Cataract surgery and lens choice for archery

[old_goat2]

So my wife needs cataract surgery and doctor made mention of what lens to choose. I'm thinking for shooting archery and judging distance she would want both lenses to be the same power and normal power. Any guidance from people that have had this done?

[Danny Rowan]

Had both eyes done several years ago. Dr told me what lens and power. Most people will still need glasses just not as strong.

[McDave]

I had cataract surgery in both eyes 10 or so years ago.  My choice of lenses was a little unusual, because I had been using monovision contact lenses for a number of years before that.  Monovision contact lenses means that you wear a lens for near vision in one eye and a lens for far vision in the other eye, so that you can see both near and far without wearing reading or distance glasses.  I liked the monovision contact lenses, so the doctor said he would use them for the internal lenses as well.  He said he wouldn't have done that unless I was already using them, because not everyone likes them, and they would be hard to change out after cataract surgery.

I like them even better for internal lenses than for contact lenses, because I see better in general, and of course no longer have the slight discomfort and trouble of wearing contact lenses.  My left lens, which is my distance lens, has gradually improved over the years until it is now 20/20, and I can read the tiniest print off the reading chart with my right lens. 

For years I put a supplemental contact lens in my right eye to shoot the bow, but in the last few years I have not used one.  My right eye, which is my dominant eye, picks up the arrow, and my left eye picks up the target.  When I shoot left handed, I assume my left eye does all the work and my right eye is just along for the ride.  I'll bet I’m the only one in the whole world who aims that way, but it works for me.

I would not recommend bifocal lenses.  I tried them in contacts, and didn't see very well near or far.  The doctor said if I wasn't happy with them in contact lenses, I probably wouldn't be happy with them in internal lenses either.  I did wear bifocal eyeglasses before the cataract operation when I wasn't wearing contact lenses, and those worked fine, but with bifocal glasses you're either seeing near or far; not trying to do both at the same time.

If the only consideration were archery, picking lenses that corrected for distance only would probably be the best option.  The only disadvantage would be having to wear reading glasses, but most people have to do that anyway as they get older.  In my case, I picked a distance lens that didn't totally correct my distance vision, rather than one that would give me 20/20 vision right away, because normally as people age their eyes shrink and distance vision improves a little.  This is a crap shoot though, and not everybody is going to be as lucky as I was to grow into 20/20 vision over time. 

Regardless, everybody I know that has had cataract surgery has been happy with the results, so it is a good thing to look forward to.

[Orion]

They do have progressive lenses now, however, most folks have fixed focal length lenses installed. I had fixed lenses done when I had my cataract surgery a year or so ago, set up to correct for distance vision. Still need glasses for up-close/reading work. Has worked out fine for me. 

[David Mitchell]

I have had both eyes done and was very near sighted before the surgery.  The lens I chose were standard lens to correct for distance vision and I use readers for up close.  The only thing I might reconsider would be the toric lens which would correct for both distance and astigmatism.  I didn't go that route due to cost as much as anything else.  I don't regret my decisions at all.  For the first time since I got my first driver's license at 16 I passed the vision test when I renewed my license without glasses in October and I'm 77 now. Also, there really isn't much at all to the surgery.  You won't feel any discomfort, they do sedate you, it takes about 20 minutes for one eye.  You will see better immediately after the surgery. 

[dnovo]

I had both eyes done back in 2013. Man am I happy with it. I can’t remember seeing this good. I did the Toric lens in my right eye for distance. It was an extra $1600 but worth it. My left eye I did the standard lens which is great for intermediate. I can see. I do use cheap readers for reading and very close stuff. From about 3-4 ft out I can see everything. The standard lens allows me to read the dash of my truck without glasses.

[Sam McMichael]

I had one eye fixed in January and the other fixed in February of this year. I see much better, but the doc says the healing process will be a little longer, so we won't know what glasses I may ultimately need till later. He knows my right eye is dominant and acted accordingly, but I don't know if he selected anything special for the other eye. He told me that I will probably still need glasses for reading but not as strong as my current ones. As for bifocals or not, I have used trifocal progressive lenses for years, and they worked just fine. In my opinion it is necessary to see the point of aim clearly with less concern for things close up when shooting. I am seeing the target more clearly now than I have in many years. Here is what I am considering for glasses: bifocal progressive lenses with the transitional feature so I don't have to swap around to get sunglasses and/or regular glasses. The sunglasses are important, because everything seems much brighter than before the surgery.

[MattfromVT]

The vast majority of our patients get their distance vision corrected in both eyes and just need readers. Lots of them still wear bifocals/progressives so they don't have to take the readers off and on all day. For shooting she'd probably be fine with no glasses, although there's an argument for always wearing eye protection while shooting.

[TooManyHobbies]

I had mine done a few years ago. I was extremely myopic. Both eyes set for distance. AMAZING. Readers for close up. For bow hunting it's perfect, you don't need to see the arrow clearly.

[2wfstlhunting]

I couldn't be happier to finally see this exchange of experiences.  At 68yo, the lens implant issue is quickly sneaking up on me and I have been asking the same questions.  Overall, it appears that, as usual, simple is better (for most of the people here) and that makes me a bit more comfortable.  After 50 years with glasses I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a pair.  Oh, now I have to figure out how to keep track of reading glasses.

[bluemelonchitlin]

Had both of mine done two years ago. Distance lens in both eyes so I have to use readers. I didn't get a choice of lens. Now my vision is better than 20/20.

[M60gunner]

Had my eyes done back in 2003. Only 2 choices near or far. I went with both for distance. I use progressive reader glasses. Same prescription , same glasses all these years. The new lenses offer more options but cost more money and insurance may not cover more expensive lenses

[old_goat2]

Thanks guys, and the good news is her doctor ended up being a traditional archer!