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My Cataract Surgery with the Crystalens Trulign Toric IOL
Cataract Surgery
At my annual eye exam June 19, 2014, my optometrist said that new glasses would not help a lot anymore, due to my cataracts. He recommended an opthamologist who did multiple types of implants, about 30 miles away.
On July 9, 2014 I had my cataract exam. Lots of tests. Had a nice long discussion with the Doctor about my options.
Monofocal lenses; set for distance, with a .5 to .75 diopter difference for better reading. Cheapest, fully covered by Medicare and my BCBS insurances. But would probably need glasses for ALL distances because of astigmatism.
Multifocal lenses, Tecnis or AcrySof ReStor. Premium lens so out-of -pocket costs of around $2000 per eye. NOT recommended due to many patient complaints. Astigmatism is the enemy of mutifocals.
Toric lenses, recommended for my astigmatism correction (about 1.5D in each eye). He does not do torics with traditional surgery because the results are so much better with laser and the Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA) System to insure correct placement and power of the lens. He uses Verifeye, which is the new version of ORA and says it give excellent results. But would probably need glasses for reading and intermediate (computer distance) vision.
Accommodative Toric lenses, Crystalens Trulign. Same as the Torics, but with the probability of good vision at all distances, including reading. May need drugstore readers for reading small print or low-light situations, such as menus in a restaurant. Out of pocket cost of around $2500 per eye. Laser and ORA are also included in that price.
His 1st recommendation is the Crystalens Trulign, 2nd the single vision torics.
At my annual eye exam June 19, 2014, my optometrist said that new glasses would not help a lot anymore, due to my cataracts. He recommended an opthamologist who did multiple types of implants, about 30 miles away.
On July 9, 2014 I had my cataract exam. Lots of tests. Had a nice long discussion with the Doctor about my options.
Monofocal lenses; set for distance, with a .5 to .75 diopter difference for better reading. Cheapest, fully covered by Medicare and my BCBS insurances. But would probably need glasses for ALL distances because of astigmatism.
Multifocal lenses, Tecnis or AcrySof ReStor. Premium lens so out-of -pocket costs of around $2000 per eye. NOT recommended due to many patient complaints. Astigmatism is the enemy of mutifocals.
Toric lenses, recommended for my astigmatism correction (about 1.5D in each eye). He does not do torics with traditional surgery because the results are so much better with laser and the Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA) System to insure correct placement and power of the lens. He uses Verifeye, which is the new version of ORA and says it give excellent results. But would probably need glasses for reading and intermediate (computer distance) vision.
Accommodative Toric lenses, Crystalens Trulign. Same as the Torics, but with the probability of good vision at all distances, including reading. May need drugstore readers for reading small print or low-light situations, such as menus in a restaurant. Out of pocket cost of around $2500 per eye. Laser and ORA are also included in that price.
His 1st recommendation is the Crystalens Trulign, 2nd the single vision torics.
Another excellent diary of a different IOL.
Best wishes for a successful outcome for both lenses, and keep up with the progress reports.
More people really should run a diary from the start of treatment to give these valuable insights.
Phil
Best wishes for a successful outcome for both lenses, and keep up with the progress reports.
More people really should run a diary from the start of treatment to give these valuable insights.
Phil
Monday Sept 15th.
Surgery on the left eye, pretty much a repeat of the 1st surgery procedure. Although this time the numbing drops at the surgery center seemed to burn for a LONG time. Even when I was on the table the eye still burned. They increased the sedative and that helped but still uncomfortable. Lots of mostly green flashing lights and after the surgery and post-op recovery back home. I didn’t even try to stay awake, and went to bed to sleep off the drugs. Left eye was foggy and blurry, but this was expected by me after my experience with the right eye.
Tuesday Sept 16th.
First day follow-up on the 2nd eye. Vision still blurry, about 20-50 in the left eye. Doctor thinks the burning from the numbing drops was a result of the laser docking, the laser is held in place by suction and this eye was more irritated by the docking procedure. Doctor says I should now use 2.0 dollar store readers to read for 2 weeks and then 1.0 readers after that for another 2 weeks. After that, I will be using the accommodating muscles and the Trulign hinged haptics to focus. We are expecting, and hoping for, glasses free….except for really small print and very low light situations.
Surgery on the left eye, pretty much a repeat of the 1st surgery procedure. Although this time the numbing drops at the surgery center seemed to burn for a LONG time. Even when I was on the table the eye still burned. They increased the sedative and that helped but still uncomfortable. Lots of mostly green flashing lights and after the surgery and post-op recovery back home. I didn’t even try to stay awake, and went to bed to sleep off the drugs. Left eye was foggy and blurry, but this was expected by me after my experience with the right eye.
Tuesday Sept 16th.
First day follow-up on the 2nd eye. Vision still blurry, about 20-50 in the left eye. Doctor thinks the burning from the numbing drops was a result of the laser docking, the laser is held in place by suction and this eye was more irritated by the docking procedure. Doctor says I should now use 2.0 dollar store readers to read for 2 weeks and then 1.0 readers after that for another 2 weeks. After that, I will be using the accommodating muscles and the Trulign hinged haptics to focus. We are expecting, and hoping for, glasses free….except for really small print and very low light situations.
Sadly, the FDA is keeping the USA at least 5 yrs behind the rest of the world in IOL choices.
But, when the time comes that cataracts are causing problems with every day life style....you've got to make your best choice of the available options. I'm too old, too cranky, and I don't have enough patience to deal with all the multifocal lens issues, and my eyes don't dilate enough for the Light Adjustable Lens adjustments, so...Torics.
And, at this point, the Crystalens Trulign seems to be the Cadillac of toric IOLs, and I'm happy with them.
But, when the time comes that cataracts are causing problems with every day life style....you've got to make your best choice of the available options. I'm too old, too cranky, and I don't have enough patience to deal with all the multifocal lens issues, and my eyes don't dilate enough for the Light Adjustable Lens adjustments, so...Torics.
And, at this point, the Crystalens Trulign seems to be the Cadillac of toric IOLs, and I'm happy with them.
2+ weeks from the surgery on the 2nd eye.
I'm now using 1.5 readers, when I need them, which isn't often. Distance and Laptop vision are great. I can read my Kindle Paperwhite without glasses, and only needed for very small print, or if really close-up vision is required. At this point, I no longer feel the need to carry readers with me at all times.
Focusing with the Crystalens Trulign was a little strange at first, but easy to get used to. When I look up from reading, the focus to distance is now a lot quicker than when I started. And the focus back to close vision is also a lot quicker. And I no longer have to think about focusing, since my eyes now seem to be on automatic.
Night vision has also improved, halos around lights have pretty much disappeared and the side of the road is very visible.
Looks like my Medicare only covered about $600 or so per eye, but I knew going in what my out-of-pocket costs would be, and I feel that I made the right decision for me
I'm now using 1.5 readers, when I need them, which isn't often. Distance and Laptop vision are great. I can read my Kindle Paperwhite without glasses, and only needed for very small print, or if really close-up vision is required. At this point, I no longer feel the need to carry readers with me at all times.
Focusing with the Crystalens Trulign was a little strange at first, but easy to get used to. When I look up from reading, the focus to distance is now a lot quicker than when I started. And the focus back to close vision is also a lot quicker. And I no longer have to think about focusing, since my eyes now seem to be on automatic.
Night vision has also improved, halos around lights have pretty much disappeared and the side of the road is very visible.
Looks like my Medicare only covered about $600 or so per eye, but I knew going in what my out-of-pocket costs would be, and I feel that I made the right decision for me
1 month check up.
Vision is 20/20 in each eye. Able to read the smallest line in the hand-held reading chart unaided. Dr is happy. I'm happy. Scheduled for the 3 month check-up in mid December for probable YAG laser.
Now using 1.0 readers when needed, which isn't often. Basically, I have the vision of the early 40 year old. Be nice to have a 30 y/o vision, and eventually newer and better IOLs will make that possible, but, given the state of the FDA, US citizens will probably have to get on a plane to obtain it.
I am totally happy with my Crystalens Trulign torics, and highly recommend them to anyone who is a suitable candidate.
Vision is 20/20 in each eye. Able to read the smallest line in the hand-held reading chart unaided. Dr is happy. I'm happy. Scheduled for the 3 month check-up in mid December for probable YAG laser.
Now using 1.0 readers when needed, which isn't often. Basically, I have the vision of the early 40 year old. Be nice to have a 30 y/o vision, and eventually newer and better IOLs will make that possible, but, given the state of the FDA, US citizens will probably have to get on a plane to obtain it.
I am totally happy with my Crystalens Trulign torics, and highly recommend them to anyone who is a suitable candidate.
3 month check-up and YAG.
Vision 20/20 in both eyes, star-burst halos at night have gotten bigger. Not a problem as they are easily ignored.
Diluting drops for the YAG procedure, which is done in a small room. Looks like 4 red lights in a small square, clicking noise as the laser does its' job. The clicks come from the machine but feel like they are echoing from the back of my skull. No pain at all, about 20-30 seconds for each eye.
No follow up meds are required. Noticed some new floaters towards the bottom of the left eye, but they were totally gone in a few hours.
Piece of cake.
Vision 20/20 in both eyes, star-burst halos at night have gotten bigger. Not a problem as they are easily ignored.
Diluting drops for the YAG procedure, which is done in a small room. Looks like 4 red lights in a small square, clicking noise as the laser does its' job. The clicks come from the machine but feel like they are echoing from the back of my skull. No pain at all, about 20-30 seconds for each eye.
No follow up meds are required. Noticed some new floaters towards the bottom of the left eye, but they were totally gone in a few hours.
Piece of cake.
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