Crystalens HD recovery time

[silicone_eye]

This is more a qualitative question to those that have had the lens implanted than a medical question. I had the HD lens implanted two and a half months ago and my distance vision is waxy.  I measured 20/20 on that so accurate Snellen chart (how many fingers do you see? ...3.. ok your good).  At night, well lets just say thank God it is my non-dominant eye or I would be Mr. Magoo on steroids.

I hope I can throw all the blame on the whipping boy called PCO.  If not, I guess I'm up the creek without a paddle.  My doc wants to do the Yag ...if nothing else as a method to allow the lens to flex and groan under my ciliary muscles gallant attempts to reach clarity.  

The Yag will be done at 3.5 months.  Can anyone tell me if they had the waxy vision and how long it took to see it disappear and did the Yag really clear that up?  If this wax clears up, I would be a happy camper but the jury is still out on this one.

Thanks

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

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[knoxvillegal]

I had my Crystallens implanted one month ago in my right eye. I have perfect distance vision in the morning, but it definitely wans as the day goes along to VERY fuzzy. I work hard to exercise those eye muscles and practice the distance focusing, but it's very frustrating and disappointing. I'm hopeful with these comments that it will improve as I really do LOVE the near and intermediate 20/20 sight, and the beautiful colors I see now. I'm very thankful my left eye has decent distance vision, and am going to postpone my other cataract surgery in three weeks until this eye improves.

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

No eye drop reaction would last that long because all the drops would be metabolized and out of the system in hours to days at the most.

I am not aware of any eyedrop used to test for diabetes unless you mean dilation drops used to determine if diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) is present.  A person may have severe diabetes without any disease in the eye from diabetes.

JC MD

[podww]

Most of the comments above talk about an allergic reaction such as dizziness, nausea, fainting etc.    However I wonder if I have had an allergic reaction because the blurriness that the eye drops caused not gone away.   It is now 2 months later and my eyes are still blurred and I can't read things that I used to be able to 2 months ago e.g. emails/texts on my phone.    Has anyone heard of this kind of reaction to eyedrops used to test for diabetes?

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

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[simsum]

hi, I just had a Crystalens put in this week and so far I am not happy with the result.  I have the same waxy vision you mentioned and I'm upset because my doctor said i would be able to see well right away.  Your story gives me hope, so i will be more patient, but i'm wondering how your vision is now after almost 4 years.  thanks!

[eyesonyou]

Thank you for the information.  Most helpful.

Almost 2 weeks ago, I had the cataract surgery on my left eye and got a Crystalens HD
implant.  But previous to the surgery, I had an epiretinal membrane diagnosed in that eye.  So.....  I will be going back to the retina specialist in 3 weeks, who will determine if an ERM peel needs to be done in that eye.

When I first saw my retina specialist, and I remarked that I thought both cataracts needed to be extracted 2 weeks apart for the best results, he told me not to worry about that just yet.  That I should just wait longer and see how I do.  Obviously, I've got another concern with my left eye, but he reassured me that it won't hurt a bit if the cataracts aren't removed on a standard schedule. My remaining cataract is much smaller than the one in the left eye.   I really liked the retina surgeon, and had the impression that he wouldn't hesitate to assert his opinion, even if it differed somewhat from my cataract surgeon, with whom he has a close association!

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

Thanks for the information
JCHMD

[silicone_eye]

I just wanted to follow up for those that might have read my experience and got worried.

I had a dramatic shift in vision in a positive way.  Night vision has improved (no more waxy vision) and I am probably J3 and 20/35.  And this happened all the sudden around the third month.  I still have not had the Yag but will in a month so I would expect (hope) a slight improvement from here).

I would like to say to folks seeking the CL HD.  DO NOT...I repeat...DO NOT get both eyes done two weeks apart like some docs recommend.  The CL HD takes a long time to heal and settle in.  This is a lens that requires much, much, much patience but it seems worth it.  I don't have presbyopia any more....thank God.  Boy did I feal like a geezer at age 44.

I am already seeing better than the cataract eye did both near and far.  With this silicone lens and the other natural lens, my vision is pretty good sans the Yag.

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

You can use the archives and search feature to pull up discussions on the Crystalens HD.

CJHMD

[silicone_eye]

Thanks for your reply.
I guess I should be a bit more specific. I only see waxy-ish vision at night and at a distance.  intermediate and near vision seem good but it does seem as if there might be a small film in my field of view.  I can see 20/20 for both my computer and t.v but I hit J5 and maybe 20/30.  These values change from day to day.  One day it seems I can hit 20/20 and maybe J6 and then J4 but 20/60.  I am all over the map.

My surgeon said research in Florida shows that, PCO or not, fibrosis will eventually cause the CL to loose accommodative ability.  I talked to another doc and he said the lens needs the Yag to settle.  

Since this is the final step, I was just wondering if other CL patients experience this lack of "crystal" vision...especially at night and if the Yag improved it.
Thanks

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

Waxy vision is not common with Crystalens HD. Get a second opinion about PCO and need for yag. If the consult also feels yag cap would be helpful go for it
JCHMD