scrip for distance is -0.5D spherical, with -0.5D at 55 degrees

I understand.

OK, I follow this.
But then, if I want the second eye to match the first one, what target
distance would be that target? Just -0.75? Should the astigmatism
in the second eye be part of this calculation? I think it's about
half a diopter too (not sure).
(For the sake of the calculation, just assume that they could hit the
target, even though we know there will be some fudging and error.)

thanks,
Liz

 

... if I want the second eye to match the first one, what target distancewould be that target? Just -0.75? Should the astigmatism in the second eye be part of this calculation?

I do....

OK.


If the right eye already has astigmatism, should be that calculated
into the target?

The focus should get more distancy as it heals?

Is that because you'd rather have the second eye at -0.50, rather than
having it match the first eye? Or because you think a target of -0.50
would tend to give a result of -0.75 to -1.00?


(My own goal is to have them match - god knows I'm confused enough
without having them different.)


cheers,
Liz

 

Am buried and will reply in a few days.

cheers,
L.