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What is Crystalens®?
Crystalens® is an intraocular lens that, unlike a standard intraocular lens (IOL), can treat both
vision loss from cataracts and presbyopia (loss of near and intermediate focusing ability). You probably noticed in your forties that you started to lose some of your up-close vision and had to start wearing
reading glasses; this was due to a loss of accommodation.
Crystalens® is designed to recreate your accommodation and reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses. With the unique Crystalens®, you can enjoy activities such as driving a car, working on a computer, and reading a book, often without glasses.
How does it work?
Crystalens® replaces the eye's natural lens and is designed to mimic the eye's natural
focusing ability, thereby enabling vision across a broad range of distances comparable to a young healthy eye.
As with the natural lens, Crystalens® accommodates, or moves and flexes, in response to ciliary muscle contractions in the eye. These contractions create forward movement of the lens so the eye can maintain a clear image as it focuses on near, intermediate and far objects.
How is this different from regular cataract surgery?
In the past, cataract surgery was only able to treat a patient's cataracts,
not presbyopia, so patients would still be dependent on glasses for most of their daily activities, especially for up close and intermediate activities. Crystalens® will correct for more than just your
cataracts. Crystalens® can offer you a fuller range of vision and reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses.
How do I know if I am a good candidate?
If your eyes are healthy, you have not had previous cataract surgery and you have no
major health problems, you may be an excellent candidate for Crystalens®. Your doctor will perform a thorough exam and advise if Crystalens® is right for you.
How is Crystalens® different from other lifestyle lenses on the market?
Crystalens® is the only accommodating
intraocular lens on the United States market. As with the natural lens, Crystalens® accommodates, or moves and flexes using an innovative design, in response to ciliary eye muscle contractions.
Can my vision be corrected to 20/20 for both reading and distance?
No surgeon can guarantee 20/20 vision because everybody's
eyes function differently. However, our patients have been reporting excellent results and most enjoy the majority of their activities without glasses.
Will I really be able to see without glasses?
Since everyone's vision, expectations, and lifestyles differ it is difficult to
determine how much you will be dependent on glasses.
If you are like the majority of Crystalens® patients, you should be able to experience the same quality vision you did when you were younger, with minimal or no dependence on glasses after Crystalens® surgery.
Will I be able to read in all lighting conditions?
Crystalens® works similarly to your natural lens in that it delivers
100% of available light rays at all distances. Unlike many multifocal IOL's on the market, lighting conditions have very little impact on patients with Crystalens®.
Crystalens directs all available light received by the eye to a single focal point, resulting in quality of vision comparable to a healthy natural lens. Patients have reported very minimal disturbances. However, it is recommended that you use good lighting when reading.
Will I experience halos and glare? Will this lens effect how I drive at night?
All IOL's, including standard monofocal IOL's,
can create some degree of halos and glare. Glare and halos have sometimes been observed with the Crystalens®. However, unlike a multifocal IOL, Crystalens works similarly to your natural lens in the way
it delivers available light rays at all distances. As a result, Crystalens patients typically experience fewer halos and less glare than a multifocal IOL patient.
Will insurance/Medicare cover any of the procedure?
Insurance coverage varies greatly from policy to policy.
Generally speaking, private insurance and Medicare will cover the cataract surgical procedure and may also allow a certain additional amount for a standard lens implant. With Crystalens®, you are receiving an additional benefit of presbyopia correction that will allow you to enjoy a fuller range of vision with decreased dependence on glasses. You will be responsible for paying for the presbyopia correcting portion of the surgery, which is not covered by Medicare.
What about my intermediate vision, like working on the computer?
In the Crystalens® clinical trials, patients
reported good intermediate vision. Most patients are able to see their computers, dashboards and anything else at arm's length without glasses.
Will Crystalens® stop working over time?
Crystalens® surgery is permanent and there is no evidence that the lens will
stop working over time.
Patients have had Crystalens® implanted in their eyes for nearly 8 years with no change in its ability to flex. It is an extremely well tested and durable design. In fact, there is clinical evidence to support that most patients' vision continues to improve with time.
Should I have the procedure in both eyes?
Typically cataracts will develop in both eyes, and we recommend that the surgery be
done in both eyes. Usually you will have surgery on the second eye with 2 weeks of the first eye.
How long will the surgery take?
Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient surgery and takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
Will I feel anything?
No. Topical anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye and other medications will be administered to help relax you.
When will I be able to return to my normal activities?
Typically you will be able to return to normal activities within several
days.
You should be able to drive and return to work within 1-3 days. Your eyes may be sensitive to the touch for a few days, and you should initially avoid strenuous activity and rubbing your eye.
What should I expect during the recovery period?
Patient's recovery phase varies.
For some patients it takes longer for their near vision to come into focus, while others achieve great near vision almost immediately. The best way to learn about the recovery period is to talk to your surgeon about the procedure.
How often will I need to have my eyes checked after surgery?
Your doctor will advise you based on your procedure.
Typically, the doctor will see you one day after surgery, after 2-4 weeks and again around 3-6 months after surgery. Thereafter, an annual exam is sufficient.
Will I have to have cataract surgery again?
Once your cataracts are removed and replaced with an IOL, you will never need to
have cataract surgery again. Occasionally, several months after the lens has been placed in the eye, your vision may start to become cloudy again.
This can happen with any type of IOL This is sometimes called a cloudy capsule or secondary cataract and refers to the clouding of the membrane that surrounds the implant. Dr. Kohn can quickly and painlessly remove the clouded cells with an office laser if necessary.
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