When I had lasik they got rid of my astigmatism

 

Totally different operation. There are toric IOL's , but they aren't for everyone. This is why it pays to do your research, both on Dr's, and available IOL's.

 

Got the cataracts done by laser. Chose the distance vision option which made a big difference even though I still need glasses to read up close. Got bifocals with the bottom half for reading and the top without any prescription for shooting (acting as safety glasses). Another benefit is I no longer need glasses for driving and that requirement has been removed from by driver's licence. Best of luck with what ever option you choose!

 

I took the same route as senorric and it has worked out well. The procedures were a piece of cake and the laser is a superior tool compared to the human hand.

 

Had mine done last Sept and Oct, didn't like reviews or extra cost of toric or multifocal lens. I have astigmatism both eyes. Went with distance only in both eyes. I could shoot ok but left eye had some other issues, can drive with no problems but still need readers. I did get inserts for shooters and with the astigmatism adjustment see perfect when shooting. I had the scalpel method and everything turned out good, I think. Good luck with your choices.

 

Teh human hand worked well for me

 

I had cataract surgery both eyes five years ago. Toric lenses put in to correct astigmatism. Best decision I ever made. Distance vision 20/20. Still require cheaters for reading but so what, not at all a concern.

 

JFinch…….sameo for me. Very happy and I still wear glasses (trifocals) for computer work, close up stuff and for the protection as I’m not the most graceful guy. Surgeon said my visual acuity was still good thus Medicare wouldn’t cover the operation but then when I mentioned the glare especially at night when trying to drive….bingo. All fell in place. Best medical procedure I’ve had done.

Ernie

 

A fellow trapshooter and good friend had the expensive multifocal IOLs put in and was very disappointed in the results. Based on his experience I opted for the distance only lenses and I am very happy. I still wear bifocals because of astigmatism but not a problem since I have worn glasses from age 15.

 

Go for distance and use readers.

 

I agree with griz above. Toric reviews not great and expensive.

Went with distance and small rx for astigmatism. Have to wear glasses anyway to shoot, so no big deal.

I buy 5 pairs of readers from Amazon for $20 bucks and put a pair everywhere needed.

Best thing I ever had done. Like giving you your youth back.

Shoot well.

 

I agree with griz above. Toric reviews not great and expensive.

Went with distance and small rx for astigmatism. Have to wear glasses anyway to shoot, so no big deal.

I buy 5 pairs of readers from Amazon for $20 bucks and put a pair everywhere needed.

Best thing I ever had done. Like giving you your youth back.

Shoot well.

How well can you see sights on a pistol with that method ?

I'll be in the need soon to have something done but my astigmatism is so bad the Doc said I need new lenses sewed on my corneas after they remove the cataract and I'll still need a light Rx for glasses, not readers. mine are +.425 and thats a boatload of astigmatism

 

I had the old fashioned cataract surgery during which a slit is made in the side of the cornea through which the cloudy lens is removed and a new lens is implanted. My eyes were done about 8 years apart. I opted for distance vision in both eyes as I did not like the number of negative reviews I saw for multi-focal lenses. At my age then (about 50) I already needed readers so having distance correction in both eyes seemed the right choice. Between the two cataract surgeries I had lasik on both eyes which gave me 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other with my astigmatism corrected. Here's the kicker.

I recently noticed that my right (shooting) eye vision was less acute than my left eye. A trip to my local opthalmologist and optometrist reveals that I now suffer from asymetric astigmatism. They tell me this is a fairly common occurence years after lasik because the cornea starts to bulge out in random ways. So now I am awaiting a hard contact lens for my right eye to correct this condition.

The bottom line for me is, I think, that the KISS principle works better for eye surgery given the current state of the art.

FWIW,

 

I had conflicting advice from two different ophthalmologists. One said have toric lenses implanted in both eyes, the other recommended distance only and use glasses to correct the astigmatism, and for reading. He also suggested having only one eye done at this time. That doctor was from Mayo and I went with his advice. I now use Ranger glasses with a prescription, and it works fine. Part of the reason was I would still need shooting glasses for eye protection whether I had toric lenses or not, and he felt that not only would I save money, I would probably get better results. The procedure was done by laser and there was nothing to it. I am happy with the results.

 

I had cataract surgery in 1977 and 1979. I was too young for implants so I need contacts. Over the years I’ve tried them all and I’m most comfortable with single-vision gas permeable lenses (hard) for distance and reading glasses. My vision still tests out at 20/20.
Any contacts or spectacles with multiple focus lenses drive me nuts.
The gas perm lenses last a long time. My current set is well over ten years old.
I have often wished I was able to get the implants but I remain satisfied with the contacts plus a box of readers.

 

My Toric lens has worked out quite well. My Dr was not a fan of the multifocal IOLs. I went with distance only. I'm left eye dominant so I had the left eye lens set a little weaker than 20:20, so I can read with it. It's interesting because after about a year, my right eye will become dominant when I am a little tired, or have a beer . I am a one eyed shooter, If you use two eyes, I'd suggest going for the best distance vision possible in both eyes and going with readers.

 

I’m getting close to needing cataract surgery, and this thread has been very helpful. Thanks!

 

Me too.thanks

 

I have this to look forward to also. Thank you all for the insight.

 

I got the distance lens about 3 years ago at 58. Literally night and day, with sensitivity to sunlight. I gotta wear shades. When discussing astigmatism with the surgeon the pointed out the procedure was not a permanent fix. I opted to leave it alone since it's not debilitating at this point.

 

I appreciate all of this information.

I try not to drive at night now due to the starbursts from oncoming cars. I have to drive on many two lane roads and get blinded and find it extremely difficult to stay in my lane. The new cars with those super bright lights that are brighter than most ”brights” are murder.

It’s time to go to the ophthalmologist and this thread is very helpful.

 

And the lifted trucks who sit left when stopping for traffic lights, deserve a semi with high beams giving them the same courtesy.

 

I had the implants put in. Went for distance. Done in 2013. Don't really need anything for close up except for really fine print. Dollar general 5.00 glasses take care of the very fine print. Was told ill never have cataracts again with the implants. Had my eyes checked every couple years. Last checked was in November. Still 20/20 both eyes. Before having this done I wore coke bottles with trifocals and stigmatizum. I've never had any regrets and very seldom need anything for smaller print.
My eye Dr. told me at the time if I got the implants in ill never see you again. I'll lose you as a customer. He was right.

 

Ver6y helpful tread, I am in the cataract and lens pipeline now waiting to meet with surgen to discuss options. Several shooters at the club have been down this path and seemed to go for distance rather than multi- focal lens. Now trying to understand various lens and lens quality.

 

Due to cataracts and astigmatism, Dr recommends toric intraocular replacement lens. There are a couple options, surgery done with scalpel by hand or by laser. The other decision, toric or toric with extended depth of field. I am told that I would still need readers. Anyone gone either route? Happy with outcome? Enjoy shooting trap, skeet, and some handgun. The more advanced options keep raising the price. Dream gun, K-80 trap combo is getting pushed out a little farther.
I am leaning towards the toric edof with laser. Thanks, Andy Z.

I had my cataracts removed about 8 years ago by a doc in Philadelphia who was part of Wills Eye Hospital. In the process it solved my strong astigmatism, plus the Intraocular lens that were inserted were Multi-Focal in both eyes, so that I have excellent long distance and close up vision.

I'd needed reading glasses for the 10 years prior, but with the Multi-Focal lens I was able to collect all of them up and throw them in the trash.

I haven't heard of a reputable eye specialist using a scalpel in the last 10 years. 30 years ago that was common, but technology has advanced way, way, way beyond that. You need to talk to some Top Docs.

 

...I haven't heard of a reputable eye specialist using a scalpel in the last 10 years. 30 years ago that was common, but technology has advanced way, way, way beyond that. You need to talk to some Top Docs.

Some surgeons will say anything to make you think they can walk on water. It's called the God complex.

Some will tell the patient they took the eye out of the socket, laid in on their cheek to fix whatever it was they were fixing. Then put it back in. Wow, sounds impressive! But it is 100% fiction.

 

I have "mono vision" implants (cataract surgery) because that is the way my contacts were set up for 20 years. Right, dominant eye is corrected for distance and left eye for reading. If you have a month or two, I suggest getting soft, daily wear contacts set up this "mono vision" way to see if you like it. It seems to me that over the years this has insured my dominant eye stays dominant and prevents cross-over vision when shooting.

 

I had the toric lenses put in both eyes. I do not need glasses at all, either near or far.

 

Had LASIK done back in 2007. Left eye wasn't perfect as the anaesthetic started wearing off. LASIK machine had an overheating issue which reared it's head during my treatment.
Absolutely love it. 20/20 right, dominant eye, 20/30 in left eye.
Readers for books and screen's - get a headache if too much screen time otherwise life is good 👍.