Cataract Lens Replacements

I've been reading the threds regarding ReStor, ReZoom, and Crystalens from 2006. What is the current thought on these, since I'm approaching the time when I will need to find a good surgeon.


This discussion is related to Crystalens problems.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The whole issue has been hashed out in detail. Use the search and archives to read the many posts. Avoid the ReZoom IOL at all costs.

JCH MD

[JodieJ]

There have been improvements in technology since 2006.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to limit your research to the 2009 threads.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[chrissy1948]

They may have been hashed out, but the archives are old. A lot happens in a couple of years .  . . or not. Is there nothing on the horizon that conquers the problems associated with these lenses? Or have the companies making them made improvements to them.

My mother-in-law (87) is set to have the Crystalens implant in a few weeks. After combing "the archives", it sounds like a bad choice! The point the doctor made was that it has come WAY DOWN in price! I wonder why! And would he choose it because he'll make more money; after all Medicare is paying for it.

[JodieJ]

Unless your 87-year-old mother-in-law wants to minimize her dependence on glasses for reading and using the computer, I agree that Crystalens is a very poor choice.  (BTW, I'm assuming that she has no conditions which limit her acuity.)  I can't imagine any reason for the surgeon's recommendation other than increasing his own income.  For her best chance of a problem-free outcome, she should get monofocal IOLs.  You might consider cancelling the surgery and taking your business elsewhere.  There has to be another experienced, board-certified cataract surgeon in town.  (Check the directory at www.aao.org).

[JodieJ]

I forgot to note that you are mistaken on one point.  Medicare will only pay for surgery with a monofocal IOL (which would undoubtedly be the best choice for your mother-in-law.)  Your mother-in-law will be responsible for an out-of-pocket fee of several thousand dollars for the Crystalens, (but as her doctor stated, this fee has recently been reduced.)

[Blueladysue]

I had the Crystalens put in both eyes on july the 6th everything was going fine until 2 weeks later my left eye can only focus on things close and my right eye is fine I can see both far and near. so the Dr. said to wait a bit to see if it corrects itself or he will have to go in and push it back or replace it. I am hoping it will fix itself . Has anyone heard of this happening before? I paid 6000.00 to get this done and now I had to pay 160.00 for glasses to see things at a distance so I can drive my car. I also am getting alot of headaches.does anyone have any advice on how to get the lens to focus so it will bend back and not say forward?

[ace399]

I had the same problem with a Crystalens HD and replaced it with a Restor lens.

[niteowl7]

42 yr. old healthy female. Had Crystalens HD implanted 7/2008 (was 41 yrs. old)....explanted 9/15/2009 replaced with monofocal IOL. My doctor, at his own expense, tried everything including YAG, and 2 different piggyback lenses. I never quit seeing the edge of the lens, I had no intermediate or near vision, night vision was awful. I am 2 days out of explant and see no edges, starring, flares, etc. If needed, I will get a LASIK touch-up and wear reading glasses instead of the horror of the last year of trying to get the Crystalens HD to work. Don't waste your money on an upgrade.

[OldNavy966]

Please don't do it.  Read thru the threads on this forum.
Many of us Crystalens receipients were on this forum
searching for information on IOLs before our surgery.
I thought I would roll the dice and go with Crystalens.
Mistake, mistake, mistake.  The odds for a bad outcome
from the Crystalens are pretty high.  The odds that your
surgeon will choose this IOL based on the profitabillity
of it, certain.

[DallasCPA]

I was scheduled to have crystal HD surgery next week, but after reading the horror stories I think I will cancel.  Are there any old-fashioned doctors out there that are ethical & don't base their "medical" advice on lining their pockets???

[george182]

I am going to have cataract surgery in Feb., will be going with monofocals. the clinic has floated the idea of having a distance lens in one eye and a closeup lens in the other. has anybody here have any info on on how this will work out.

[JodieJ]

You're asking about monovision.  Unless you've already tried it with contacts (and know that you like it), doing monovision with IOLs is somewhat risky.  About 25% of the people who try monovision with contacts cannot adjust to it.  Mini-monovision (distance vision in dominant eye, intermediate vision in non-dominant eye) is a safer bet.

You might want to re-post your question as a new thread if you want feedback from one of the forum doctors.