Crystalens Special Problems to Consider

[drwalter]

I have found this board extremely helpful and I offer this statement from my eye doctor. I was on the fence between Crystalens and the Tecnis MONOfocal, but have now decided on monofocal:

"If you interested in Crystalens, I can do it for you. but you should know that
1) Crystalens work best for far and intermediate distance (about 75cm-1meter). but for small letter and near tasks it can't compare to multifocal IOL such as Restor or Acri.Lisa, That means you're likely to need glasses for small letter. (But it'll work better in computer distance compare to multifocal IOL)
2) Crystalens need more time for rehabilitation. At least first 2 week you will be instructed to use glasses for near tasks (you will prohibit to reading with out glasses because it can induce change in power of the eye in that peroid.) and optimal interval between each eye is about 1-2 weeks.
3) After 2 weeks You need to "practice" your eyes muscle to improve near vision after surgery. It will take time but will keep improve in near tasks over time.
4) Power shift can happen in this type of lens, Some patients (small amount) need second surgery to reposition of lens.
5) Night vision phenomenons are much less compare to multifocal lens but patients with multifocal lens can adapt themselves  in 2-3 months. So almost all my patients do not have problems with night driving.
6) You may need additional laser after surgery about 3 months. (it's a minor outpatient procedure)"

For me I feel the science of the lens is good, but practical application may be difficult.

[techron]

I had Crystalens AO implanted in both eyes 3 months ago.  I have to say that the extra $$$$ paid was well worth every penny.  No regrets!  I have excellent intermediate and distant vision. I now enjoy my game of golf and track my balls without the help of others. I have no halos or night vision problems. I can clearly read the Interstate freeway and street signs way before I get to them. Watching hi-def television is spectacular and working on the computer is a whole new experience. My near vision isn't as good as I'd like it to be, and my doctor has me exercising my eye muscles with reading exercises. The first few weeks reading newspaper print wasn't easy without +2.00 reading glasses, but since I've been doing the exercises, I'm down to +1.0 glasses and sometimes none at all. What's more amazing is in bright light I don't need any glasses and can read even smaller print than on my reading exercise chart. I'll give my near vision some time and won't rush it.  

So for those who are on the fence about Crystalens, I can only say do your research, find a knowledgeable, experienced doctor you trust who has a lot of experience with the lens being implanted, and keep your expectations reasonable.  Ask to speak to others who have had the procedure with the same lens.  Finally, it helps that my doctor is a Crystalens-certified ophthalmologist.

You'll do fine with your recovery.

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

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[icyone]

I wish you luck  with you Crystalens recovery -- interested to read that you are told to wear "cheaters" for near vision.   I know that with earlier versions there was talk of promoting recovery by having the patient do reading exercises but had not heard of that more recently until reading the post from drwalter.

I had Crystalens replacements in both eyes 8 months ago.  Oddly enough, I had very good near vision right from the start -- can read everything except very fine print.  Unfortunately my distant vision, which was what I specifically wanted, is terrible.  Probably should not be driving without contact lenses -- not sure if I would pass the eye test, but without contacts I cannot read street signs; cannot read  overhead signs on the Interstate until I am right under them -- too late to matter!   I have never seen anything in any of the literature to suggest this outcome: it is always said that your distant vision will be good but near vision is problematical, so I cannot figure why this outcome would happen.   Opthamologist had nothing to say except "Well, you used to be farsighted but now you are nearsighted"  but that doesn't explain why --it just seems very odd given the descriptions of how the Crystalens is supposed to work.  For now I use a small hand lens to read when I am wearing contacts -- works ok but is a bit inconvenient.    So for my extra $6500 it doesn't seem like I got anything extra for results.

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

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[BCONWAYUSA]

Thanks for all of those clear comments from your doctor.. I had been looking for recent posts... I had a crystalens replacement IOL a few weeks ago and have been very happy with the physical recovery... not that excited about the vision results but I am willing to give it the requisite time... Distance vision is not quite as good as my non-operated eye in which I use a monofocal contact lens. Close vision (reading or computer) in the operated eye is not good (it was perfect without a contact prior to surgery)... I have been instructed to keep wearing "cheaters" for reading, even if I could read without them, for a while. I had believed that my near vision with crystalens would be the best possible... perhaps it will turn out that way... guardedly optimistic. Old reports (2006) were very poor for crystalens; hopefully this is a new generation IOL:)

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

That's a pretty frank discussion of the "risks"
JCH MD