I made the decision to go with regular lenses and am not sorry. My neighbor did the Restore and is happy with hers. I use a contact in my left eye when I go out or go shopping etc so that I don't have to wear readers. Around the house, the readers are no big deal.

I don't like driving at night and driving with contacts causes the halo effect too and I just didn't want that. I drive very little at night but wasn't willing to go that route. I am very happy with the regular lenses.

I'm not familiar with Restore lenses, but I know certain types of lens implants are risky as far as side effects go. I paid $2,000 for my lens implants. They did a "mini-monovision," that is 20/20 distance vision in my right eye, and somewhat nearsighted vision in my left. This enables me to read stove dials, etc., around the house, and work in the garden, drive, etc., without glasses.

I do need reading glasses for close work, and the strength depends on how close the work is. So I have several fairly cheap reading glasses--one pair for rug hooking, another for reading books.

My night vision was bad before the surgery, and no better afterward. Last week, five months after the surgery, I told the surgeon that all lights at night are starbursts. He said I needed a "simple, completely benign" procedure in which a cold laser would put a hole in my eye to reduce reflection. I'm supposed to have this done tomorrow, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.....

Alisande, I hope your procedure goes well, and I am sure it will. I think that is a common side effect of cataract surgery and done all the time. I think you are getting the YAG surgery and it is supposed to improve your night vision.

Ruthie, I will have to ask my doctor about the possibility of wearing a contact lens. That would be a good solution. Does your neighbor ever complain of glare or halos at night? I don't do a lot of night driving, but I want to be able to go places where and when I want, including in the evening.

Thanks. Can't wait to read more responses!

My husband had cataract surgery in both eyes about 5 years ago. But he's miserable now becauses long-distance vision is pretty bad. When he had the surgeries, they put a close vision lens in one eye and a distance lens in the other. I absolutely don't remember the brand name lenses but he had Medicare and Blue Cross and the surgeries were both covered. At first he was happy because he could read newspapers, see TV and drive, all without glasses. . The eye surgeon explained that your brain adjusts to the two different lenses. But now he's unhappy and has gone to the eye surgeon, retinal specialist and optomotrist to "fix" his vision. The surgeon will not do any more operations, ,he says DH eye is too fragile and he could end up blind. Retinal specialist says his vision is 20/30, which isn't too bad, and he should just get used to it. Optometrist has made over his glasses and says there's no more he can do. So maybe DH is a complainer, but he's unhappy with his vision. His mother had macular degeneration and was pretty much blind when she died. At least he doesn't have THAT.

I know a lot of people who have had the surgery without problems and don't know any that regretted having it done.

I am putting off the surgery as long as I can. I have good days and bad days with my vision. I am a high risk patient, the part they remove is attached in the back of the eye. The doc said when he cuts it loose it may leak. My vision wasn't bad enough at that time to take the risk. I am hoping my vision will last as long as I do. They have been slow growing so maybe they will.

Jannie my 94 yo mother also got the lenses for one far, one close eye. She does not have a real problem, but wishes she had the distance only. She still has to use glasses for most close work, so what was the point?

Thanks for sharing your DH's story. Not every cataract surgery has a satisfactory result. However, there seem to be more happy patients with the standard lens than with the others. Still, most with the Restor seem to be okay with it.

The Restor are called multifocal lenses and act more like a pair of bi or trifocal glasses. Both eyes see far and close.

I had the Restor lense put in both eyes in May 2010. I have very good farsighted vision but my nearsighted is pretty much as you heard it could be. Reading the menu in restaurants in almost impossible now as is reading recipes on can labels etc. I keep a magnifying glass handy for things like that. Would I have it done again? I'm not sure. Probably but it's sure not perfect. One of the things that bothers me is that now my baggy eyes show up for the world to see. I hate them.

My SO had a Crytalens (SP?) put in about 3 months ago. I am pretty sure if he had to do over again, he would have just had the cataract removed and no lens.
The surgery was successful and his vision is pretty good, but his other eye still needs a corrective lens, so he is still stuck wearing glasses all the time.

I've worn glass since I was in jr high, so I would not have a problem with that. I am not looking for a miracle, just to continue driving and seeing the best I can.

jkayd -- thank you for your feedback. That is so helpful. That is kind of what I have been reading. I solved the baggy eye problem a few years ago with an eyelift! Best money I ever spent and other than looking like I had been in a prize fight for a week or so, it wasn't bad at all.

Salgal, I'm sure your son had to have some kind of lens -- he wouldn't want to be lensless. Maybe once he gets the other eye done, he will be happier.

Vala, I also am a longtime glasses wearer -- since age 10. I had no luck with contacts. You make a good point.

Keep those reports coming. This is great.

I had my first cataract surgery two days ago so I'm right up on this. I went for the distance vision only and my dr. said he's make this eye so it could see the computer too. I'm thrilled with it. I sit here with my glasses on but the left lens popped out and I can see clear as a bell as I type. I do enlarge my print so that's a clue. As for close up smaller print, I'll just pop on a pair of cute cheaters. I get the second eye done in two weeks and I can't wait for life without glasses. It will be so wonderful to drive. We went out at last night for a drive and I could see oncoming cars with no flash or halos. Yippeeeee. Btw, my dr. is a top surgeon at Mass. General hospital and he doesn't recommend the two vision procedure for anyone unless they insist. I went by his recommendation and very happy. Here is the name of the lens he put in: Bausch & Lomb Model L161A0

Dedtired, glad to see you posting here!! I know you're a regular on the CF, and I'm a part-time poster there.

See, you should have come to the Table in the first place to put your question. Everyone here is so helpful!!!! ;~D

Yes, it's the YAG procedure. After posting above, I called the surgeon's office and got the lowdown on risks, etc. (something I should have done last week). They do a lot of these procedures (15 tomorrow including mine), and have never had a problem. I feel more positive about it now.

Crystalens is the one my doctor won't use because of the possible side effects. I remembered the name when I saw Salgal mention it above. I think Florence Henderson appears in the Crystalens ads.

I forgot to ask the doctor's office what kind of lens implants I have. I must say I'm happy I took that option, despite the night vision problem. After wearing glasses since the age of 6, it's very nice not to have to wear them, especially under certain circumstances. And I enjoy my new cool sunglasses--several pairs!

I had prescription glasses quite a few years ago, about when I was in my 50s, mainly for close work, but didn't get renewals, opting for reading glasses, which seemed to do the trick.

I've had to use reading glasses for years but didn't have trouble with distance vision, seeig well at night to drive, etc. and my doctors recommended cataract op. for both eyes several years ago.

I had them done, with no pain, discomfort or complications. I don't know what lenses they installed, but I didn't feel that there was major improvement: I could see distance objects equally well, but I don't think much better, than before, and didn't notice a difference for close vision: still needed reading glasses.

ole joyful

OMG -- all these great responses! I feel as if I have hit gold. Thanks and keep 'em coming.

Wow, Yaya -- just two days ago? I'm so happy to hear you are doing so well.

I have had cataracts removed from both eyes and have the lenses that Medicare pays for!! I still wear bifocals as I have for many years and get along just fine. The surgery was the easiest thing I have ever done.

This is realy why I love the KT. I don't need this done yet, but in a few years it will be time, and I am learning so very much, just as I do from other posts. Thanks for all the questions asked, and all the answers given.