Confusion over lens recommendations

[dplr]

I have cataracts in both eyes as well as a astigmatism in one eye.  The first surgeon I went to recommended the Crystalens.  In fact, he made it sound as though no other lens would accommodate my needs at my age (56).  The cost for this lens over and above my insurance is an additional out-of-pocket $4000 per eye.  While I hate to use money as an issue for something as important as my sight and I can take the $8000 it would take to do both eyes out of my savings, I am a teacher, my husband is retired, and so it would be a little tough.   I went to a second surgeon who said he didn't recommend the Crystalens and felt because of my long commute that I would do fine with the standard lens.  I work as a computer education facilitator and so do spend quite a bit of time on the computer.  I do not mind wearing glasses for reading.  I am nervous about the possibility of glare and halos as I have a 60 mile one way commute - often in the dark.  Headlights are a problem now with the cataracts - that's why I want to have the surgery.  I really don't know what to do now.  Do I get a third opinion??

Deb

[Lerbea]

I went the route with the specialty lens at 2,500 extra per each one. Ha. They told me my insurance wouldn't cover it. So I finally agreed.  I asked the office to submit these charges anyway but they did not and refused to do so. After pressuring them they finally did but as non medically necessary charges. Insurance does not pay these types. Insurance told them they had to submitt it correctly. Well insurance did cover it. They the doctors office had to write off all the extra.  They deliberately deceived me and the insurance company and tried to keep all this extra money I had to pay. I won and had to instruct the insurance company how to get their monies back.

Don't let them fool ya.  ALso the specialty lens (Multifocal) were horrible. I've since undergone and IOL exchange.

[Glad4Help]

How long have you had your Crystalenses?
Do you have a full range of clear vision near and far?
Were you farsighted or nearsighted before your surgeries?

I am considering Crystalens (surgeon recommends) or standard aspheric (my optamologist says best for me).  I am extremely farsighted and read somewhere that it's hard to calculate the Rx for IOL for farsighted person.  Anyone else know anything about this?

[peakhope]

I'm a happy Crystlens HD owner, but if you don't mind wearing glasses for intermediate (computer) work and for reading, then a monofocal lens should work well for you, with less expense and risk.

You might be able to get some kind of bifocal or progressive glasses that would allow you to do both intermediate and near work without changing glasses. Perhaps even progressives with a clear top which would allow distance too.

Be sure you understand the plan for dealing with your astigmatism. Options are: Leave it, either because it is very minor or because you would correct it with contacts or glasses; LRI's; Toric IOL's; or later laser surgery. I chose LRI's myself, but each of the options has pros and cons.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The halos with Crystalens is the same as a monofocal IOL.  I do not recommend blended vision for patients who have not done monovision in the past.  20% will not adapt to it.

Dr. O.

[JodieJ]

If you don't mind wearing glasses for reading, I think your best bet for a problem-free outcome would be aspheric monofocal lenses (or perhaps a toric lens for your eye with astigmatism).  If you'd like to minimize your dependence on glasses, consider having your lenses set for blended vision (distance vision in dominant eye, intermediate vision in nondominant eye).  With this correction, you might only need glasses for prolonged reading or seeing small print.