I must apologize for being so slow to post an update in recent months. Lots of things to update you on. First of all: the main reason for me to have surgery and the Restor implant, was to free myself of spectacles and see well. I am a very active individual, and had a constant problem of 'fogging' with my glasses etc. I had planned, for several years, an excursion to Kyrgyzstan which, ultimately took me to 16,500 ft. with weather at 0 degree F. I knew from previous experiences that the fogging of my glasses on this trip was not acceptable, and could be dangerous. I can report that I had no problems (with my eyes) on that trip! My reasons for surgery was justified, and my results of surgery effective for the perceived tasks! I was very happy.
Let's talk about a couple of technical things. I first started noticing a little blurring in my R. eye in early November. As an eye surgeon, I assume that I may have noticed this decrease earlier than most of my patients. My vision decreased fairly rapidly, which surprised even me. In the span of 1 week my vision decreased from 20/20 to 20/30. That is not a huge change, but it was dramatic for me. I remind everyone that an eye surgeon or a commercial pilot may have different criteria for their vision. I am not saying that each and every one of my patients doesn't deserve perfect vision, but the bottom line is that if a given patient is not performing extremely detailed tasks, then less than perfect vision will not even be noticed. My "capsule" had opacified. To review: after cataract surgery a clear membrane is purposely left behind the implant, and may become cloudy with time. My capsule changed quickly, causing decreased vision. A 15 second laser treatment (in the office) cleared this problem. I was again 20/20. The same problem occurred in my L. eye in late Nov. I again had a laser procedure. The results were a bit different, and I will explain. My R. eye was a bit nearsighted and my L. eye was a bit farsighted. With a bit of farsightedness, the capsular material and the cilliary muscle contract and compensate for this small amount of farsightedness. Prior to the capsular opacification my vision could be corrected with accomodation. After the laser, my accommodation ability (ability to compensate) changed dramatically and I could no longer compensate for the farsightedness. My vision did not return to 20/20. With both eyes open, I am still 20/20, and happy. However, not only do I know the difference, but I have requirements for vision that most do not have, and I am thinking about having an "enhancement" to the L eye. An enhancement would be a "Lasik" type of procedure to reduce that farsightedness in the L eye. For my future patients knowledge; enhancement requirements a rare occurrence, but may be required. Anyone having a Restor implant, or for that matter, any implant, may require additional surgery/expense if they require or wish to have near 'perfect vision.' I tell each and every potential implant patient that fact. The rate of additional surgery is very low, (2-10 %), in my hands, but a fact. I also tell my patients that there is nothing in the current medical technology that matches a 20 year old eye, that does not require spectacles. I will repeat that I am very happy with my vision.

More later