Staar Collamer Aspheric Lens

[allmymarbles]

I have been researching lenses preparatory to cataract surgery. The Staar lens interests me because it is said to repeal protein and, presumably, opacification. Has anyone had experience with this lens? I can't find information on a downside, but every lens seems to have one. And what is the differenced between a 1-part and a 3-part lens? I have the beginnings of macular degeneration in my left eye and acuity is 20/100 for the left, and 20/50 for the right. No astigmatism. I am 80 years old and in excellent health.

[chrisg01]

Dr. Oyakawa,

First, thank you for your generosity in participating in this forum and helping patients get their concerns addressed.

I am exploring replacement lenses for my upcoming cataract surgery, and am interested in learning more about the Staar Nanoflex monofocal IOL. Specifically, I'd like to know if it has a greater, lesser, or average risk of PCO compared to the Tecnis aspheric monofocal lens. Your August 8 2010 reponse to AllMyMarbles concerned her reference to a "Staar" lens but I can't tell if that is the Nanoflex, or another Staar lens.

Thanks again, Dr. Oyakawa!
Chris

[icpatterns]

Supposedly they can't break up the floater in my eye because it is too far back and could cause damage to the retina. It drives me crazy sometimes but I do get used to it and start to not see it as much when I am busy living life and doing work. I had my other cataract taken out recently and they will be doing a YAG in a week or two. I hope there is no floater but I am betting there will be.

My surgeon used a blade and not a laser. He said the incision is so small that a laser really doesn't make a difference. The cut is also off to the side and doesn't usually cause visual issues (so I was told).

[icpatterns]

I was told that if I went with the nanoFLEX I would most likely have PCO and within a few weeks the opacification did form. I had the YAG laser treatment to break up the back of the capsule three months after my cataract lens replacement. The laser was painless and cleared up the issue. I do have a floater that decided to hang around from the pieces they blasted with the laser but supposedly this doesn't happen to everyone.

[mira221]

Hi Dr. Oyakawa, does this mean that the staar lens (Nanoflex?) have a higher incidence of posterior capsular opacification?

[allmymarbles]

Once again, many thanks.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I stopped using it due to a high incidence of posterior capsular opacification. It is not used much by most surgeon I know.

Dr. O.

[allmymarbles]

I meant to say, "repel protein."