The surgery is really simple, isn't it? As I mentioned above, I had both my eyes done last December. I have monovision -- one eye for distance and the other for closer. I've had a hard time adjusting to it and if I were to do it again, I would go for the very best distance vision and wear readers at the computer or when reading. I had to get glasses to help "even out" my distance vision. I was hoping I would not have to wear glasses after the surgery, other than readers. The glasses I got are bifocals. I can actually get by okay without the glasses, but I do feel a little eyestrain and slightly off balance. I also have to have the YAG laser procedure as there is some clouding resulting from the surgery. That will happen in May. Almost everyone I know who got simple monofocal lenses for distance is very happy with their result. I wish I were one of them. I would NEVER get the Restor multifocals. Too much risk. My night vision is greatly improved and I am happy with that.

My situation is probably different because of my astigmatism. Others may have better outcomes. I am unhappy with the Toric lens I had implanted Sept. 26. I was told I needed this special lens to correct my astigmatism. It didn't correct the astigmatism. I will still need to wear glasses full time. (I see 'shadow' images. For instance, each letter on a street sign has a blurry shadow of itself to the right. You sometimes see this when a newspaper or magazine is printed with the different colors not properly aligned. They are 'out of register'.) I'm out $1245 for this special lens, and, of course, have lost the eye's natural ability to change focus, near to far. I'm not having the left eye done, as I had planned. I've recently had two people comment that they were told by doctors that they *needed* cataract surgery, but have did not have it, and subsequently were told by other doctors that their cataracts were not serious enough to warrant surgery. Everybody HAS cataracts eventually, but I'd urge people to consider for themselves if theirs *require* surgery. I do have more light IN the operated eye, but I don't see an enormous difference. I think I was persuaded to act prematurely. (I'm 72.) This is a quick, very safe procedure for a surgeon to perform, and Medicare pays for single-distance lens surgery. I imagine there is a profit on 'special' lenses too.

For all who are afraid of doing this....don't be. I did not choose to have any sedation, but you can have a sedation and when you wake up, it is all over!....then you put on your dark sun glasses and walk out of the office. Don't expect prefect vision right away...it takes time for all of the swelling to go down...that is very natural. As with my first one on the other eye, I did not have the vision I wanted and I did go have a lens exchange and now I have perfect vision in the other eye...and I expect no less from this one ~ If you are of Medicare age, I would urge you to do this before all of the Obamacare changes come into effect...my optometrist doesn't like what he sees coming our way.

rhizo_1 - I just want to say that the procedure is done under a local - at least in Ontario, Canada. My husband had cataracts removed (he still wears glasses - with a strong prescription - but apparently sees better than he ever did?!). Wonderful, I guess. But I am terrified of having to have cataract surgery because I burn off locals and generals very quickly. I saw my husband being given the pre-surgery local - and they wheeled him away a short time later. If it had been me, the local would have worn off before the doctor left my bedside. I am far from being the only person with this issue. I can't take anything that would make the normal person drowsy - it has the opposite affect (and of course the non-drowsy products double that affect). Tylenol 3 is out because of the codeine. Sleeping pills are out for same reason. I once had the Cdn. equivalent of Ambien - well, 5 days later I was still up. So just in case you are one of the people who are very sensitive to being sedated I just thought I would mention it. Procedures in themselves do not scare me. I had a large mole removed from my face - the doctor told me I wouldn't feel anything for at least 2 hours - well it was 5 minutes. The "happy shot" before general surgery does not take and so on. I hope all goes well with your surgery and that you are not like me! But have it done - to both eyes.