Hello to all, at consultation yesterday for cataract in RE only, surgeon advised standard monofocal set to intermediate, target post op refractive error of -1.50 to balance dominant LE astigmatism of -2.75. Astigmatism correction WITH GLASSES. Dr. said "Leave LE alone, why do it if it doesn't need it", etc. Indeed, I see 20/20 in LE, corrected.
I am dissatisfied but now fairly close to being resigned to this solution, for reasons I will get to shortly. Dissatisfied because it has been a very long-held dream of mine to be glasses-free or as close to that as possible. I have many reasons for this, but they all reduce to my feeling that I am a much, MUCH better person when I take them off. (Except for not being able to see too well of course).
I had hopes of cataract surgery being a great boon instead of a life-stopping problem, the cataract resulting from a RE vitrectomy (macula-off RD) done October of 2022. After finding this site and educating myself about my new challenge, it dawned on me that this 'problem' was actually an opportunity to be free of glasses! I finally figured that I could get toric lenses in both eyes, set them for mini-monovision (distance and near combination I think it is), and then just have to wear readers perhaps for extended reading. End of problem! Dr. Hagan endorsed! I still harbor that hope.
The following (I admit are) cogent reasons for my being close to resigned to my surgeon's solution:
1. Dr. Hagan's stricture of "PROTECT THE EYE WITHOUT THE RD". Risk of RD in (my) other eye "extreme". (I looked for this post, to get its DATE, but could not find it again).
2. My surgeon's seemingly sound advice to not do anything with my left, good eye.
3. Being unconvinced by the advice of a "VERY knowledgeable" tech (who also participated in my consult) (this accolade from the surgeon himself), who advised "With modern techniques there is not as much concern about having an RD in one's other eye as there used to be".
4. Being also unconvinced of this same tech advising that my blepharitis (NOT a diagnosis, just a term I selected to describe a recurring "gunk in eyes" problem I have) was not something to worry about should I desire to go with toric lenses. (I was worried my constant, multiple-times-every-day digging into my eyes to clear them might cause my lenses to go out of alignment).
5. A simple procedure, low complication risk.
I would like to hear this most intelligent and helpful forum's thoughts: Should I take my resignation and dissatisfied thoughts and live with them, laying aside my life-long dream of being (mostly) glasses-free, settling for limited potential? Do you think the surgeon's solution is best? Is he and Dr. Hagan right or is this outdated advice? Would it be a bad idea to implement my solution and try to be "the best that I can be?" I understand my last question can possibly be answered with an "Only you can decide that"- type answer. What I would like to hear about is my best MEDICAL course of action. Including other options.
I have surgery scheduled for 9/21. All replies appreciated, thank you very much in advance.