Aa
Many problems with Crystalens
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
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
Were you unsuccessful at improving your distance vision with a contact lens? (In this case, probably Lasik wouldn't work either.) If your surgeon is experienced at explanting IOLs and feels that you are a good candidate for this procedure, then why not go for it? I'm assuming that you are happy with your vision with your ReStor eye. My only concern is related to your surgeon's claim that your ReStor lens will be targeted for good distance and arm's length vision. From everything I know, the ReStor is a bifocal IOL with distance and near vision segments. There is no segment for intermediate (or "arm's length") vision. Consequently, many otherwise happy ReStor patients do need weak readers for using the computer (and other intermediate vision tasks.) But if you're happy with your ReStor vision in your right eye, this seems to me to be a minor inconvenience. Near vision with ReStor is reported to be excellent.
Thanks for responding, JodieJ.
The contact lens improved distance and took away the uncomfortable feeling of looking through a glass smeared with Vaseline. But I lost intermediate and reading by doing that. My surgeon is experienced at explanting the IOLs and has even done them beyond 6 months, although he prefers to do them within the first 8-10 weeks. He also said the Crystalens is the easiest of the 3 multifocal IOLs to explant. With the ReStor, he measured the len's power so that the reading distance will focus further out than the right eye, approx 20" out (a bit of monovision). I know this isn't an exact science, but any range out from the current reading distance in the right eye (ReStor) will help to provide better reading and depth. And if it turns out I need readers for intermediate, I don't mind a bit. It's the "vaseline" feeling that's causing the most stress.
Thanks,
jefields
The contact lens improved distance and took away the uncomfortable feeling of looking through a glass smeared with Vaseline. But I lost intermediate and reading by doing that. My surgeon is experienced at explanting the IOLs and has even done them beyond 6 months, although he prefers to do them within the first 8-10 weeks. He also said the Crystalens is the easiest of the 3 multifocal IOLs to explant. With the ReStor, he measured the len's power so that the reading distance will focus further out than the right eye, approx 20" out (a bit of monovision). I know this isn't an exact science, but any range out from the current reading distance in the right eye (ReStor) will help to provide better reading and depth. And if it turns out I need readers for intermediate, I don't mind a bit. It's the "vaseline" feeling that's causing the most stress.
Thanks,
jefields
It sounds like your Crystalens has left you slightly nearsighted, giving you a type of modified monovision, with distance vision in your nondominant eye and near/intermediate vision in your dominant eye. Maybe you couldn't get used to not having good distance vision in your dominant eye. My only concern is whether slight monovision with ReStor will work much better. Maybe the forum doctors have an opinion about this.
CRYSTALENS PROBLEMS! HELP PLEASE!
Does anyone kno of any lawsuits against their doctor or Eyeonics ( makers of Crystalens)?
I have been severely injured by the implantation of the Crystalens IOL.
Can anyone help? Would like to know others problems w/ this lens please!
Thank you so much.
Does anyone kno of any lawsuits against their doctor or Eyeonics ( makers of Crystalens)?
I have been severely injured by the implantation of the Crystalens IOL.
Can anyone help? Would like to know others problems w/ this lens please!
Thank you so much.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is a medical/surgical eye care forum. It is not a rallying point for lawsuits. Please do not continue this thread (injured). There are a million trial lawyers out there with websites trolling for lawsuits. If you must go there.
If you post again on the subject of lawsuits your posting will be removed and you will be denied access in the future.
The Eye Physicians of the AAO MedHelp Eye Forums
If you post again on the subject of lawsuits your posting will be removed and you will be denied access in the future.
The Eye Physicians of the AAO MedHelp Eye Forums
So sorry. Only trying to get info & solutions to problems associated with implant of Crystalens.
Thought maybe someone who had extensive issues may have solutions to the eye problems
and/or referral to MD who may have been involved in fixing their vision conditions.
Thought maybe someone who had extensive issues may have solutions to the eye problems
and/or referral to MD who may have been involved in fixing their vision conditions.
Obviously, the problems you've been having with your Crystalens implants are causing you a great deal of distress, but it's not clear that they can't be reduced/eliminated. I think that your best bet would be to get a second (and maybe third or even fourth) opinion from a cataract/refractive surgeon who are experienced with Crystalens. I assume that your relationship with your own cataract surgeon is too damaged to ask him/her for a such a referral. A general practice ophthalmologist might be a good source for referrals, or you could try the ophthalmology department at a medical center. Sometimes optometrists (who occasionally do post-surgery care) are knowledgeable about who's good. Or you could try posting your location, and perhaps someone could provide the name of a doctor in your area. You might even try the 800 number at Eyeonomics for the names of surgeons. Just be sure that the doctor you see is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has been practicing for awhile (i.e., not someone who just finished his/her residency last year). Dr. Hagan has posted the website address for AAO's find-an-eye-MD elsewhere on this forum.
It might also be helpful to read through the archives of this forum for other threads from people who have had Crystalens problems. Earlier in this thread, jefields reported that her surgeon is experienced at explanting the Crystalens, even beyond 6-months post-surgery. (Do you live in Alabama?) You could also start your own thread, describing your problems, and perhaps the forum doctors or other readers would have suggestions for you.
I know from personal experience that vision problems can be terribly anxiety-provoking. At this point in time, I think it would be best for you to focus your efforts and energy on trying to resolve them. Best wishes.
It might also be helpful to read through the archives of this forum for other threads from people who have had Crystalens problems. Earlier in this thread, jefields reported that her surgeon is experienced at explanting the Crystalens, even beyond 6-months post-surgery. (Do you live in Alabama?) You could also start your own thread, describing your problems, and perhaps the forum doctors or other readers would have suggestions for you.
I know from personal experience that vision problems can be terribly anxiety-provoking. At this point in time, I think it would be best for you to focus your efforts and energy on trying to resolve them. Best wishes.
The website I referred to above is www.aao.org. There is a link to their "find an eye M.D." feature on their home page. You will have to call the doctor's office to find out about his/her experience with Crystalens (the more, the better). You can also use this site to find out about the credentials of doctors who have been referred to you from other sources (such as the Eyeonics 800 number). Please don't get discouraged. If all else fails, there are many fine surgeons nationwide who are experienced at explanting multifocal/accommodating IOLs (like the Crystalens) and replacing them with monofocal lenses. Best of luck!
I am very sorry about your problems with the Crystalens. I don't believe my eye has been damaged with the implantation of this lens...only that I'm having vision problems that are making me uncomfortable. My doctor is explanting the lens tomorrow morning, and will be replacing it with a lens like the one in my other eye, a ReStor lens. My doctor is very happy to do this as he wants happy patients as well, and he, too, is sorry the Crystalens didn't work for me. I hope you can find a doctor whom you can trust and work with. It is, as JodieJ said, a very anxiety-producing situation when you are experiencing vision problems and I wish you well.
jefields
jefields
I can relate to jefields and her experience with crystalens which I had implanted several years ago. I have the same problems and my Dr assures me that it is perfectly placed and there are no real problems. I got a second opinion and he said I should ask my Dr. to try something to help me, maybe lasik at his expense. When I did this, he said with my eyes being dry, this would only make it worse. There seems to be nothing else he can do and I have truly lost trust in his decisions anyway.
He does not want to do invasive surgery again, and he did not feel comfortable going back in originally as Crystalens suggested, to giggle it and hopefully get it to focus as it should have. The eye is always uncomfotable and I wear a contact over it most of the time for distance. If you know an experienced Dr. with these lenses in Charlotte, NC, I would certainly go in for a third or forth recommendation. Thanks.
He does not want to do invasive surgery again, and he did not feel comfortable going back in originally as Crystalens suggested, to giggle it and hopefully get it to focus as it should have. The eye is always uncomfotable and I wear a contact over it most of the time for distance. If you know an experienced Dr. with these lenses in Charlotte, NC, I would certainly go in for a third or forth recommendation. Thanks.
If you eye has been "damaged", it is due to the cataract/IOL procedure itself and NOT the crystalens. There are a couple of aspects of the crystalens procedure that differ from the traditional monofocal IOL procedure. However, these subtle differences are for the surgeon to be MORE meticulous with things like the size of the capsulorhexis (opening in the front capsule or "shell" of the natural lens) and cleanup of any residual cortical material.
Again, if you were injured, it is more than likely that you would have been injured regardless of the lens that was implanted. To be quite honest, these days any patient injury that occurs in the operating room during a cataract procedure is typically due to the patient moving during rather delicate parts of the surgery. It has been my experience observing well over 20 cases per week, every week for the last three years that the incidence of "mistakes" made by surgeons is almost too low to calculate.
Again, if you were injured, it is more than likely that you would have been injured regardless of the lens that was implanted. To be quite honest, these days any patient injury that occurs in the operating room during a cataract procedure is typically due to the patient moving during rather delicate parts of the surgery. It has been my experience observing well over 20 cases per week, every week for the last three years that the incidence of "mistakes" made by surgeons is almost too low to calculate.
I agree that this is not the forum to form class action lawsuits. That being said, I'm glad all of us with Crystalens problems were able to give you a "chuckle". Statements like that will give you zero credibility on this forum as if your username were not enough.
I also aggee with Old Navy. My MD does not allow your type in his office. As if there is not enough mark up with out you, and your type. The reform would be to cut your peice of the pie from the picture to lower the cost.
Further, You don't hit a Home Run every time you step up to the plate. All we are asking is WHY??? How can something so simple and la-tee-da as you say, in some cases have a 180 effect on some.people. My vision is three times worse now, I lost my vision, I lost my income, my life as I once had it,and I'm out $7000.00 plus ,with bills still comming! Real easy for you to make such rude comments to someone that is beside themself due to your income.
Shame on YOU !
Further, You don't hit a Home Run every time you step up to the plate. All we are asking is WHY??? How can something so simple and la-tee-da as you say, in some cases have a 180 effect on some.people. My vision is three times worse now, I lost my vision, I lost my income, my life as I once had it,and I'm out $7000.00 plus ,with bills still comming! Real easy for you to make such rude comments to someone that is beside themself due to your income.
Shame on YOU !
My company is the leader in phaco equipment in the world. As far as your "doesn't allow your type" comment, you are showing your ignorance. No surgeon uses our phaco equipment or lenses without a rep (at least initially) in the OR. So yes, your doctor does allow "our type" into his operating room.
YOU are the most dangerous person out there. You are clearly part of the "partially educated public"...
YOU are the most dangerous person out there. You are clearly part of the "partially educated public"...
I am an optical engineer with a cataract, trying to decide which (if any) IOL to have implanted. I have been watching this forum and have a slightly different view of things...
When things don't work well, it is because SOMETHING isn't working as it should. 100.00% of failures and problems should at minimum be fully understood, so that they are never repeated. Failure to close this obvious quality-control gap must fall on the IOL manufacturer-surgeon team, as there is simply nowhere else for it to fall. For example, how could a patient ever get an IOL that was out of focus except through surgical error? There probably ARE reasons for it to be something else, but the surgeon probably lacks the skills and equipment to figure it out, and besides, whatever he finds would probably just be used against him in court. Asking the patients to chase 2nd and 3rd opinions from other surgeons who also lack the skills and equipment is just plain stupid.
No, there needs to be a central facility for people with problem IOL implants to go, where people with the skills and machinery can diagnose EXACTLY what the problem is. Then, depending on the exact problem, the patients should be referred to a surgeon with experience fixing that exact problem.
Currently the ONLY party with the money and interest in such a facility is the IOL manufacturer. So, please stop complaining about the complainers and do what you can to fix this obvious mess. YOU are the only party standing between the patients and the manufacturer, whose voice might be able to correct this mess.
Hopefully you can see that the cost/benefit of such a facility is WAY better than living without it, as every new patient now sees IOLs as a crap shoot. Sure, few people ever go blind from this procedure. However, there are a LOT of people who certainly aren't satisfied with it. Currently, the definition of "success" is vision that may still be WORSE than that of my bad eye. It seems that with the present mess, that I should wait for my bad eye to become SO bad that it doesn't qualify as a "success" before getting an IOL.
In my own case, I do a LOT of fine work and really need Crystalens' depth of focus. The "little" detail that once you have some OTHER type of lens implanted, that you can then never have a Crystalens, makes choosing the right IOL very important.
Further, that some people aren't able to focus far away with their Crystalens indicates a REALLY BIG problem, because with its superior depth of focus, this should never ever be a problem. Clearly, any such problems should STOP implantation until it is fully understood.
I was waiting for aspheric crystalens to come onto the market, but I can now see that perhaps I should also wait for the IOL manufacturers to get a dose of responsibility.
I wonder if somewhere in the U.S. there is an IOL surgeon who is willing to purchase the equipment to fully diagnose IOL problems, and would like to make some REALLY BIG money fixing the screwups of the IOL manufacturers and surgeons. All it would take is just one IOL surgeon looking to make some REALLY BIG money to close this gap.
Steve
When things don't work well, it is because SOMETHING isn't working as it should. 100.00% of failures and problems should at minimum be fully understood, so that they are never repeated. Failure to close this obvious quality-control gap must fall on the IOL manufacturer-surgeon team, as there is simply nowhere else for it to fall. For example, how could a patient ever get an IOL that was out of focus except through surgical error? There probably ARE reasons for it to be something else, but the surgeon probably lacks the skills and equipment to figure it out, and besides, whatever he finds would probably just be used against him in court. Asking the patients to chase 2nd and 3rd opinions from other surgeons who also lack the skills and equipment is just plain stupid.
No, there needs to be a central facility for people with problem IOL implants to go, where people with the skills and machinery can diagnose EXACTLY what the problem is. Then, depending on the exact problem, the patients should be referred to a surgeon with experience fixing that exact problem.
Currently the ONLY party with the money and interest in such a facility is the IOL manufacturer. So, please stop complaining about the complainers and do what you can to fix this obvious mess. YOU are the only party standing between the patients and the manufacturer, whose voice might be able to correct this mess.
Hopefully you can see that the cost/benefit of such a facility is WAY better than living without it, as every new patient now sees IOLs as a crap shoot. Sure, few people ever go blind from this procedure. However, there are a LOT of people who certainly aren't satisfied with it. Currently, the definition of "success" is vision that may still be WORSE than that of my bad eye. It seems that with the present mess, that I should wait for my bad eye to become SO bad that it doesn't qualify as a "success" before getting an IOL.
In my own case, I do a LOT of fine work and really need Crystalens' depth of focus. The "little" detail that once you have some OTHER type of lens implanted, that you can then never have a Crystalens, makes choosing the right IOL very important.
Further, that some people aren't able to focus far away with their Crystalens indicates a REALLY BIG problem, because with its superior depth of focus, this should never ever be a problem. Clearly, any such problems should STOP implantation until it is fully understood.
I was waiting for aspheric crystalens to come onto the market, but I can now see that perhaps I should also wait for the IOL manufacturers to get a dose of responsibility.
I wonder if somewhere in the U.S. there is an IOL surgeon who is willing to purchase the equipment to fully diagnose IOL problems, and would like to make some REALLY BIG money fixing the screwups of the IOL manufacturers and surgeons. All it would take is just one IOL surgeon looking to make some REALLY BIG money to close this gap.
Steve
I had Crystalens implants in both eyes in June/July 2009. The first eye (right) seemed to be doing well after 2 weeks and my doctor approved going ahead with the second (left) eye the following week. I felt there were problems with the left eye at about 5 days after surgery when my distance reading vision started to blur. I could see scenery, etc. clearly but couldn't read road signs until I was close to them. I was told the lens were in perfect position and the blurriness was due to dry eyes. As time went on the distance vision in both eyes continued to get worse. I was told this was probably due to the scar tissue not allowing the lens to move properly and a simple YAG laser treatment after 3 months would most likely take care of the problem. At 3 months after my second surgery I was anxious to get the YAG laser done expecting my vision to improve. What a MISTAKE! The YAG laser treatment caused the lens in both eyes to shift and my vision took a dramatic turn for the worse. Additionally, it immediately caused large cloudy wavy floaters in both eyes, especially the right eye and I feel a constant tugging in the right eye. My surgeon referred me to an opthamologist who is treating me for uveitis. The edema is improving but my vision is not getting better. My surgeon has offered to do Lasix to try to improve my vision but I have a problem with dry eyes which the opthamologist says will get worse. Has anyone gone through the explant and replacement of the Crystalens? Can you tell me if that was successful? Also, does anyone know how much worse the Lasix will make my dry eye problem? I had the Crystalens surgery because my dry eyes made it impossible to wear contact lens and I get terrible headaches when I wear glasses. I just want to be able to see without this constant pain and blurriness in my eyes. I know my problems have been experienced my many of you on this site and I am hoping someone has been able to find a solution to help. Please share any insight you may have.
crystalensgonewrong
crystalensgonewrong
"Refractive" surgery is always very individual based. If you have a type A personality and is very "particular" about your vision, you should never have any refractive procedures done. No LASIK no Crystalens no Restore lens. I have found that engineers (I used to be one), are the most demanding people to satisfy as a patient. As such, I never do elective procedure on them. I am a very particular physician as well and I pick and choose who I will be operating on. That's not to say these new lenses are not any good. You just have to be the right patient for it.
Ace
Ace
Your post is RIGHT ON! What you are describing is exactly the kind of facility I am trying to find, and would expect the manufacturers to already have in place, to diagnose the problem and provide a source to fix my vision after my Crystalen's implants. At the moment I am most upset with my cataract surgeon as I have an autoimmune disorder where inflammation of the blood vessels is a big problem for me. I discussed all this with my doctor prior to consenting to surgery and he assured and reassured me that he was familiar with Behcet's and that I still was a good candidate for this procedure and the Behcet's would not be a issue. My pre-treatment and follow-up treatments were handled exactly the same as any other patient - no special attention given to the Behcets. I was told early on and throughout recovery that if my vision didn't improve the surgeon could first do a laser treatment (YAG) to "obliterate" the scar tissue and if that wasn't enough he could "tweak" it with some Lasik. I had no idea at the time the YAG actually cut a hole in the capsulary sac. No big deal - RIGHT! - WRONG, the YAG made my vision 5 times worse than before the YAG. As I said in my earlier post, I am currently being treated for Uveitis, which is close to being under control so my Opthamologist released me to discuss my options, with the refractive surgeon. I am now doing extensive research (which I should have done pre-op) and am finding information that suggests additional precautions (a pre-surgery prednisone dose and a longer period - perhaps 3 months instead of 4 weeks - for the steriodal eyedrops could have been prescribed to slow down the healing process to allow the lens to properly scar in place. Well, my surgeon accepts NO responsibility for "the way I healed" and says I could have had a Behcet's flare for other reasons, not related to the eye surgery - Any invasive procedure can cause inflammation anywhere in the body. OK, enough of that. At this point I told my surgeon I just want to be able to see without constant the discomfort and distraction I am currently experiencing. He now says my options are: 1) explant the Crystalens - which is no longer a viable option since he did the YAG laser (which he NEVER told me about any of the complications or cost involved with that!), 2) insert a "piggy-back" mono-focal lens to add distance vision (we didn't get into the cost of that yet), 3) Lasik or PRK which will improve the distance vision at the cost of losing my near vision and worsen my dry eye issues (again never previously mentioned this "tweaking" would hurt the near vision and didn't tell me additional costs would be involved if it came to this), and 4) told me to get a 2nd opinion and gave me a referral to a "Crystalens Specialist" in Dallas. I am planning on calling the "specialist" today, but as others have said the costs just go on and on.
IT IS JUST NOT RIGHT THAT A DOCTOR CAN ENCOURAGE YOU WITH THE PROSPECT OF BETTER VISION, TAKE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF YOUR MONEY, TIME & EMOTIONAL WELL BEING, AND JUST SAY "SORRY, NOT MY FAULT, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WEAR GLASSES FULL TIME THE REST OF YOUR LIFE - WHICH IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AND IS WHY I OPTED TO GO THIS ROUTE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!
If anyone has already gone down this path I would appreciate hearing which option you choose and if you are satisfied with the final outcome.
IT IS JUST NOT RIGHT THAT A DOCTOR CAN ENCOURAGE YOU WITH THE PROSPECT OF BETTER VISION, TAKE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF YOUR MONEY, TIME & EMOTIONAL WELL BEING, AND JUST SAY "SORRY, NOT MY FAULT, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WEAR GLASSES FULL TIME THE REST OF YOUR LIFE - WHICH IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AND IS WHY I OPTED TO GO THIS ROUTE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!
If anyone has already gone down this path I would appreciate hearing which option you choose and if you are satisfied with the final outcome.
I too have had problems with my Crystalens implant. I had a Crystalens implanted into my right eye. I was told by the opthlamologist that those people that did not have good results with this lens in the past, did not follow their MDs instructions. I was told to practice reading this card, supplied by Crystalens, that had varying font sizes. I did this faithfully because I wanted my implant to work. My vision did not improve so the MD performed YAG and LASIK surgery. When my vision still did not improve I was referred to his partner (a retinologist). I was given steroid injections into my eye. This did not help so later I had a vitrectomy. Then I developed glaucoma. The pressure in my eye rose to over 50 so I had a needle stuck in my eye to relieve the pressure (twice). Needless to say, I know have to use a steroid eye drop and glaucoma eye drops in my eye for the rest of my life. I still have problems with elevated pressure in my eye. The MD told me that my Crystalens had locked into the "up close" position and was not focusing properly. I did correspond back and forth with the makers of Crystalens and sought legal help. I was told that in order to prove that the lens was faulty, I would have to have the lens removed. I read where the lens is damaged when removed from the eye. So, I guess there is no way to prove that this lens is faulty. So I am stuck with what I have and would not recommend this lens for ANYONE. I think the FDA needs to investigate these claims and remove this product from the market.
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