Multifical lens replacement - Eyesight

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Asking for people's experience and if it is possible here in Switzerland?

My sister just had it done recently in the UK and is super happy with the results.

It sounds great and better than laser surgery as it is permanent and looking at the price of glasses they charge me here, the 4K it costs would soon be a saving.

Not to mention the fact it is as mentioned previously permanent

Guessing it is unlikely to be covered by insurance here, will check mine later.

2
It may be covered only if you have a medical need for lens replacement, like a cataract.

3
I am awaiting a cataract op and it has been suggested that I consider this option. I am uncertain about it and would also be interested to hear of anyone else's experience. A friend of mine tried multi focus contact lenses and they made him feel nauseous.

For anyone undergoing cataract surgery, the costs are obviously covered by health insurance with a basic lens replacement. Patients have the option to choose an upgraded/corrected lens at thier own cost.

4
I had cataracts and have monofocal lens implants. The left eye sees clearly from about 0.5 to 2m, the right eye is for long distance. I got used to it very quickly, and generally I don't need reading glasses. (Sometimes longer arms would help though... ). I'm delighted with the results. I kind of wish I'd done it earlier - I'd have saved a fortune in prescription glasses. I do have reading glasses distributed around the house, and a small thin pair that sit in a pocket on my mobile phone. Since they're really cheap, I don't find them a bother.

One eye was astigmatic, so I had a toric lens for that. Since it was a medical necessity, I only had to pay for the extra cost (toric, and slightly better lenses that reduce visual artifacts). The advantage of multifocal lenses over monofocal is they reduce the chance you'll need reading glasses. The disadvantage is you're more likely to have visual artifacts such as starbursts and glare.

5
Thank you for that helpful response. I am probably the only person who actually likes wearing contact lenses. Stupid to say, but they are a great stabilising base for eye liner and I am well known for my ability to chop onions without tears. Despite the potential savings I would be a bit reluctant to see them go. I also have an astigmatism. I think I would only consider monofocal lenses.

Glad to hear that the OP's sister has had such a good experience though.

6
The trick to chopping onions without tears is to not form an emotional bond with them in the first place.

7
Just to check, do you mean multi focal lenses? Or are multi fical lenses something different?

(Before I natter on about my recent Series Of Unfortunate Events, need to make sure we are talking apples to apples...)

8

No, you’re not. I had contact lenses for years and years (the hard type that you can wear for years and years), but eventually was advised to drop them because they were causing the eye to deform a bit. So I’ve been wearing glasses ever since. And yeah, they’re great for chopping onions and not steaming up with you open the hot oven door or go outside in the cold weather.

Did have cataract ops end of 2020 and also had a retinal problem corrected so have almost perfect long distance vision now, but need glasses for reading/computer/close up stuff.

9
I was told that when artificial lenses are chosen to be put into the eye instead of the natural lense which has become opaque (cataract), multi focus lenses are good for people who move around frequently from one activity to the next, indoors and outdoors, so they won't need to keep changing glasses single focus lenses are good for people who have a single, main distance, at which they spend many hours a day, so that sewing or watchmaking or building fine electronics need a focal length that is really close by, working on a pc or with people only a desk-length away another, and farming or bird-watching a longer.

The choice, I was told, is partly also a question of personality, of one's usual or favourite acitivites, one's pace-of-life, and in to what extent one can tolerate (or is annoyed by) a less-than-ideal solution. If one is easy-going and casual and doesn't mind a little less than precision in general, or isn't much annoyed by the delay and hand movements necessary to find and put on the right glasses in those times when one does, indeed, need precision, then multi focus lenses might save one a whole lot of hassle, without much inconvenience. If, on the other hand, one loves tiny nuances, and needs precise detail, then it'd perhaps be better to choose single focus lenses for one favourite focal length, where one is going to be most in need of and most satisfied by being able to see properly. And then augment with glasses for the other distances in which one generally spends less of the time.

10
I tried them briefly about 15 years ago and I had a horrible time with eyeliner. I gave up on them after a month because Make-up was impossible. And my eyes were terribly dry. Respect to you.

11
Yes any you can even get a trifocal lens which will do all aspects of vision or a lot go for an EDOF, extended depth of focus lens. A lot depends on your activities or the anatomy of your eye might restrict you for certain advanced technology lenses.

I think the health insurance pays for a standard monofocal lens so you need to pay rest out of pocket for advanced lens or if you want the laser treatment that not all opthalmic practices have, the better docs have the laser.

12
I don't know. The doc I had was pretty good. They asked me what diopters I would like - warning it's +/- 0.5, and he was dead on.

13
When I was considering Lasik, they first had me try the multi focal contacts and I was sick within a few hours. If you're considering the change, definitely try the contacts first!

Given the experience with the contacts, I opted to correct both eyes for distance. It's been more than 3 years and I still don't need glasses even for reading. At my last appointment, the doc said my eyes have naturally adjusted to where one is a bit better with close-up and the other with distance.

14
+1

I have worn contact lenses since 1976 and am not keen to give them up. One eye is -15, the other -16.50....contacts bring this down to approx -13.5 and -15, depending on whether one aiming for a monovision solution.

Spent 2 hrs last week at a consultation to optimise my prescription as I am aware I can/should see better. Was strongly advised to wear my glasses more, for the health of my eyes - not an option during daytime as I am likely to bit hit by a tram and mistaken for a daytime drinker. Lenses allow me to be clearheaded and not cut things meant to be untouched (I work with animals )

The opticians suggestions were multiple pairs of specs (sounds expensive) Am wearing my glasses more at night, ie taking out lenses before I accidentally nod off, but operating suboptimally (after 10pm is when I read/deal with admin/think....)

He also recommended the possibility of Vorderkammerlinser (not sure of English term, lenses that are inserted but not a permanent surgery...

Experience anyone?

15
So without correction, you're -15 and -16.50. With correction you're -13.50 and -15. Why not zero?

Vorderkammerlinser is Anterior Chamber Intraocular Lens. It's still surgery though.

16
Thanks for the translation, have honestly not had nor taken time for googling since my appt - in case it was unclear (much is w/my eyes) the numbers are the strengths required to supposedly give me clear vision, not what I’m left with after correction.

Zero is very tempting

17
I see. So you have to wear glasses as well as lenses. I was a bit confused.

If you choose IOC of whatever kind, best to go for -0.5, as there's an error margin. In my non-medical view of course!