Mixing monofocal with crystalens IOL

[Gooberhead]

I have cataracts in both eyes and am 50 years old.  My doctor plans on placing a monofocal IOL in my dominant eye and a crystalens IOL in my other eye.  The monofocal lens set for distance vision and crystalens for near.  I'd rather not wear spectacles.  I'm already using monovision contact lenses with good results.  
Does this arraingment make sense?  Is this a typical approach for mixing IOLs?  Wouldn't it work better to use a Crystalens in both eyes?

Thanks

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

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[mohanc19]

I agree with 2ndsight. I had a crystalens implant on 7/15/2008, in the right eye; distance is 20/15 (perfect), but the near sight is bad, one week after surgery, and requires 1.25 readers. I hope this will improve over time.
Thanks

[2ndsight]

I would be cautious about relying on Crystalens for close-up vision. I had one implanted a month ago as did several other members and I am still using 1.25 readers and bifocals to read for example newsprint and labels, and although I can see the computer  it is more comfortable with them on as well. As I understand the Crystalens it is designed to be positioned in the eye as a distance lens and gradually accomodate to the closer distances. Ask your MD about this and what would be the result if the prescription was tailored for closer vision.

[JodieJ]

Here's another suggestion:  Aspheric monofocal lenses set for monovision in both eyes (dominant for distant, nondominant for near).  You can anticipate that your vision post-surgery will be just as good as it was before you developed cataracts (and you might even get improved night vision--see the patient education video at www.tecnisiol.com).  I really don't think you'd have anything to gain by using a Crystalens in your non-dominant eye,  and you'd avoid potential problems with glare and halos.  In addition, you'd avoid the "premium" lens surcharge.

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

Crystalens and a monofocal are a good combination for "mix and Match" as would monofocal and ReStor. I would consider NOT even considering the ReZoom IOL.

I would suggest you use the search feature and read the many postings about Crystalens.

Crystalens in both eyes might still require reading glasses.

Ultimately its your call as the multifocal IOLs are more expensive, have worse night vision, often require glasses and have more chance of complication.

JCH III MD