Many problems with Crystalens

[jefields]

After much stress in the decision process, I'm going to ask my surgeon to go ahead and exchange the Crystalens in my left (dominant) eye for the ReStor, which was at his suggestion. I have put it off because I have such good intermediate vision in that eye, but that's really all it has going for it. I continue to feel fuzzy-eyed when I am in any space larger than my office cubicle. Any larger area   just makes me uncomfortable because of the cloudiness/blurriness in my left eye. My guess is that this is because my left eye is trying to see distance and the Crystalens did not accommodate for that. The ReStor that my doctor suggested using would be "calibrated" (don't know if that's a proper medical term) for arm's length close vision with a good distance vision.

At this point, I don't care if I have to wear glasses all the time. I'm used to wearing progressives. I just want to end the uncomfortable feeling in my left eye and be able to see. It doesn't even feel right when I blink. But the ReStor in the right eye has felt comfortable from day one.

The Crystalens has been in for 9-1/2 weeks. Any comments are appreciated. I just think I am using up precious time hoping that the Crystalens will start working right.

Thanks,
jefields

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

THIS LINK IS TOO LONG AND ANY QUESTIONS DIRECTED TO DR HAGAN WILL NOT BE ANSWERED AS TOO DIFFICULT TO FIND. IF WISH NEW COMMENT OPEN A NEW POST.

[mb_____55]

Here's a contrasting notion:  About a decade ago, I had two monofocal lenses implanted, one of them a toric lens.  Over time, I've discovered that even though the lenses are monofocal,  the muscles still have a small degree of control over them. Specifically with the right eye, a medium amount of effort simultaneously shifts the image slightly toward the right while bringing what is nearby into sharper focus, and with the left eye, a medium amount of effort simultaneously shifts the image slightly toward the left while bringing what is nearby into sharper focus.

I believe that thi would seem to indicate that I could have been a good candidate for Crystalens, and I only wish that I hadn't let my surgeon talk me out of it. Well, not my only wish.  I also wish that the bags having shrunk around my current IOLs  weren't said to be contra-indicative of explantation for the purpose of replacement with Crystalens.

[KayakerNC]

It would be more helpful if you were to post your actual issues, rather than referring back to a post made 6 years ago.

[JohnHaganMD]

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[eyescouldbebetter]

I have had almost the identical problem with the 2 Crystalens used for both eyes this December 2015. I would be anxious to know how you have resolved your problem, My opthamologist performed the Yag Laser on both eyes with no result. I am seeing another doctor for a second opinion. Help if you can!
Thanks

[KayakerNC]

6 days in bed because of YAG???
I've had YAG and, yeah, I think there is definitely another "issue" with Shortskis going on.

[SoftwareDeveloper]

re: "I KNOW"

How do you claim to "KNOW"? It seems it is because it happened around the same time. You state:

re: "No one believed it was being caused by the lenses....just coincidental. "

which suggests that you are dismissing the idea that it could be a coincidence. Last I checked there were about 3 million cataract surgeries per year done in the US, and a few times that many globally. Many people get sick each day for reasons unrelated to cataract surgery. A certain percentage of people will get sick around the time of cataract surgery and will assume it must have been the cataract surgery and have trouble with the idea that in the real world coincidences exist.

Even if it *is* a result of the surgery, without knowing what the actual issue is specifically, it isn't clear why you can be sure that a lens replacement surgery would help the issue. Another IOL may leave you with exactly the same problem, or perhaps the trauma of surgery will make things worse.. I'm sure there are surgeons out there that will take people's money regardless of the reason they wish a lens exchange, but it seems to make sense to be sure that the surgery will help.

People sometimes experience headaches or feel dizzy or have other symptoms  even with a change in prescription for glasses or contacts, or say the first time they get progressive glasses. Having *any* sort of IOL is a major change in your visual system and perhaps some people have more trouble adapting, and that can increase their stress level.

Any sort of surgery is stressful, and stress can influence health, or people's "feeling" of not being well.  You give no specific symptoms other than feeling "lousy" which suggests stress.  

One of the problems with this thread above are many older messages, and I won't take time to read them all, but many aren't specific enough to be sure what there problem is, even if many immediately blame this lens. Some read like  their symptoms may be things like the lens power being wrong (rather than a flaw in the lens) or that they may   need for a YAG, or have other conditions with their eyes  which may or may not be related to this particular choice of lens. There are many real problems that arise from the Crystalens I'm sure, as there are with other IOLs or merely with getting surgery with any IOL at all, but the first step needs to be to try to confirm and narrow down the nature of the problem and not to leap immediately to the conclusion that there has to be a flaw in this lens (rather than the surgery being flawed, or another eye condition perhaps even coincidentally arising, or an issue that would exist regardless of which IOL).  

[CBCT]

I too was unhappy with Crystalens.  I experienced positive dysphotopsia, glare and extreme light sensitivity.  I had YAGs which did not help.  After a year, I had the left lens exchanged. Six months hence, I had the right lens exchanged.  My problems were resolved.  It was done by Dr. Richard Mackool Sr. at the Mackool Eye Institute in Astoria, NY.  He is world class and a very lovely person.  Be aware that he does not accept insurance, so I paid out of pocket and then sought out of network reimbursement from my insurance company.  Also be aware, that multiple surgeries increase the risk of retinal tears.  I had a tear a couple weeks after the right lens was exchanged.  Fortunately, it was promptly and successfully treated.  Best wishes.

[sandytodd123454321]

I too am experiencing dysphotopsia and light sensitivity with the Crystalens.  I had it done 2 weeks ago in my left eye and the ophthalmologist keeps telling me it's going to go away, but I keep reading from people that it doesn't go away.  I'm due to have my right eye done next week, but I'm hesitant.  What kind of lens did you have then replaced with?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JohnHaganMD]

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[Shortskis]

I want to see if anyone has had what I'm experiencing with these. I was sick & tired and generally feeling lousy from the first week I had these put in. At first I thought it was just the surgery. After not going away for 4 weeks I thought it was the eye drops effecting me. But after I stopped those it continued. I complained over & over but since my problem was not the quality of vision like so many of you. No one believed it was being caused by the lenses....just coincidental. So next I went to my internist and had a battery of tests. Could not find a thing and in general good health. Next I was told the yag laser capsulotomy might improve it. I was NOT told that once this is done removing them becomes much more difficult.  The laser treatment made me feel worse! I actually spent 6 days in bed. I finally went in a stated flatly that I want these out. I KNOW this is what's causing my distress wether I'm believed or not and honestly feel I can't go on this way. I barely make it through each day. I'm in the process of finding an experienced surgeon to do this. If anyone has had this done please contact me!

[kfenske]

I had the crystal lenses about 10 years ago and recently a detatched retina.
I hear from the medical community and articles, the crystal lens have more of an expectancy of retina detatchment.  Has anyone else experienced this?
I am worried about my other eye

[Karlana]

I had a similar experience and am SO SORRY I ever had my implants done when I could have easily waited. Yes, they were developing (cataracts) BUT the procedure and the prodcut sounded like it was going to be a "walk in the park." I wear about 6 different pairs of readers depending on the time of day, how tired my eyes might be, etc. PLUS since I chose "mono-vision" (?--- 1 eye lasiked for distance and one for reading) BUT my eyes won't work together. I am blind at night---BLIND! and can no longer do my work which involves use of various shades of the color white which now all have pink casts and I cannot count on the color I see. My cousin works for an opth. and she recommend Re-Stor (I think) because her Dr. said that Crystalens requires realllly fine dr's due to the extras needed to be done to enhance them. Mine doctor is outstanding with numerous awards and is infact reciving an "award" from the President this month for his "no charge" work with Wounded Warriors. I do wonder if he had forgotten that I had astigmatism and seem to recall Crystalens was not recommended if one has this condition. PLUS my eyes are so dry now I am in his office every few months regarding their condition. What I see in their office in the eye exams---and the condiitons in the office IS NOT AT ALL what I see in the world. I am totally miserable. Now broke due to tremendous debt for hubby's multiple surgeries and 2 years away from Medicare. i.e. no money, no insurance, $70 PER MONTH income too high for help from any of those out there who help the "poor" which I guess I am as well now. IF I had to do this over again I would ask soooo many questions!! Not use Crystalens!
BUT, the questions just became apparent as I struggled with them. Hubby had most of the same problems  except he can see to read and drive....by knocking out the lens on one side of his glasses. Ha ha! Quite Attractive.
BOTTOM LINE:  See at least 3 opthm and research online before biting the bullet on the surgery. Wait to you realllly need it.

[glad1955]

please Cecilia, could you give me your doctor's name?
I had crystalens implant on July 9, and the same problems as the above posts. I'm schedule for YAG in 2 weeks, should I go?

[swayzar]

I am in Michigan and had Crystalens in my right eye and have the same problems as some have talked about.  Please tell me how your surgery went and where you had it done.

[swayzar]

I am in Michigan and had Crystalens in my right eye and have the same problems as some have talked about.   Halo's and bluring as someone said like vasoline vision.  I have ghost images.  I was sent to U of M and they could not help and then to a Crystalens specialist in S. Dakota with the same result.  I have neither distance or close up vision.   Please let me know who did the surgery you are talking about.

[KayakerNC]

"Permaclear" seems to be advertising hype for the ReSTOR IOL.
You have a lot of lens options, but not having cataract surgery will (eventually) give you some REALLY serious vision problems.
Second and Third opinions would be helpful.
Good luck.

[Fraidycat13]

Well I've read and read and I think I'm at the point of canceling my cataract surgery which includes a Permaclear lens in both eyes. I have enough problems without adding more.

[Fraidycat13]

What do you mean by contrast sensitivity? Just trying to make sure I understand you correctly.

[ankuda]

Last year, at age 68, I had Crystalens implants in both eyes due to cataracts. While I have not experienced the same problems as others on this forum, I am very frustrated with my vision. At first, I thought the floaters I've had seemingly forever were getting worse. Now, I think the problem might be that the lens (can't tell if just the left or both) is constantly trying to focus and I'm seeing this "shift" every time I blink. Has anyone else experienced this?

[LAEckard]

Yes, same issues.

[JohnHaganMD]

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[tracyjayne]

Jodie I am 3 weeks out, of crystalens implant.  Reading all these is scaring the Hell out me because, I have never regretted anything more in my whole life.  I am a healthy active 47 year old. Who had had lasik surgery for distance 15 years ago which went perfectly.  I was told that to touch it up now would have to be done every 2 years and that if I touched it up I would loose the close up that I still had.  I opted for the crystalens as opposed to lasik as I was told that it would address both and be GOOD for life.  I am disoriented, I cannot see near or far with that eye, it is blurry and feels like I am wearing someone elses glasses that are fogged up.  All the activities I used to do have come to a stand still as I get dizzy very easy. I am willing to go to the best suregeon whereever he may be.  I am in Canada.   Any suggestions from anyone?  

[tracyjayne]

how did you do with your second eye?

[joe49424]

I got the eyes measured yesterday and spoke with the doctor. His recommendation for me is the Tecnis Aspheric lens. With the focus set for good near vision vs far vision. I've worn glasses for distance for the last fifty+ years so I think I'd be more comfortable with the same scenario. The only question I neglected to ask is ... What should I expect for my new distance vision compared to what I now have? ... better, worse, same? ... I'm worried that I might end up with worse far vision and thicker eyeglass lenses.

[KayakerNC]

I'm in eastern NC, so not as many choices in this area. I have a spreadsheet with a list of the questions I need to ask at an initial consultation, and I've added your aspheric monofocal question.  
I like the Light Adjustable Lens concept, be nice if the FDA got going and approved some of the IOLs that have been in use for many years in other countries.
In any event, your choice, and the reasons, will be appreciated.  Looking forward to your updates.

[joe49424]

Thanks KayakerNC  for the info ... I also am in Michigan (Holland). I'm going in today for measurement of the lense to be implanted in two weeks. I will be asking about the lens options. I am still unsure if I'm willing to take the Crystalens risk since it's not like buying a toaster. You just can't return it if you don't like it ... lol. Are the aspheric monofocal lenses the standard lense used these days? Thanks.  Joe