Cataract surgery exchange Crystalens for ReSTOR

[jefields]

Rather than update an older thread, I decided to begin a new one. After almost three weeks with the Crystalens in my left eye, the blurriness remains the same...nothing clear beyond 5 feet. Intermediate is good and close-up is fair, although there are shadows in the print I read. My visit yesterday afternoon with my excellent doctor showed no improvement, maybe even more degeneration. He ordered three sets of dilation then did a very thorough exam of the eye. The lens is sitting exactly where it should be. However, it does not move. The eye muscles that should cause the lens to focus are just not working at all. In essence, the Crystalens is acting like a mono lens, at a very expensive price.

I was scared about having the second implant of Crystalens in the right eye as, if my eye muscles didn't work in the right eye either, I would be unable to drive or work. But before I voiced my fears, my doc recommended considering the ReSTOR lens for the right eye. And assuming I am happy with it, the Crystalens in the left eye can be exchanged for the ReSTOR a week later. He did explain the only drawback is the issue of halos. He also said that after 6 months, most of his patients that have the ReSTOR say they don't even notice the halos anymore. My doc is terrific and highly skilled and will implant whatever lens will work best for me. Since I am an artist, I really need good near vision up to arm's length and good distance (beyond 5'). I think my computer vision falls somewhere in that category too.

It could be that in another week the Crystalens might improve. But I don't hold out much hope at this point. If my eye muscles aren't working, there isn't much the lens can do and that's no one's fault.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any experience/knowledge with others who had the same/similar problem with Crystalens, I would be interested to hear of it.

jefields

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

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[tnsharley]

Had crystalens implanted 3 weeks ago they just keep getting better. If you do enough recearch you will find they do not work very well until both eyes are done there is a site eye car med health that gives a good explanation . The best part is they do not implant they are info only site.

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

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[colavecd]

I just had the Cyrstalens implanted last week. My vision was cloudy for at least 6 hours, however upon wakening the cloudiness was totally gone. The doctor explained that was due to my pupils being extremely dilated. At last measurement my distance was 20/40 and reading 20/20, but I say this with some reservation. I find that I am working at obtaining these levels of acuity by purposely focusing on near or far away focal points. The technician at my doctors office said she will be giving me exercises to do such as crossword puzzles, word searches,etc. to 'train' the new lens. My optometrist told me to go from reading to TV or driving to train my new lens. Another surgeon who saw me post op told me there was controversy in the 'training' philosophy, but I could switch from reading to driving and get the same results. So, who really knows.  I am both very pleased that I finally have vision in this newly corrected eye, but also a tiny bit dismayed because my first driving experience last night was awful!  I couldn't read any of the street signs with my newly implanted eye. But I will try to be patient since it has only been 4 days post op. And perhaps I need to train my new eye with night driving exercises!  I am able to read the monitor and with adequate lighting the small print in the newspaper. I've noticed, when I have a contact lens in my other non surgical eye which happens to be my 'dominant eye' that eye takes over leaving the Cystalens eye nonproductive. Therefore I have been keeping the contact lens out to force my 'new' eye' to work.   It's something I need to try to see if 'training' my new eye is the answer to better focusing.

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

No exercises needed. Just your daily demands on the eye for far, near and mid is exercise enough.

JCH III MD

[jefields]

I am wondering if there are exercises I could do to try and rejuvenate those ciliary muscles. If I could work them back into usefulness, the Crystalens in the left eye might learn to focus.

Thanks for your help and encouragement.
jefields

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

The most valuable information for you will be those people that have had the Crystalens inserted in their eyes. They have been very generous in sharing their experiences.

I would add that the percentage of people happy with Crystalens improves for up to 9-12 months. I think it likely your eye will regain some ability to focus. You could even still have some atropine aboard.

The Restore IOL give good near vision. Hang in there. It's a long road but for most well worth it. (remember I'm talking about people adverse to wearing glasses).

JCH III MD