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Crystalens accommodation period- exercises, tips, etc?

I'm a 24 year old male with steroid induced cataracts developing quickly in both eyes. I have followed this forum extensively for the past three or so months, and learned a great deal about lens replacement, terminology, and the varying IOL's that are available from posts made by Dr. Hagan, Dr. Oyakawa, JodieJ, and the community at large. I am very grateful for all the information this forum has provided. Because of this site, I feel like I am well-educated about the various IOLs' strengths and weaknesses which, prior to visiting this forum, I did not even know existed.

I will be having a Crystalens HD installed in my right (OD) eye by an ophthalmologist with tremendous CL experience in about a week. This will likely be followed by a second Crystalens installation in my left eye about six weeks afterward, possibly below plano (depending on the resulting near vision in my right eye).

I would like to know what I can do to help myself during the accommodation period. I want to be sure that I accommodate as well as I possibly can. I've seen posters mention that they've used exercises and tricks intended to help them accommodate and to strengthen the muscles used to manipulate the Crystalens. Could anybody, doctors or patients, please suggest any tips or tricks to help with accommodation? Thanks so much.

-Brian
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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Avatar universal
Based on my experience with HD procedures done one week apart:

1. It makes a big difference whether you end up with stitches or not (I did on one eye, not on the other, and the stitched eye is taking weeks longer to achieve what will be my final quality of distance vision). The stitches make certain kinds of accommodation uncomfortable, as well as directly affecting the shape of the eye (apparently).

2. Different doctors use different dilation/paralyzing drops, so ask your doctor when your eye will fully functional (from a physical standpoint). Make sure you know whether or not it is safe to (try to) focus up close right away or not.

3. Many folks (especially CL 5.0, not HD) have no trouble with distance but have to practice near. Like some other HD folks, I had no trouble with near vision, but am still practicing distance.

4. After each eye is functional, the best thing you can do is practice. I am also still training my two eyes how to work together. For quite a while, each eye alone could see better than the two together.

I hope you have two very successful procedures!
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Brian this information should come from your surgeon.

Good luck

JCH MD
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