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, FAAO]

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

[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.

[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.

[2ndsight]

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

[2ndsight]

so far the outcome sounds similar to the earlier Crystalens models, like the AT-52 which I have. The glare you describe is (I think) a kind of reflection on the lens and some people say it comes from the Crystalens being slightly smaller (5mm) than some other IOLs. I have gotten used to this (4 months post-op) and hardly notice it now. Your night vision should improve over the next couple of weeks. Let us know if your close-up vision improves - that is what the HD is supposed to be all about.

[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.)  

[JodieJ]

A contact lens (like 1-day Acuvue moist) or LASIK should give you good distance vision once your eye has healed.  

[2ndsight]

regarding what you call lens glare, yes, I would describe it as reflection, when a light source (usually from the side or overhead) hits the lens. Other Crystalens patients have described this. It was very noticeable for me at night, when driving beneath street lamps, or when light was coming in a window from the side. It is 4 1/2 months since my surgery and I hardly notice this anymore.

[JodieJ]

Dand1, where can we access the article you are referring to?  Are you saying that the Crystalens doesn't work well for older people with presbyopia?  They are the primary potential patient group for the Crystalens, and all of the advertising seems to be targeted to them (e.g., "See young, be young" ads with attractive, in-shape seniors.)   Not too many people under 40 need cataract surgery.

Rita, one of my mother's friends (age 80) has full monovision with monofocal IOLs.  She previously used monovision contacts for many years.  She never wears glasses; she's able to drive at night, use her computer, and read the newspaper and books without correction.  But not everyone can adjust to full monovision.  Most people who have never tried it are probably better off with modified monovision (and using weak readers for small print.)

[2ndsight]

I cannot read the small print very well at all but I can read the larger headlines, ads, etc. I only need 1.25 readers though. I had 1.00 diopter of astigmatism before surgery, and afterwards, with the Crystalens, the astigmatism seemed a lot more noticeable. So some of my reading vision is affected by that, the small typeface looks like it has a jagged edge. I can actually see and read the computer screen without glasses but it is more comfortable with them. Like you I only had one eye done (so far.) My left eye has a contact lens, and I see 20/20 with that. My reading vision is actually better with that eye.

[dand1]

I had monovision. I could read in my right eye and could see far in my left eye although neither was 20/20. The halos lasted only the first day. My doctor said it was because of the surgery. I do see glare from lights at night when outside or driving. It happens when the light comes from the side or overhead. I'm hoping this will subside as my eye heals from the surgery. I do have one stitch that will be removed next week. The doctor said my vision would get better and then worse the first week before getting better. I do see far and mid range and have since the next day. It's the close up that should improve over time. I can not see my computer screen sharply yet witch he told me I would be able to do without glasses. I wish I had opted to back off the distance to give me closer reading ability and left the left eye for distance. That would eliminate the need for glasses. The doctor did say if I wasn't happy with the outcome he could tweak it. What that means and by how much I don't know. I'll find out next week.

[dand1]

I just had the crystalens hd put in today. Right now I see halos around the tv screen and the lamp shade. The doctor said my vision would be blurry at first that is to be expected. I opted not back off the my distance vision .5 to .75 diopter for reading like was discussed with my surgeon if I had gone with the crystalens-50. The hd is supposed to give more reading ability without comprimising distance. I will post later as to my progress. I just hope I made the right decision going with the crystalens.  

[JodieJ]

No cataract surgeon can ever guarantee results.  You have had a good outcome with the Crystalens 50--crisp distance vision and good near/computer vision with glasses.  In your place, I would absolutely not assume the risks involved in explanting the Crystalens 50's and replacing them with the HDs.  (You might end up much worse off than where you are now.)  Please let me know the outcome of your appointment Thursday.  Best wishes.

[Rita732]

First good news...I do not have problems with glare or halos. I do not have astigmatism.  Middle distance is good but not when it comes to reading small print.  Not sure about nearsightedness or farsightedness but will find out.  Bad news...you just confirmed what I've believed all along, which is, that I could have had the same result with the no-additional-fee monofocal lenses.  Now I have to see what can be done regarding the $4000 fee I paid.  My only defense is that I did not get what I paid for or promised by Crystalens company - the ability to read a newspaper or telephone book without glasses.  

I can almost bet that if I make enough "noise" I will be offered the new generation of Crystalens HD that came out in July.  You can be sure that I will let my surgeon know about them.  I will give them a try if offered, but not before I get something in writing regarding what will happen if they are not successful.  

I know it probably seems strange trying to get money back for an operation, but I'm hoping in this case things turn out to my benefit.  I'll keep you informed.

Thank you so much for helping me understand what is going on.  You've given me a lot of info that I can take with me Thursday when I make my case.  Keep your fingers crossed.  I can only hope my comments and your replies have helped someone else not make the same mistake as I did.  I should have done much more research beforehand.

[JodieJ]

I have good news and bad news for you.  First, the good news.  If you read through other posts about Crystalens, you'll discover that some people have terrible problems with glare and halos.  They are not able to see well at any distance, especially at night and in certain lighting situations.  By contrast, your outcome with the Crystalens is very good.

Now the bad news.  If you need glasses when using the computer, you do NOT have good intermediate vision.  Rather, you have about the same intermediate (computer) vision you would have gotten with no-additional-fee monofocal lenses.

It's possible that your vision with Crystalens is somewhat impaired by astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness.  Ask your surgeon if this is the case.

[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.  My surgeon did not tell me differently.  I must say in her defense that I was only the second person she had implanted with the Crystalens.  She would not do the procedure before because of the bad rep the older generation of Crystalens had.  But she is wrong to say that it's my fault (dry eyes) that the procedure isn't working.  We will see what happens when I see her this Thursday.  Obviously she needs to stop listening to the Crystalens tech.

You have been of great help to me.  Thank you so much.  

[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]

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.

[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

[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.

[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.....

[skibug5]

A related discussion, Crystalens not what they said was started.

[sossells]

A related discussion, cruystalens problems? was started.

[TW101]

A related discussion, Crystalens Hd was started.