Piggy back lens system for cataracts.

[Dek]

Hi
I have KC which is worse in my right eye. I had a cararact initially in my left eye which was successfully treated with a toric lens implant. Now I have a cataract in my right eye which because of the higher degree of astigmatism have been advised by my specialist in East Grinstead to have it removed and replaced with a monofocal lens to correct my myopia only. Then when it is healed to have a toric lens placed in front of the original lens to correct the astigmatism. Has anyone else had this procedure that could give me the benefit of their experience?
Regards
Dek

[Andrew MacLean]

I've never heard of it, but it sounds intriguing.

Andrew

(ps I have moved this to General Discussion Forum so that it will be seen by more people)

[Anne Klepacz]

The variety of 'intraocular' lenses which are now beginning to be used was part of a talk we had at our 2009 conference (we hope to send the DVD of that to all our members later this year). These include lenses which replace the original lens (which have long been standard for cataracts) and lenses which are placed in front of the natural lens. The speaker didn't mention using a combination of both, which is what seems to be being suggested for you, but I guess in theory that would be possible. Though presumably you could just continue to use an 'ordinary' contact lens for your KC after the standard cataract operation without having the additional toric lens inserted?
Perhaps one of our expert optoms might have more to say on this.
Anne

[Andrew MacLean]

Oops, seeing Anne's post has reminded me that I did hear of this at the conference.

(Covered with embarrassment)

Andrew

[Anne Klepacz]

Many apologies, Andrew - I didn't mean to embarrass you! I do have the advantage that I'm currently working on a transcript from the audio recording of the conference which we do in case any of our members want a paper version rather than a DVD. So I have just been listening to that part of the talk and trying(!) to understand all the unfamiliar technical language to do with this type of lens. Otherwise, I wouldn't have remembered it either.
Anne

[Dek]

Sorry for the belated reply but thank you both.
I was at the lecture by David Jory who spoke about the new introduction of soft contact lenses that could be inserted in front of the eye. I would be interested to know if this offers any advantage over the 'piggy back' system. From what I understand removal of the cataract affected lens might also affect the degree of astigmatism so it is better to do it in a two stage operation, firstly replacing the cataract lens with a simple lens to correct myopia then when healed taking measurements to correct the astigmatism with a toric lens inserted in front of the simple lens. Because of my KC a contact lens would not be suitable.
It would be interesting to know if a soft lens inserted in front of the eye would be a better option than the piggy backed lens. Certainly it would be more easily removable if a prescription change were needed. Downside would be possible endolthelial cell loss I guess.
I will discuss at my next visit to East Grinstead and let you know the outcome.
Thanks again.
Dek