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Crystelens in right eye, Restor in the left
I have a Crystalens in my right eye and after 1 week, I could not read the close up eye chart. My Dr. recommends a Restor lens for my left eye. My right eye is NOT the dominant eye. Also, my Dr. says that I will need a laser procedure to clear the right eye, which is starting cloud.
1. How do you know that the eye muscles just aren't working? How long do you use the eye exercises (word games) to begin noticing an improvement?
2. What are the negatives about Crystalens in one eye and Restor in the other? My Dr. says you will see rings around headlights at night with the Restor. Except for not seeing the computer screen or reading, the Crystalens is perfect.
rystalens in my left eye and exercise my eyes to try an achieve some close up vision?
1. How do you know that the eye muscles just aren't working? How long do you use the eye exercises (word games) to begin noticing an improvement?
2. What are the negatives about Crystalens in one eye and Restor in the other? My Dr. says you will see rings around headlights at night with the Restor. Except for not seeing the computer screen or reading, the Crystalens is perfect.
rystalens in my left eye and exercise my eyes to try an achieve some close up vision?
I assume the laser procedure is a "yag" capsulectomy. Beware that after you do that, it would be much more difficult to remove that IOL to replace it with another. It sounds like you are only disappointed (so far) with the Cyrstalens, rather than hating it and wanting to replace it with something else. So it probably won't be an issue for you. But a yag is a significant irreversible procedure, so don't rush into it.
If you can wait a few more weeks before having your left eye done, I would recommend it. Give your right eye a chance to settle in. Did you get a Crystalens Five-0 or the newer HD model? How clear is your vision at specific distances (1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet)? Do you have any astigmatism that might be preventing clear vision? (There is a simple online test here: http://www.acuvue.com/thinking-whocanwear-test.htm)
Many people with Restor lenses are happy, but some have been so unhappy that they have been willing to undergo a tricky explant/exchange procedure. The glare/halos/starbursts can range from a minor irritation to a huge problem. I'm not sure there is any way to predict what your experience would be.
If you drive at night, you might have to close the Restor eye, and/or take medicated drops to keep your pupil smaller to reduce the effects.
If you can wait a few more weeks before having your left eye done, I would recommend it. Give your right eye a chance to settle in. Did you get a Crystalens Five-0 or the newer HD model? How clear is your vision at specific distances (1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet)? Do you have any astigmatism that might be preventing clear vision? (There is a simple online test here: http://www.acuvue.com/thinking-whocanwear-test.htm)
Many people with Restor lenses are happy, but some have been so unhappy that they have been willing to undergo a tricky explant/exchange procedure. The glare/halos/starbursts can range from a minor irritation to a huge problem. I'm not sure there is any way to predict what your experience would be.
If you drive at night, you might have to close the Restor eye, and/or take medicated drops to keep your pupil smaller to reduce the effects.
I'm not an eye care professional, but I've read reports about people who had difficulty using both eyes together with different IOLs in each eye. In your place, I'd probably choose another Crystalens HD.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Some points:
1) Unusual for the need of a yag for vision this early. It does happen occasionally.
2) Yag will usually make you less near sighted. It will make your near vision worse if your distance vision is good. It sounds like you are slightly farsighted--good distance(?) and no near. This eyes should be rechecked with a cycloplegic refraction.
3) I would not have surgery in the left eye until the problem with the right is determined.
1) Unusual for the need of a yag for vision this early. It does happen occasionally.
2) Yag will usually make you less near sighted. It will make your near vision worse if your distance vision is good. It sounds like you are slightly farsighted--good distance(?) and no near. This eyes should be rechecked with a cycloplegic refraction.
3) I would not have surgery in the left eye until the problem with the right is determined.
The distance vision in my right eye is good up to about 3 feet and it is not as sharp as my left eye with glasses. My Dr. says that this can be corrected with the Yag and maybe Lasik
I took the astigmatism test and there are some lines that seem darker than the others, but well distributed around the circle and they are all straight.
If my near vision with the Crystalens does not improve, does it mean that essentially I've got a fixed focal point lens? If this is true, why should I implant another Crystalens in my left eye?
I took the astigmatism test and there are some lines that seem darker than the others, but well distributed around the circle and they are all straight.
If my near vision with the Crystalens does not improve, does it mean that essentially I've got a fixed focal point lens? If this is true, why should I implant another Crystalens in my left eye?
How long ago was your right eye done? Was it an HD? Before taking any serious action (like Lasik or yag) I would get a second opinion.
Vision at 3 feet is about 1D, which would mean that if your eye is at plano (worth testing), you are only getting 1D of accommodation. I believe that would be at the poor end of normal for an older Crystalens, and surprisingly poor for an HD.
If you are in the mood to self-diagnose, you could borrow a pair of +1 readers and see what happens to your vision at 20 feet, 6 feet, 3 feet, and 18 inches.
I think I read that people do get a small amount of accommodation with a monofocal lens...up to about 1D, I think. In that case, it is possible that you have ended up with essentially a monofocal lens. However, I'm not sure you should give up on your near vision yet, depending on how long it has been since your surgery.
Before you choose Crystalens or something else for your left eye, you should understand what has happened with your right eye.
Vision at 3 feet is about 1D, which would mean that if your eye is at plano (worth testing), you are only getting 1D of accommodation. I believe that would be at the poor end of normal for an older Crystalens, and surprisingly poor for an HD.
If you are in the mood to self-diagnose, you could borrow a pair of +1 readers and see what happens to your vision at 20 feet, 6 feet, 3 feet, and 18 inches.
I think I read that people do get a small amount of accommodation with a monofocal lens...up to about 1D, I think. In that case, it is possible that you have ended up with essentially a monofocal lens. However, I'm not sure you should give up on your near vision yet, depending on how long it has been since your surgery.
Before you choose Crystalens or something else for your left eye, you should understand what has happened with your right eye.
Thanks for replying.
According to the card I believe I have a Crystalens HD450 (or is it HD550?). It's at home and I'm at work, so can't check.
It was implanted 1/20/09. I can see objects clearly starting about 2-1/2 feet away, just can't read the words on magazine or books or small words on a monitor at that distance.
My far vision is good, but not as good as the left eye (no surgery yet) and eye glasses. They measured my right vision 20/30, but far objects are not that sharp. My vision in the house, acorss the table, TV, etc. is excellent. In the car, I can read almost all of the words on the dash board (stereo, heater, etc.), except for the very small words.
After being myopic my whole life (I'm 62) and being able to read close up without glasses, I feel that another Crystalens in the left eye will leave me with no near vision at all, unless I use reading glasses. The Crystalens / Restor combo seems like a good compromise. My Dr. says that his patients that have both have mentioned the halos around headlights, but they don't complain about them and that over time they get used to it. Anyway, I've postponed my left eye syrgery to get a 2nd opinion tomorrow.
According to the card I believe I have a Crystalens HD450 (or is it HD550?). It's at home and I'm at work, so can't check.
It was implanted 1/20/09. I can see objects clearly starting about 2-1/2 feet away, just can't read the words on magazine or books or small words on a monitor at that distance.
My far vision is good, but not as good as the left eye (no surgery yet) and eye glasses. They measured my right vision 20/30, but far objects are not that sharp. My vision in the house, acorss the table, TV, etc. is excellent. In the car, I can read almost all of the words on the dash board (stereo, heater, etc.), except for the very small words.
After being myopic my whole life (I'm 62) and being able to read close up without glasses, I feel that another Crystalens in the left eye will leave me with no near vision at all, unless I use reading glasses. The Crystalens / Restor combo seems like a good compromise. My Dr. says that his patients that have both have mentioned the halos around headlights, but they don't complain about them and that over time they get used to it. Anyway, I've postponed my left eye syrgery to get a 2nd opinion tomorrow.
My card says HD520. I assume the HD means you got an HD, so that's good. Remember that I'm just a patient, not a doctor, as you read this :)
You should ask your doctor if he used atropine or any other paralyzing agent on your eye. My ciliary muscles were paralyzed for 2-3 weeks after the procedure. That would be the easiest explanation for why you are not yet accommodating more. If your ciliary muscles have not been used much lately, maybe the exercises will help bring them back. I don't know.
For distance: As my brother says, "20/20 vision *****. You really want 20/15". At 20/30, I'm sure there would be things that "should" be clear that aren't. I'm looking forward to finding out my vision outcome in a couple weeks (it wouldn't surprise me if it were also 20/30). Did they say whether your right eye is plano, or -0.25 or whatever? That's important to know.
If near vision is that important to you, then you might consider a Crystalens HD set for a form of monovision. For example if your second eye were at -1.00 and you had the same level of accommodation, you should at least see clearly at about 20 inches. (Assuming my math is right). That eye would be even worse for distance, however.
On the other hand, a second HD set the same would allow you to use inexpensive drugstore reading glasses. If your eyes are different, and you wanted glasses, you might need a custom prescription.
Restor is also an option, and at least my doctor feels that Crystalens and Restor can work well together. You would have to be prepared for night vision issues with Restor. Are you already used to seeing halos and starbursts around streetlights and headlights? Search this forum to read all about Restor problems before getting one.
You should ask your doctor if he used atropine or any other paralyzing agent on your eye. My ciliary muscles were paralyzed for 2-3 weeks after the procedure. That would be the easiest explanation for why you are not yet accommodating more. If your ciliary muscles have not been used much lately, maybe the exercises will help bring them back. I don't know.
For distance: As my brother says, "20/20 vision *****. You really want 20/15". At 20/30, I'm sure there would be things that "should" be clear that aren't. I'm looking forward to finding out my vision outcome in a couple weeks (it wouldn't surprise me if it were also 20/30). Did they say whether your right eye is plano, or -0.25 or whatever? That's important to know.
If near vision is that important to you, then you might consider a Crystalens HD set for a form of monovision. For example if your second eye were at -1.00 and you had the same level of accommodation, you should at least see clearly at about 20 inches. (Assuming my math is right). That eye would be even worse for distance, however.
On the other hand, a second HD set the same would allow you to use inexpensive drugstore reading glasses. If your eyes are different, and you wanted glasses, you might need a custom prescription.
Restor is also an option, and at least my doctor feels that Crystalens and Restor can work well together. You would have to be prepared for night vision issues with Restor. Are you already used to seeing halos and starbursts around streetlights and headlights? Search this forum to read all about Restor problems before getting one.
My goodness. I really wasn't swearing in the above post. The overly-sensitive filter inserted ***** where I had used a common non-obscene slang verb related to how you would use a straw.
It's surprising the webmaster would pick that up as swearing.
Yeah, I think it is HD520, now that you mention it. Yup, they used a triple dose of a triple combination eye anesthetic. I'm sure atropine was one of the ingredients. I was dilated for over 3 days! I suppose it is possible that there is still a residual effect. In addition, I am still using the antinflammatory and prednisone drops.....for two more weeks yet.
I really do trust my eye doctor. He is young, sharp, got his MD at Jefferson Medical School and was a resident at Wills Eye Institute in Phila. You're right about the possibility of another Crystalens in the left eye and then wearing reading glasses. I thought about this, but I think I can put up with the halos in one eye. I've now put up with poor eye sight for over 5 years - too much glare, can't correct my vision, deteriorating tennis game (can't pick out the balls high in the air or balls too fast), etc. I've also checked with some friends and their doctors are recommending Restor for their patients.
I know that I would be taking a chance with a Crystalens / Restor combo, that's why I'm going for a 2nd opinion to understand the pluses and minuses and the issues and see their degree of success with it. I will continue to do the work book to improve my right near vision for the next 2 weeks before my next surgery. I think in the end, I can be happy with either approach. After all, I put up with poor vision and two pairs of eyeglasses up to now.
Yeah, I think it is HD520, now that you mention it. Yup, they used a triple dose of a triple combination eye anesthetic. I'm sure atropine was one of the ingredients. I was dilated for over 3 days! I suppose it is possible that there is still a residual effect. In addition, I am still using the antinflammatory and prednisone drops.....for two more weeks yet.
I really do trust my eye doctor. He is young, sharp, got his MD at Jefferson Medical School and was a resident at Wills Eye Institute in Phila. You're right about the possibility of another Crystalens in the left eye and then wearing reading glasses. I thought about this, but I think I can put up with the halos in one eye. I've now put up with poor eye sight for over 5 years - too much glare, can't correct my vision, deteriorating tennis game (can't pick out the balls high in the air or balls too fast), etc. I've also checked with some friends and their doctors are recommending Restor for their patients.
I know that I would be taking a chance with a Crystalens / Restor combo, that's why I'm going for a 2nd opinion to understand the pluses and minuses and the issues and see their degree of success with it. I will continue to do the work book to improve my right near vision for the next 2 weeks before my next surgery. I think in the end, I can be happy with either approach. After all, I put up with poor vision and two pairs of eyeglasses up to now.
Since my left eye surgery is now set for Feb 17th, if I get really good accommodation in the next 2 weeks (all of the anesthesia would have worn off in that period) , I will implant another Crystalens in my left eye. This was would then be I had wanted to do all along.
Having a Crystalens (AT-50SE) is my Left (dominate) and a Restor (SN6AD3) in my Right I feel somewhat compelled to voice an opinion. I have posted about this in the past which I would believe is still available via the search feature on this site. Before I say anything, I want to be very clear that I can only convey my experiences and have no idea how someone else will fair with the same lenses. Please do NOT view this post as an endorsement (or criticism for that matter) of either the lenses or the surgery in general.
The combination of Crystalens and Restor has indeed work VERY well from ME. I don’t wear glasses PERIOD. Not to read (and I read a lot), not to work at the computer (which I do 8 to 10 hours every weekday), not to drive (unless you count sunglasses). :-) Each lens seems to have it weak points that are offset by the strength of the other. The Restor’s near vision is great, while the mid range of the Crystalens is simply brilliant. Distance vision in bright light (outdoors) is pretty much a toss up with a slight edge to Crystalens. The Restor seems to have better distance vision in lower lighting conditions (indoors with florescent lights) oddly enough.
I have not had the contrast problem with the Restor that some warned me about as I can read just fine in most light conditions. There is certainly a brightness level difference between the two lenese. The Crystalens is much brighter than the Restor. The Restor is some what brighter than my original cataracted vision, while the Crystalens was almost blinding at first. If I stare at a piece of paper and look though the Crystalens the paper looks unbelievably white, with the Restor it has more of a dingy white by comparison. You would think that the difference in contrast would be a huge issue, but I have not found that to be the case. Again, they seem to work together as I see well regardless of the lighting conditions.
Negatives:
I get halos from the Restor, but for me they were relatively easy to adjust to. It is absolutely not a deterrent to my driving at night. Here is an example:
http://www.staggs.net/images/halos.jpg
While the Crystalens does provide the best vision quality at intermediate and distant (in bright light) ranges, it does also give me the most side effects. I know this is contrary to what most say on this forum, and it doesn’t make sense to me as the Crystalens is essentially a monofocus (in that it doesn’t split the light) IOL. When driving at night I get glare and flares to the point that if I didn’t have the Restor I might not be comfortable driving at night. I also get glare indoors under certain lighting conditions, but I am so used to it now that I almost have to make myself look for it in order to know that it is there. Hopefully, the occurrences of this are reduced or eliminated with the new HD version.
I have somewhat of a dead stop (where focus is not clear) of approximately 6 inches between where the Restor’s near stops and where the Crystalens’ mid range takes over. Fortunately I get in few situations where I can't adjust to accommodate one or the other lens.
One year after my surgeries, I am VERY please with the combination of Resrot/Crystalens. Had I went with bilateral implants of either one, I would need glasses for either up-close or intermediate, but even that would have been an improvement over cataracts. I have truly been blessed by the outcome!
Remember, your mileage my very!
The combination of Crystalens and Restor has indeed work VERY well from ME. I don’t wear glasses PERIOD. Not to read (and I read a lot), not to work at the computer (which I do 8 to 10 hours every weekday), not to drive (unless you count sunglasses). :-) Each lens seems to have it weak points that are offset by the strength of the other. The Restor’s near vision is great, while the mid range of the Crystalens is simply brilliant. Distance vision in bright light (outdoors) is pretty much a toss up with a slight edge to Crystalens. The Restor seems to have better distance vision in lower lighting conditions (indoors with florescent lights) oddly enough.
I have not had the contrast problem with the Restor that some warned me about as I can read just fine in most light conditions. There is certainly a brightness level difference between the two lenese. The Crystalens is much brighter than the Restor. The Restor is some what brighter than my original cataracted vision, while the Crystalens was almost blinding at first. If I stare at a piece of paper and look though the Crystalens the paper looks unbelievably white, with the Restor it has more of a dingy white by comparison. You would think that the difference in contrast would be a huge issue, but I have not found that to be the case. Again, they seem to work together as I see well regardless of the lighting conditions.
Negatives:
I get halos from the Restor, but for me they were relatively easy to adjust to. It is absolutely not a deterrent to my driving at night. Here is an example:
http://www.staggs.net/images/halos.jpg
While the Crystalens does provide the best vision quality at intermediate and distant (in bright light) ranges, it does also give me the most side effects. I know this is contrary to what most say on this forum, and it doesn’t make sense to me as the Crystalens is essentially a monofocus (in that it doesn’t split the light) IOL. When driving at night I get glare and flares to the point that if I didn’t have the Restor I might not be comfortable driving at night. I also get glare indoors under certain lighting conditions, but I am so used to it now that I almost have to make myself look for it in order to know that it is there. Hopefully, the occurrences of this are reduced or eliminated with the new HD version.
I have somewhat of a dead stop (where focus is not clear) of approximately 6 inches between where the Restor’s near stops and where the Crystalens’ mid range takes over. Fortunately I get in few situations where I can't adjust to accommodate one or the other lens.
One year after my surgeries, I am VERY please with the combination of Resrot/Crystalens. Had I went with bilateral implants of either one, I would need glasses for either up-close or intermediate, but even that would have been an improvement over cataracts. I have truly been blessed by the outcome!
Remember, your mileage my very!
have had both eyes with hd crystalens same as you when only one but with 2 all changed getting better every week . I cant rember the site but do rember that i was leary off the second eye also but the site i went to said crystalens do not work well until the second one is done. iF YOU ARE LEARY CALL BAUSCH AND LAUM WHY NOT ITS YOUR EYES
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