I posted this on the iol page but thought I might get more replies on main forum. I am -13 and -13.5 with astigmatism of 3 or more. I have consulted about Lasik but I have thin corneias and I am not a candidate for Lasik. I am considering IOL. I see two types. One in front of your original lens and one that replaces your original lens. I am 40 years old and in good health otherwise. I would like comments on either type of IOL and also I would like to know if there is a sergeon in East Oregon or the Tri-cities of Washington that performs IOL procedures.

Greg

Your pescription is way too high and your corneas too thin for lasik. At your age of 40, you have very little accomodation left so you may want to consider clear lens extraction. Youll still need glasses but the reading kind(unless you choose to be undercorrected) I dont know how well IOLs can address astigmastim so you may need bifocal glasses. IOLs may mean thinner glasses but probably not freedom from glasses. Is this worth it?

I am looking for a surgeon closer to where I live than Portland so I can discuss my options and get better educated. I recently moved to this area and have consulted with Dr Vance Thompson in Souix Falls, SD. I am hoping to leave my original lens in as this seems to give me more of a safety net should the iol need to be removed in the future. I am also wondering about multi-focal iol's that are being tested. Do any of the Dr's on the panel know anyone they can recommend in East Oregon or the Tri-cities of Washington state?

Greg

If you get clear lens extraction and they need to be removed, you can still wear glasses and because you are so highly myopic, the plus glasses will be low power. Both options are good but the aphakic one will prevent cateracts from ever forming. If you get phakic IOLs and later develop cateracts, the phakic IOLs will be removed and your cateracts removed and aphakic IOLs inserted in its place. Ask your doctor about this.