crystalens implant

[petticoatwriter]

I had Crystalens implants on both eyes> First one on May 20th and the other on June 3rd.  My intermediate vision is great but close-up and distance is very blurry.  Is this normal.?  Will my distance get better with time.?  I hear it can take many weeks for adjustment.  Is that true also for distance vision? My dr said I have 20/40 in one that was done on May 20th and the other that was done less than a week ago he said it came out better.  I am a wreck that if the distance does't improve I will need glasses.  thankyou

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You may have some residual refractive error (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.)  My best guess is that you may have some significant astigmatism or hyperopia since even the near vision is blurry.  You definitely need to understand that wearing glasses is still a possibility despite whatever implant you get.  In your case, I am surprised that your distance vision is not a little better since the crystalens has the potential to provide excellent distance vision.  Unfortunately, the very characteristic that makes the lens able to flex some in the eye also allows this lens to move around a little bit in the first few days to weeks after surgery, which can throw off the refractive accuracy and leave some myopia in some patients.  Talk with your surgeon.  If the vision still is not to your liking after several weeks, there are ways to  improve the distance vision with LASIK or Limbal relaxing incisions.  Regarding the near vision, don't expect it to be great.  While intermediate and distance should be pretty good with this lens, up-close, near vision may be it's weaker link.  I think with a little time and if necessary a quick enhancement procedure, you should be much happier.

Michael Kutryb, MD
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Kutryb Eye Institute
407 S Washington Ave
Titusville, FL 32796
321-267-2020

[2ndsight]

I had astigmatism of 1.00 diopter in my right eye before my Crystalens implant (almost 8 weeks ago) but it never seemed to affect my vision very much. But with the Crystalens the astigmatism seems to be more noticeable. It causes some blurriness and distortion. You might try asking for a glasses prescription first, with correction for both the distance vision and astigmatism first and see how you do with this before rushing into a laser procedure.

Most people on this board including myself need reading glasses with Crystalens to see up close and small print, etc. The advantage over a monofocal lens I is that I can see very well at closer distances, the mirror, shopping, cooking, doing routine tasks, and I just use glasses for reading and computer.

[JodieJ]

In order to get a better perspective on the Crystalens, you have to compare it to what you might get with aspheric monofocal lenses, which don't involve a "premium lens" surcharge.  With monofocal lenses set for "blended vision" (dominant eye for distance, nondominant eye for intermediate), you can expect close to 20/20 vision at distance and excellent uncorrected computer (intermediate) vision.  You'd probably need weak readers to read small print (e.g., the phone book), but you could probably perform most daily activities without glasses.  In addition, the manufacturers of the Tecnis and AcrySof IQ lenses have submitted research evidence showing that these lenses improve night vision and contrast sensitivity.  (The Crystalens offers no such benefit.)  And aspheric monofocal lenses have much fewer post-surgery problems and complications compared to the Crystalens.

One of my mother's friends (aged 80) has aspheric monofocal lenses set for full monovision.  (She previously wore monovision contact lenses.)  She never needs glasses for any activity, including night driving.  

[petticoatwriter]

I was told that I would not need reading glasses with the Crystalens where as I would the other.  Believe me, right now I'm kicking myself worrying I wasted the money.    But until I stop seeing 3 of everything all the time it's hard to say if I made a mistake. I saw my doctor yesterday and he's giving it 2 more weeks then if the astigmatism doesn't clear by then he'll go in and do PKR  (is that what it's called) to adjust it. What are your pros and cons (other than the money) on the Crystalens?
I'm much better knowing it can be corrected. Again I thank you.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

No - if you have residual myopia, I don't expect it to correct itself.  Just out of curiosity, how do you feel that your results are better with this lens than an aspheric monofocal implant that would have cost you zero?

MJK MD

[petticoatwriter]

Thankyou for you quick response.  .  My vision before was 20/400 even before I got cataracts (I am 58) so the results I did receive was great. My only concern was distance and now knowing there may be a solution to that really helps. When you said this "allows the lens to move a little bit in the first few days to weeks after surgery, which can throw off the refractive accuracy and leave some myopia in some patients" is it possible that could correct itself in the next weeks. Name of the game is patience I know but this lens was recommended for me by my Doctor who is one of the best in my area and I was worried I made a mistake and should've just had the regular lens.  It's a blessing knowing this website is available