How close will I be able to see with my Crystalens?

On Monday, May 17, 2010, I had my left lens replaced due to cataract with a CRYSTALENS AT-52AO Diopter 14.00, optic Dia: 5.0 mm, Overall Dia: 12.0. How close (in inches) will I be able to see clearly with this lens? Does this depend largely on the shape of my eyeball?  Also, apparently there is swelling of the cornea (striated). How apt is this to remain permanent or will it subside? If so, how long does something like this take and what causes it? I came out of surgery with very cloudy vision in my left eye, which was due to the swelling. Very frightening.

I have stopped wearing my glasses and discovered that my right eye is able to see much closer now than with the glasses a few days ago. The Crystalens gives me the distance vision and the right eye takes over for close up. The Crystalens doesn't give me the crisp far vision the glasses did, but that might change, as the corneal swelling goes away, Also, I do notice more glare than before, when watching TV, driving or in bright sunlight.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Wendsong,

I would recommend that you speak with your eyeMD about your particular situation.  With corneal swelling, the eye may take time to heal and your symptoms should improve.  It is still early after surgery.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California