Feedback wanted on Crystalens

[dakamala]

I am considering Crystalens and would like to hear from anyone who has had it for the purpose of vision correction not cataracts.  I am 43 and have been told that I am a good candidate since I am not a candidate for Lasik but have also been told noboby my age should have it done.  I'm confused.

[Eagle eyes]

Jesse Optics
Your points are well taken and I agree with most of them. However, not all unhappy Crystalens patients can be fixed. It is very difficult to explant that lens. Fuzzy vision can be caused by many different problems, so yours is a blanket statement against multifocals. Let's leave it at all lenses have their strong points and any given lens can be less than optimal. Again, I am happy your Dad had a great result.

[Jesse Optics]

Dear Eagle eyes,

As suspected it is your opinion used to support your claim that "Most" doctors have abandoned the crystalens.  The ability to market in Europe has nothing to do with the clinical performance of a technology.  (see Excimer Lasers for details)   Here is a fact for you, multifocal contact lens have been available for 20 years, and they have less than 5% share of the market.  What would the share be if the fitting optometrist couldn't take them out as is the case with the Restor/ReZoom intraocular lens?  

As I have previously posted, compare the labels of the Restor and cyrstalens.  There are driving warnings and low light warnings on the multifocal and none exist on crystalens.  None of the lens are perfect and reading this board reveals that all lens have complications.  At least with the crystalens you can do something about it, currently there is no cure for the fuzzy vision created by multifocality other than explantation.  In the final analysis that is why I choose crystalens for my dad.

[Jesse Optics]

Dear Eagle Eyes,

How can you comment that MOST crystalens patients are unhappy.  The practice my dad had surgery in uses it exclusively.  I'm very impressed with his vision.  The crystalens is a small company and doesn't have the marketing muscle of the major companies but if you compare the FDA labels, objective data, the crystalens is the clear winner.  Is this your opinion or do you have some data support your claim?

JO

[Eagle eyes]

Jeese Optics:

1. Look at the Crystalens experience in Europe.. They got it first as is often the case, and for the most part abandoned it altogether. 2. If you research the number of US surgeons that are trained to use Crystalens, their are very few that do it alot and do it well. Your Dad most likely went to one of the handful of surgeons that gets good results. If you look at the majority of trained surgeons, you will find a different story. Good for your Dad that he is pleased. Within the past 6-9 months, even the really good Crystalens surgeons are coming over to ReSTOR and ReZoom for certain patietnts. They are smart because one lens does not work for everyone. Customized service for unique lifestyles.

[jwcllc]

Just (December 23, 2005) got the second eye corrected with the crystalens.  The dominate eye is set for distance and intermediate and the other is set for close up and some intermediate.  My cost was 1500 per eye in addition to the insurance payment of 5200.  I was surprised by the fact that the lenses were not the same power and a little disappointed.  I supposedly have 20/20 while using both eyes but having been one with superior vision until the cataracts set in, at age 63 I guess I can't complain.  Most lose near vision in the forties and mine lasted well enough to read while even having the cataracts.  I lost the ability to read the road signs until up close and had some double vision as first indicators of the cataracts.  I now have the crystalens and they are much better than when I had the cataracts.  My dominate vision lens had the wrong power initially and had to be replaced within 2 weeks.  Supposedly, the lens will improve somewhat during the coming year.  It's only been 3 weeks so all the symptoms may not remain.  My eyes tire quite a bit during the day,(computer work)and I see halos from indirect light rays at night or when subjected to flourescent lighting.  The night vision is ok but not perfect.  I do recommend lots of research on the up to date lenses and a consultation with a know competent doctor prior to the lens selection.  My dominate eye cannot read without correction and the other is blurry at a distance presently.  I don't know how much this will improve.  Maybe I'll remember to update in six months or so, memory is not improved with the lens.

[Eagle eyes]

Crystalens works but not the majority of the time. If you have very small pupils and if you are willing to exercise your eyes after surgery and if you don't pick up reading glasses after surgery as this will be cheating and cause the lens not to move hence not work, then you should be ok. The ReSTOR is good for people who don't drive much or at all, don't work on computers at all, aren't active outdoors, etc. but want really strong, really close near vision. The ReZoom is gaining popularity amongst our patients as it is very reliable, predictable, no need for eye exercises, and few side effects. It is not perfect, nothing is, but gives a broad range of clear vision from up close to far away and everything in the middle. Definitely is important to find the right doctor though. More and more are doing these new lenses, but the measurements need to be very accurate to pick the right strength of lens. If you are an unhappy Crystalens recipient, ask your surgeon about a piggyback lens on top of it. (like Array) This will give you what you wanted in the first place and then you don't have to get the Crystalens removed (which is a very difficult and tedious procedure). The happy Crystalens patients love it, but unfortunately, the majority of them are not that happy. Some doctors do it in one eye and ReZoom in the other. Very confusing I know, but you have to tell the doctor what you do everyday and how willing you are to wait things out.