Crytalens
The Crystalens (by Bausch and Lomb) is an FDA-approved intraocular lens that uses a variety of unique mechanisms to provide a greatly expanded range of vision following cataract surgery.
The lens is also thought to flex and/or bulge with focusing, a behavior called accommodative arching that is seen in the natural lens.
The lens is modeled on the human eye and is unique in it's ability to provide focusing throughout a continuous range of vision without the use of multifocal optics. These lenses are designed to accommodate, or change shape, with contraction of the eye's focusing muscles.
The Crystalens has evolved and improved and is now available in 3rd and 4th generation versions, the Crystalens Five-0 and Crystalens HD, which has additional features designed to enhance near vision.
Results
Although it's not uncommon for our patients to wear glasses on some occasions for certain tasks the following information shows what many patients were able to see with Crytalens:
- 98.4% of patients implanted with Crystalens® in both eyes could pass a driver's test without glasses.
- 100% could see intermediate (24" to 30") without glasses, the distance for most of life's activities.
- 98.4% could see well enough to read the newspaper and the phone book without glasses.
- Signicantly more patients implanted with a Crystalens®(88.4%) could see better at all distances than patients implanted with a standard IOL (35.9%).
This lens works well for many individuals, but is not for everyone. Significant astigmatism or a variety of other eye conditions may limit it's optimal functioning. This lens requires more measurements, skill and services than standard implants and they are more expensive. The additional costs are usually not covered by insurance.
Advantages
- Reduced need for glasses for many tasks
- Reading usually possible without glasses
- Generally increased satisfaction with overall vision reported by most patients
Limitations
- Do not function as well if significant astigmatism is present
- Some glasses usage may still be needed
- Require more exact refractive surgical endpoints than standard monofocal lenses
- May require subsequent surgical "enhancement" or "fine-tuning" to refine results
- More examination and follow-up needed
- Additional Cost