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Everyone heals at a different rate. Discuss with you doctor. Most patients with average cataracts and otherwise healthy eyes can see well enough to legally drive the day after surgery... but you need to confirm this with your eye doctors. Yes... You will receive anesthesia during the surgery.

Hi Linda, The many different options can be overwhelming. To simplify things, think about how you'd like your vision to look. Explain this to an experienced surgeon, and he/she will guide you to the right lens option. This article & video may help: bestcataractsurgeons.com/lens-options-with-cataract-surgery/

It's a new lens. Maybe it will make next year's list.

Elizabeth - I will be having cataract surgery on both eyes in October. I'd had my mind set on the PanOptix until I found out about the ClearView 3. While virtually all ophthalmologists use the PanOptix, there aren't many that are currently using the ClearView 3, although the number is always increasing. The Lenstec site has a link to find a doctor near you who does use them. Also, not all patients are good candidates for the ClearView 3. I'm hoping that I am - I have an appointment for a consultation to find out!

@@kathleenlenkeit6509 good luck! I have an appointment in September.

There are many patients who have done this. Discuss with your surgeon if this is suitable for you. Every combination comes with trade-offs. While you may hope to gain better distance vision with less glare & halos in your dominant eye with this strategy, you will give up some of your dominant eye's near vision. For some patients this trade-off may be worth it, and for others, not worth it. You also may find that if you do the PanOptix in your non-dominant eye first, that the glare & halos are not bothersome to you, in which case, you may be more confident to do a PanOptix in your dominant eye. The most important thing is to go to an experienced surgeon who can match your eye exam to your vision goals, and has experience with these implants. Of course, we can not offer this type of personalized advice over the internet without examining your eyes. Would you like us to recommend a surgeon near you?

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thanks for the response. Yes, I would like a recommendation. Anywhere in the Lancaster or Palmdale or Bakersfield or surrounding area would be preferable.

Great to hear! Congrats on the excellent outcome!

Thanks for sharing! Congrats!

There have been some significant advances... Laser cataract surgery has improved adding safety to the procedure, and there are a variety of new lens implants such as PanOptix & Light Adjustable Lens. Most importantly... choose an experienced surgeon and you should have a great outcome. Good luck!

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thanks for this encouraging advice!! Much appreciated.

You're welcome 😊

For those looking to learn more about the possible side effects of different lens implants, check out the links in the description. For example, here is our comprehensive article on the PanOptix, which includes FDA data on potential side effects: bestcataractsurgeons.com/panoptix-lens-review/

Halos may be less noticeable and less bothersome (if they're bothersome at all) with this strategy. This is the sort of nuanced questions that should be discussed directly with a surgeon who has experience using this strategy. Of course, all of this depends on the unique characteristics of your eyes, and how your eyes may differ from one another.

We reached out to their team before we made this video when their lens implant was pre-released. They didn't get back to us! The lens is still very new... We will consider it for next years video.

What additional info are you looking for?

Yes. These lens implants can all be used for presbyopia. If you don't technically have cataracts yet, the procedure of removing your natural lens and replacing it with a prescription implant to correct your vision is called "Custom Lens Replacement" or "Refractive Lens Exchange".

You can learn more about it here: bestlasiksurgeons.com/resources/custom-lens-replacement-clear-patient-guide/

Care to explain?

Dry eyes will limit the performance of any lens implant. There are a variety of reasons why dry eyes & the tear film can worsen after any eye surgery -- but the good news is that any worsening related to cataract surgery is usually temporary.

Glad it was helpful!

Checking pressure without numbing drops might be uncomfortable... but it would not cause permanent damage.

Great lens! Might make our 2025 list next year!

@@bestcataractsurgeons i’m holding out for the jellisee or juvene accommodative lenses, uses all the light for all distances using your own eye muacles

IV sedation works very well on patients with ADHD. Of course, discuss with your surgeon. They may recommend that you don't take your ADHD medicine on the day of the procedure.

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thank you doctor for your reassuring answer ! That was my feeling too but my surgeon strongly recommended full anesthesia. He said that this is the norm for young patients because they are often more anxious than older ones and so they are not cool during surgery. I was a bit anxious but what he said to me definitely scared me whereas I was expecting more reassurance from him.

Great comment! We love hearing first hand experiences like this. Few can offer your unique perspective as both an experienced eye doctors & a patient!

It depends. That's a borderline amount of astigmatism. I would say usually that's not enough astigmatism for a toric implant, but it is possible depending on which axis the astigmatism is at. You are correct that leaving a small amount of astigmatism can result in a great depth of focus (i.e. range of vision)... Discuss with your surgeon if that is your desired outcome. It's not automatic that "leaving small amount can result in better intermediate" unless a few other things are taken into account in the surgical plan. This is a very subtle question... a very good question!!! But let us be clear that this is not medical advice for your specific situation, and we recommend you discuss this excellent question with your doctor.

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thank you so much. Your response is very clear and I do recall my surgeon saying I had irregular astigmatism so I will follow up with him right away. I appreciate the time you took to explain it so well. 🙏

Lucidis is not available in the United States... so we don't have any experience with it. Here is a study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9167139/

Good news. Cataract surgery is done about 5 million times in the United States annually. So many patients feel that way before their procedure... but the sedation will make them relaxed & sleepy. One of the first thing most patients say when it's over: "Is that it? Are we really done already!" :D

Do not worry! The vast majority of cataract surgeries are very quick and completely painless to the patient. I had mine in February of this year (2024), and there was absolutely nothing to it. I don’t remember a thing. You’ll be just fine.

@@lorireece1970 very scared

Great question. Clearview 3 is new, and most surgeons don't have a lot of first hand experience yet with the lens to know how it performs. The best we can do at this time is point you toward the FDA report that reviews the clinical trial data in detail. You can find it here: www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf20/P200020B.pdf Maybe it will make next year's list.

Great question. You are correct that it is new, and there are a lot of surgeons that don't have a lot of first hand experience yet with the lens to know how it performs. The best we can do at this time is point you toward the FDA report that reviews the clinical trial data in detail. You can find it here: www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf20/P200020B.pdf

"Enhanced monofocals" are still considered monofocals by the FDA. However, they can provide an extended range of vision. The Eyhance doesn't deliver as much range as "extended depth of focus" implants... but does deliver more than many other types of monofocals. This is an in-between category... We may need to make a separate video just on this topic.

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thank You !

Also, it's the only one that most insurance providers will cover completely. Premium lenses are an out of pocket expense and usually require you to pay 8 to 10 times the cost of the lens itself. For those that can afford it, it's a good option. My advice would be to educate yourself before you choose a proper lens for your eyes. A healthy dialogue with your eye doctor is paramount as well. If you are not comfortable with a eye doctor, go somewhere else and ask questions, especially if you don't understand what they tell you. Take care and good luck to everyone.

This leaves out a lot of details. Monofocal lens implants provide the least range of vision. Monofocals also come in a variety of types, toric monofocals, enhanced monofocals, adjustable, and different materials. A monofocal will also not achieve clear vision unless astigmatism is managed. Every patient is different. Oversimplifying to "one lens is the best for everyone" is dangerous.

Insurance companies cover a basic monofocal that does not account for astigmatism or other higher order optical aberrations. Patients choosing a basic monofocal implant should expect to need glasses for all ranges of vision. That is, they should expect to need bifocal or trifocal glasses after surgery. Some patients may get lucky who happen to have low corneal astigmatism and not need distance glasses after surgery, however, if your astigmatism is not managed with imaging prior to surgery, there is no way to know this in advance.

I have diplopia. Came on suddenly last year. Have checked everything and no reason for it. Other than decomensating esotropia. I wear prism glasses. I’m about to do LAL. I am not confident this lens is best. I had PRK 30 + years ago. No astigmatism. Is a Vivity ok with past PRK? I expect to need prism glasses post.

'Only if you don't want to see your phone.

This is incorrect. The PanOptix Multifocal implant is the most popular presbyopia-correcting implant in the United States. It is used more often than the most common EDOF implants, which are the Vivity and Symfony implants. In general, EDOF lenses do not deliver as much range of vision as diffractive multifocal implants, however, they can have the benefit of less unwanted glare & halo symptoms. There is no one-size-fits-all "best lens". There are pros & cons to all.

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thank you for explaining that. Unfortunately my eyes are not suitable for multifocal so I will have to choose from what I will be offered.

Great to hear your story! You were very farsighted indeed. Many patients with your extreme amount of farsightedness choose to have the best distance vision like you did.

@@bestcataractsurgeons This is a strong positive for me as I never expected what I got in the improvements to my vision. Everything is clearer focused and easier for me and I got to ditch those heavy clunkers of glasses and use just a pair of lightweight glasses. I for years would get the smallest possible wire frames and high index transition lenses. To be able to work out in the yard with some safety sunglasses and leave the glasses in my shop and not need them just so amazing to me.

This is relatively common early on, and almost always goes away on its own over time. Be sure to discuss with your surgeon!

No problem 😊

Clearview 3 is relatively new and doesn't yet have a large surgeon following in the United States. Surgical techniques are constantly changing. If we find that surgeons report good results, increasing their preference for and use of the Clearview 3, we may consider it for next year's list.

@@bestcataractsurgeons ok that makes sense thank you

Nope. The lens implant sits behind the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. So cataract surgery does not change eye color.

You're welcome! :D

Good points. Everyone has glare & halos after cataract surgery... For some patients it's bothersome for a few weeks. For others it can last months. In the vast majority of patients any long-term residual glare & halo symptoms are mild. However, every patient is different, and comes into surgery with different risk factors, such as dry eyes, corneal scars, irregular astigmatism, and more. Important to discuss your personal risk factors with your surgeon. Lastly... Yes! Many patients love the combination of PanOptix in one eye, and Vivity in the other.

Sure! The PanOptix has a trifocal design, which is designed to achieve vision free from glasses for distance, intermediate range, and near vision. The Symfony is designed to give an "extended range of vision" that is more continuous than the PanOptix; however, the Symfony will not give as much near vision. So you may expect to be more dependent on reading glasses if you choose the Symfony. This is a simplified understanding of the lens implants, which assumes your surgeon is aiming for a distance target. The most important thing in making your decision is going to a skilled surgeon who can discuss your lifestyle & vision goals with you, and match them to the right lens implant, taking into account your ocular health. Of course, since we do not know that information about you, we cannot give any recommendation on which lens to choose.

"Intermediate" typically means the distance of a desktop computer monitor or the dashboard in the car. This is usually a bit closer than most pool players would like. Let your surgeon know, and they can set your vision a little further out, if that's your goal. Please like & subscribe :D

Hard to say without examining your eyes... Things that can cause these symptoms: dry eyes, irregular astigmatism, residual refractive error, other corneal irregularities, persistent corneal edema, posterior capsular opacification, decentration of the lens implant... Often it takes a few months for your brain to adapt to these symptoms, and they eventually go away in most. For the small percentage of patients who remain persistently bothered by these symptoms, the lens implant can be removed and exchanged for another one. If your surgeon does not adequately address your dissatisfaction, then you should strongly consider a 2nd opinion.

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thank you

Congrats!

@@bestcataractsurgeons thanks a lot

Glad you got your astigmatism corrected! Did you get toric lens or Femtosecond laser to correct it?

@@aminmeghani6819 I get toric lens, but I had LASIK on my left eye as well

Replacing a lens implant with another lens implant is referred to as an "IOL exchange". Some surgeons are more comfortable with doing this technique than others. Generally, it is better to do this sooner, rather than later. Some surgeons will only do exchanges during the first 3-6 months after the implant was placed. After that period of time, the original lens implant becomes more "stuck in place" and can be more difficult to get out.

@@bestcataractsurgeons Thank you.

What do you recommend for someone that has had lasik to correct an astigmatism 15 years ago and now has cataracts?

Every patient is different... However, LASIK can impact the accuracy of the measurements taken for your lens implant. The Light Adjustable Lens is particularly good for many patients with a history of LASIK. This is because the prescription can be adjusted or "fine-tuned" after the implant is already inside your eye. This makes it the most accurate lens to hit the desired target for many patients. Check out our video about it!

I have multifocal toric IOL in both eyes

Let us know how it turned out!

I'm surprised you had as much night driving sight issues as you did with Vivity. The consensus opinion seems to that's mostly with the Panoptics. Do you find you need reading glasses for small print with Vivity, like they said?

Yes, I was surprised and very disappointed too. It’s quite a bit better now, hopefully it will continue to improve with time. Yes, I do need reading glasses for fine print and I use reading glasses in the evening or when the light is dim. I find light makes a big difference as to how I can read small print.

​@@jgriffin282 Can you read comments with Vivity without reading glasses?

Thank you for sharing

@@jgriffin282 Hello! Can you read your cell phone without glasses?

There are many patients who do that. PanOptix in one eye, and Vivity in the other.

Don’t you still see halos because of the panoptics even if it’s in one eye?

CONCLUSIONS: This review of 42 studies provides evidence that there is probably little or no difference between FLACS and PCS in terms of intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative visual acuity and quality of life. Evidence from two studies suggests that FLACS may be the less cost-effective option.