Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

If I had to do it over again, I think I would opt for distance correction in one eye and close-up correction in the other, and astigmatism correction in both. This way, you don't really need glasses for anything. Your brain synthesizes the two focal length ranges and you perceive both views as sharp, as long as both your eyes are open. I opted for corrected distance in both eyes and now have 20-20 distance vision but need reading glasses for anything closer than about 30". I figured that I would be wearing safety glasses in the shop regardless, so it wouldn't be a problem to wear progressives like I had been doing for 50-odd years anyway. 

Nowadays, intra-ocular lens technology can correct most vision problems, including bifocal correction and astigmatism. The cost goes up with the more full-featured options, but it's gotta be worth it. The worst thing about progressive lenses is that you can't focus on  things above your head without craning your neck way back. Bifocal IO lenses would take care of that.

Ellis 

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

My cataract surgery, 18 months ago, resulted in a remarkable improvement in the clarity and sharpness of my vision.  I chose the distance focal length for the lenses, and also lenses that correct for my astigmatism.  My vision has been corrected to 20-20 at distance without glasses.  However, I chose to also purchase prescription glasses with progressive focal length for reading in the lower portion of the lens, and no correction in the distance, or upper, portion.  This choice means I don’t need to go through the drill of removing and replacing glasses to switch between reading and distance.  I wear the glasses most of the time and especially in the shop.   

When driving, I just wear  drugstore off the shelf sun glasses, because there is no need for reading anything at arms length.  I can view and read the dash instruments, including the navigation screen on the dash, with no difficulty.  

In my last eye checkup I told the surgeon that I wake up every morning and thank her when I look out our bay window.

 I now enjoy driving again.  It’s a lot less nerve wracking when you can see the traffic signals and interstate signs clearly at a distance.

Good luck with your surgery. 

Paul in Hunt Valley, MD

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

I had my eyes done last year and since I don't wear corrective lenses for my woodturning, computer work, reading and doing puzzles I opted for clear lenses and I continue to wear corrective lenses for all else. It is so great to be able to see again.

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

I had my cataracts done several years ago and went with distance lenses. Rightly or wrongly, I assumed that having 2 eyes "the same" would make for better depth perception and who knows if my old brain would handle one distance, one close . What I did find is that even though I need readers for closer viewing, the lenses did make the necessity of using them less of a problem unless the item is quite close.

I always thought people who had their reading glasses hanging around their neck on a string looked like dorks, I have to admit it is handy!  Sometimes I have a "non-stringed" pair of glasses on, take them off and let them go assuming they will hang by the string and of course, they fall onto the floor! Now you see why I was concerned about the brain issue .

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

I have not had cataract surgery (yet) but to piggyback onto what Ellis said I have been doing the thing with one eye for close and one for distance for over 20 years with contact lenses. Your brain figures out which one is needed and that eye becomes dominant, works great. No glasses and no cheaters.

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

Jay, when my short distance vision began to fail but my long distance vision was still fine I did similar to you at the suggestion of my optician to give a try. The difference in my case was that I was prescribed a single contact lens to correct the short vision in one eye and therefore no lens and no correction for the other eye. I found that my brain was never really happy with the mixed messages I was getting from my eyes and after about six months I gave up on the idea. The end result was that I got prescription reading glasses for close work. This resulted in me usually carrying my glasses lifted up on the top of my head most of the time and simply flipping them down to do close work.

I'm aware that many people can and do adapt to mixed prescription eye correction, i.e., one eye corrected for long distance and the other corrected for close work with glasses, contact lenses or surgery, but it didn't work for me. Now, the question is moot because I now need prescription varifocals to correct the vision of both eyes that I basically put on in the morning and forget about for the rest of the day, unless I'm working around machinery at which point I swap my normal glasses for safety glasses with the same prescription.

None of the above helps anyone make a choice about the surgery and lens options, I'm afraid. Sorry. Slainte.

Re: Which cataract lens choice for woodworking?

Peter, I know the monovision thing  sounds a little wierd but most people don't have any problem with it. I agree with you about bifocals being VERY distracting and also the progressive bifocals are the worst. I like Ellis's plan if he had it to do over .

Re: Which cataract lens? A better test for Peter

Peter - a better (cheaper?) test would be to get some samples of daily wear contact lenses from your prescriber (to test).  That would tell you whether your brain can adjust (but it might involve adjusting to contacts).  I have used monovision contacts for 15 years or so (not the daily ones if that matters).

Henry

Thanks for all the help! Consultation appointment is Monday afternoon.

Update

At my appointment, one of the scans revealed that I am borderline on something called Keratoconus. It's a thinning and bulging cornea. The surgeon is consulting his colleagues, but looks like I will be limited to a simple lens replacement.