Crystalens

I'm a 64 years old female and was recently informed I need cataracts surgery in both eyes.  I was offered the option of Crystalens implants, but having some hesitation since I've been hearing severall prople have had many problems.  Also, was told that there's a Crystalens II product now that addresses the glare problem. Is this new product any better?  Since I'm having much difficulty seeing and it's progressing quickly, I need to make a decision on the best alternative.


This discussion is related to Crystal Lens - Halo Problem.

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

If you have worn glasses and been relatively satisfied with them have a monofocal IOL aspheric design put in and plan on wearing no line bifocals. Much less expenisve, safer, and avoids the many problems of multifocal IOLs. If you go with a crystalens expect to need glasses for reading.  Avoid ReZoom lens at all costs.

JCH III MD

[2ndsight]

the Crystalens SE (square edge) which is currently on the market is supposed to reduce glare. If you search this forum for posts on Crystalens you will read about some of the side effects some patients have, however the number of posts is small compared to the number of procedures being done.

I chose Crystalens partly because my surgeon was very positive about it. I learned that 80-85% of his cataract surgery patients were receiving Crystalens with a low complication rate. It's possible some surgeons prefer and recommend a certain IOL because they have had a high degree of patient satisfaction with it, so you should discuss this with your surgeon.

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

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[joan519]

Just had crystal lens done, a week ago. This is the new one, only available since July. So far so good. Had 20/20 vision from the beginning. Still use 'readers' but less. I'm interested in other people's results.

[kathleen43]

I had a Crystalens 5.0 implanted on June 18.  If I had known about the new one which became available on July 9 ( I think ), I definitely would have waited for it.  I wish I could have this lens explanted.  My doctor constricted my pupil after surgery - I don't know how common that is. He is very well known because he was part of the FDA study for the first Crystalens.  Four days after my surgery I could read a hard back novel but my distance vision was much worse than it was in February.  I frequently have severe pain in that eye, which can be relieved with Nevanac, but he gave me one prescription and won't refill it.

As a side note, he implanted a Restor in my left eye on June 11.  I can't read at all with that eye, but my distance vision is about 20/40, which is an improvement.

I cannot drive at night.  I see five full moons, three of each tail-light, headlight, and stoplight.  Also, I see many long streaks coming out of all streetlights.  My surgeon does not see his patients after surgery.  An optometrist in his practice saw me for three follow-up visits.  He told me that the surgeon implanted the Crystalens "more forward" so that I would have better near vision.  I asked him two weeks later to explain what he meant and he denied saying it.

What should I do?  Go to a different cataract surgeon who has experience with all the multi-focal lenses?  I am 65 years old, divorced, active and very independent. I cannot accept a life sentence of not being able to drive at night.  

[kathleen43]

If you do want a multi-focal, don't get a Crystalens for the simple reason that if you have problems, these lenses are very, very difficult to explant.  I have one friend who is thrilled with her Restor lenses.  But Dr. Hagan gave good advice.   Most people are pleased with their multi-focals, but a small percentage of the implants don't work out and there is no way to predict.  I have no health problems that would have affected the outcome.
Basically I gambled $5,000 and lost.  If I have to have an explant and can find a doctor who has done it several times, I'll have to pay a great deal more.

[JodieJ]

Your Medicare and/or health insurance will cover the cost of an explant.

[mmrudy]

Please take a look at the chapter on Crystalens posted on Amazon.com under the book "Mastering Refractive IOL's". If it is somewhat difficult to read, adjust your display to read large print. For me this is a setting of 800 by 600.

If you have any of the eye problems listed in this paper, you are may not be a candidate for Crystalens. This includes astigmatism. Talk to your opthamologist again.

You may want to review your pre-surgery tests with your doctor. I did that yesterday and was surprised (and somewhat discouraged) by the additional information he provided.

Apparently he does a lot of explants (in NM) and is not happy about it.

I asked about glare, halos, etc. and he suggested that they can occur with any IOL, though less so with monofocals.