I've been following your thread at
https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/vision-problems-after-cataract-surgery-120938.html since the beginning. From what I recall, you had multifocal lens inserted, but your recent experience before surgery is with readers only. Others mentioned that the transition to multifocal can be a real challenge, and may take a long time (6 months or more) to get used to, especially since you have just one multifocal lens. Your brain may need quite a bit of time to get used to the difference information coming from left and right.
I myself had indications of cataract development more than 5 years ago. But they grew very slowly. The ophthalmalogists I've been seeing through the years are university and/or institute-trained. Since my wife worked as an ophthalmic tech at a hospital for most of her career, I got to meet many persons in the field. She also worked each year in the residency program, so saw plenty of eye docs mature through the medical system.
I don't recall hearing or feeling someone pushing me. We always wait for more information and research about serious procedures.
I've been followed for more than two years by a local ophthalmalogist/surgeon, who my wife first met in the residency program. Every 3-4 months I went through several tests to follow the state of my eye as I was taking a powerful cancer drug with many side effects.
Each time we met, the eye doc mentioned my cataracts. The left eye was worse than the right. But she always mentioned it was not time. ANd then it was. I had worsening eyesight, blurry vision, and so on. We had a visit that was specific to the procedure. All of the required measurements were taken. We discussed correction for near or far, and I had much time before that to consider the possibile selections.
I chose near vision. Later in this thread you can see several mentioning multifocal lens, and it surprised me. At a later visit I mentioned multifocal to my surgeon, and she let me know that I am not a candidate for that because of my retina. That's good enough for me!
I had no great problems with either eye after surgery. I did have to go back on drops, and be more religious about using saline drops throughout the day.
I did have significant problems with the expensive variable lens glasses. I had to stop using them while vacationing, and fortunately had brought an older pair of glasses. Sunlight and overhead indoor lights bothered me.
I had the new lenses checked by another tech, and she ordered stronger Rx.
By the time I got back to the surgeon, it was obvious to her that I had significant scarring, which developed very quickly. One YAG procedure for each eye, and vision was really fine.
I had also used the new Rx to order a pair of prescription sunglasses from Zenni. Those are amazing. I always take them with me in the car, and wear them outside. Best $100 I ever spent.
Don't know what I'd feel like if I had to travel 250 miles between doctors as you mentioned in that other thread. We are minutes from our Ophthalmalogist and surgery center. The big city is about a 30-minute drive if we need top specialists.
I wish you luck in your journey.
