Crystalens Intraocular Lens Implant

Increased Freedom from Glasses After Cataract Surgery

Cataract

As we get older the clear lens of our eye becomes cloudy and our vision decreases. This cloudy lens is what we call a cataract. If the decrease in vision is significant enough to limit our activities of daily living, the cataract an be surgically removed. Therefore with cataract surgery, the lens of the eye is removed.

After the cataract is removed, a new artificial lens is implanted at the time of surgery to help the eye focus light. This implant is called an intraocular lens, or IOL. Standard intraocular lenses focus at one distance, thus they are called monofocal lenses.

Typically, the patient's focus is aimed for the distance and reading glasses are needed for near work. Most patients that have standard monofocal intraocular lenses still need glasses (90% need reading glasses at least some of the time).

Crystalens

The Crystalens is the first FDA-approved lens that can accommodate, or change focus by flexing within the eye. It uses the eye’s focusing muscle to change focus thus mimicking the natural lens of the eye in how it changes focus. The Crystalens has a clear central lens called an optic that is supported by two broad arms called haptics. The haptics are hinged at their junction with the optic to facilitate the change in the optic’s position as the eye’s focusing muscles contract. As the eye attempts to focus closer, the Crystalens optic moves forward and the eye is thus focused closer. The eye can adjust how much focusing power is added, hence the Crystalens has a dynamic focusing power that the individual controls. The Crystalens is thus called an accommodating lens.

The Crystalens  has a single point of focus, but this point of focus is able to change, to “accommodate” from distance vision to intermediate vision and further to provide near vision. This mechanism for focusing differs from the other Deluxe intraocular lenses (ReZoom and ReSTOR) that split the light to provide distant, intermediate and near vision to the retina all at the same time. Thus Crystalens may have a theoretic advantage in clarity over other Deluxe IOLs as it does not split the light and you get the full amount of available image from your visual target. Yet, all of the Deluxe implants are capable of providing 20/20 vision (but there is certainly no way to guarantee surgical results for individuals). Although all implants, even mono-focal implants, can cause some glare and halos, the Crystalens, with its clear optic, may be less likely to cause glare, halos, poor night vision or waxy vision compared to the other current multifocal Deluxe IOL options (ReZoom and ReSTOR). This is primarily because the Crystalens does not split light and it has a clear optic similar to a monofocal implant.

Crystalens IOLs provide functional vision without glasses for most activities. Glasses may still be needed for demanding tasks such as fine print or night driving. No one can guarantee complete freedom from glasses, even with a Crystalens or any of the other Deluxe IOLs. The goal of having a Deluxe IOL is to be less dependent on glasses so as to be able to do most of your tasks without them. Deluxe IOLs do not necessarily provide perfect vision but they do provide a wider range of focus compared to the more standard single-focus IOL implants.

Crystalens results will vary and not all people will see 20/20 at all distances. The Crystalens IOL seems to work best if  both eyes have a Crystalens implants. The clinical trials that supported the FDA approval of Crystalens indicated that 98% of the people enrolled in the study (Crystalens IOLs implanted in both eyes) could see 20/40 or better at distance, 100% of these patients could see 20/32 at arm's length and 93% could see 20/32 (J2) or better at near without glasses or contact lenses. This FDA study results indicate that 98% of these people could pass their driver's test, 100% could see their computer and dashboard, read the prices in the supermarket or put on their makeup, and 98% could read the telephone book or newspaper, all without glasses or contact lenses. These results are from the FDA study and not a guarantee of surgical outcomes. Many patients implanted with the Crystalens still require glasses for challenging visual tasks such as reading fine print or night driving. It is important to keep in mind that vision is subjective. An individual’s perception of vision also depends on his/her ocular health and individual needs or lifestyle preferences. Your surgeon can help decide if the Crystalens is right for you.

In summary, the accommodating Crystalens IOL can provide a wider range of vision than a standard single-vision implant. Thus, patients that choose Crystalens should experience greater freedom from glasses than those who chose a traditional single vision implant.  However, no implant provides perfect vision in all situations. Crystalens patients will still need wear glasses periodically for refinement of their vision, particularly for demanding visual tasks. All of the Deluxe, presbyopia-correcting IOLs work differently and have their own specific benefits and side effects. Your surgeon will help determine if you are a candidate for a Deluxe IOL and which of the presbyopia-correcting IOLs may be best for your individual needs.

The Eye MDs

The Crystalens Deluxe IOL is now available for patients at The Eye MDs. They perform cataract surgery at the Physicians Outpatient Surgery Center in Belpre, Ohio. If you or someone you know have cataracts, call our doctors for a consultation: 1-800-758-3937.