Crystalens HD 4th Generation Lens

[jrws]

Just wondering if anyone out there has any new input on this new generation Crystalens. I understand they are now being used by some Ophthalmologists (having been recently released and revised).

I would love some feedback from the Dr's viewing this site as well as from any readers who have used these new lenses as to your personal experiences with them, even if your early on impressions. Thank you all in advance for your input!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Remember "newer" is not always better. Several new IOLS (example Azar 91Z, Stableflex, Leiske IOLS) were "the newest IOL' but ended up causing many more complications than older lens when they were developed.  

Multifocal IOLs are the "newest" but--in my view--not the "bestest" for most people.

JCH MD

[2ndsight]

this model was just approved by the FDA on July 1 so it might be a little while before the reviews are in!

[jrws]

Thanks for your reply! Hope there are some people/Drs out there who have started to use this lens and have fantastic initial "sightings"/experiences to report!

We can only hope.....

[jrws]

Thank you so much for your input.

From some old posts on this forum, as I recall, you said that if you were having your own cataracts addressed, you would use a mono-focal IOL of spheric design by Tecnis (Aspheric IOL) in acrylic or silicon.

Is this still your first choice? Would this (these) be set for distance or midrange vision?

Do you prefer the acrylic or silicon? Are both of the latter impervious to whatever drops, lotions, potions (ie,products that grow the lashes longer, eye allergy medications, eye creams, etc) we may use in or around the eye?

Even though cataract surgery is touted as being such a common, quick and "easy" procedure, it is a permanent one. We all aim to make educated decisions from the information gleaned before we let anyone touch one of our most precious senses, our eyes!

Again, thanks so very much for your thoughtful and honest opinions.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

I would feel comfortable with either silicon or acrylic. Given the choice I would probably chose the latter.

I am not typical but I would rather have excellent reading vision without glasses (someting I've had all my life) So I would go with -2.25 and -1.00

Most people would go -0.25 and -1.25

Yes all IOLs are compatible with eyelid cosmetics.

JCH MD

[jrws]

Many thanks for your input!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[kirsty1986]

Hi i have just had my natuaral lens replaced on my right eye, my lenses where displaced in both eyes. I know have very blurry vision and a massive floater, i don't know whether or not i have done the right thing or if this is normal, as i can't read anything and i never had blurry vison before. i am wearing my old glasses and have covered up my 'new eye'.
Can anyone help me?I am only 22 and wanted to improve my quality  of life.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

You need to discuss this with your surgeon and if you don't understand or feel comfortable then get a second opinion from another eye surgeon.

JCH MD

[Rita732]

Hi...I had crystalens put in both eyes after cataract removal in April.   I also have dry eyes.  I had a yag done on my right eye two weeks ago.  Yet I still cannot read a book without at least +150 glasses.  I am seeing my dr. this week.  I'd appreciate your take regarding why I cannot read close-up without glasses.  I paid an extra $4000 for the crystalens.  The lens do not meet with my satisfaction because they do not live up to their advertisement.  Am I the only one who has this type of trouble with the lens?  Any suggestions?

Thanks...
Rita

[JodieJ]

To my knowledge, no one with the Crystalens 50 (which is undoubtedly what you have) is able to read a book comfortably without glasses.  If you have good intermediate and distance vision without glare or halos, then you have had a very good outcome.

There was a new Crystalens model introduced last month which is supposed to provide better near vision.  The jury is still out as to how much better.

[Rita732]

Thank you, Jodie.  This info does not make me happy.  I was told by my surgeon and the crystalens rep that I should be able to read close-up without glasses.  This is why I paid $4000 over Medicare,  Now that I am complaining that I didn't get what I paid for, my surgeon says it's because I have dry eyes, which I had before the surgery.  She never mentioned this condition would prevent me from being able to read without glasses.  I need glasses for my middle vision also.  

My husband, who had the regular lens put in, seems to see better than I do, or at least as well as I do.  Something is not right and I intend to fight this.  My argument is that I should have been given all the facts before surgery so that I could have made an informed decision whether I wanted to pay the extra money.

[JodieJ]

I can understand your anger, and I have trouble accepting your surgeon's explanation.  Dr. Kutryb (one of the forum ophthalmologists) recently stated on another thread that his own research suggests that the Crystalens 50 provides only about .5 diopter of near vision.  This really isn't enough to make a significant difference in near/intermediate vision; you'd probably still need glasses for using the computer and reading.  Sometimes surgeons set the Crystalens for modified monovision (leaving one eye a little nearsighted) in order to improve intermediate vision.  Of course, regular IOLs can be set for modified monovision, too, with no surcharge for the patient to pay.  Check out the archives of both eye care forums for more information about other people's experience with the Crystalens.    

[Rita732]

Thanks again, Jodie.  I cannot find the archives you spoke of.  Also what is the name/numbers of the new Crystalens that came out in July?  I need all the info I can get to take to my surgeon on Thursday.  

You said : I have trouble accepting your surgeon's explanation.  Could you explain what explanation you are having a problem accepting?  

[JodieJ]

Type in "Crystalens" in the box where you see "Search Med Help"  (upper right corner of screen.)  You will pull up links to other posts about Crystalens.  The new Crystalens that came out in July is the Crystalens HD.  (See the first post on this thread.)

Your surgeon told you that you're unable to read with Crystalens because you have dry eyes.  However, I'm not aware of anyone who has good distance vision with the Crystalens 50 who doesn't need glasses for near vision (including all the people who don't have dry eyes.)  

[Rita732]

Of course you are right!  It just entered my mind that if dry eyes hindered my ability to read close-up, it would also hinder me from seeing distance clearly.  This is ammo I will take to my surgeon.  I really do have excellent distance and middle vision.  No complaints there.  I just have a problem with computer reading and certainly with newspaper and books.  However, Crystalens advertise that I will be able to read a newspaper and a telephone book without reading glasses.