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

[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]

=

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[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.