Crystalens AO – Austin Eye

The FDA-approved Crystalens is the first and only accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) replacement for cataracts that focuses like the eye’s natural lens, allowing for continuous vision far and near without glasses. It is an intraocular lens replacement for the natural lens or cataracts that accommodates like the eye’s natural lens, allowing for excellent adjustable focus. Unlike basic fixed-focus intraocular lens (IOLs) implants, the Crystalens restores vision at all distances and in most cases reduces or eliminates the need for glasses and contacts for everyday tasks.

As leaders in eye care, the highly skilled and experienced surgeons at Austin Eye utilize the most advanced techniques and technologies. To provide the best vision correction results, they offer the Crystalens to their Austin cataracts patients.

HOW DOES THE CRYSTALENS WORK?

The Crystalens is implanted into the eye in a procedure identical to cataract surgery. The natural aging/dysfunctional lens of the eye is removed and the Crystalens is implanted into the natural structure that supports the natural lens inside the eye. By using the eye’s muscle to move the lens backwards and forwards naturally in response to the brain’s desire to see at different distances, Crystalens enables the eye to focus continuously and seamlessly through a range of distances. This outpatient procedure is painless, done with eyedrop anesthetic at our surgical center on Jollyville Road. Recovery of functional vision is within hours and return to a normal schedule is achieved within one day. Currently, cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed in the U.S. with approximately 3 million procedures performed annually in the United States.

HOW WELL DOES THE CRYSTALENS AO WORK?

The Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) was first approved by the FDA in November 2003. The Crystalens AO is the fifth-generation of the only FDA-approved accommodating lens.

Since 2004, we have used the Crystalens in hundreds of patients. The Crystalens excels in providing excellent clarity without glasses for far-away and mid-range vision. Approximately 50% of patients with the Crystalens in both eyes will be able to achieve spectacle independence at all distances. The Crystalens provides optimal night vision that will surpass the night vision of the multifocal lens implants. We advise all our Crystalens patients that they may need weak over-the-counter reading glasses (+1.25 or +1.50) at times to read very small print comfortably. In essence, the Crystalens gives the vision of a person in their mid 40′s.

The bottom line is that the Crystalens AO provides better near vision than the earlier generations of Crystalens IOLs. Patients who choose the Crystalens AO will have a greater likelihood of being able to see near, mid-range, and far without glasses than the earlier generation Crystalens.

For more information about the Crystalens go to www.crystalens.com.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CRYSTALENS ACCOMMODATING LENS AND A BASIC INTRAOCULAR LENS (IOL)?

The Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens is a flexible lens implant that provides and adjustable focus far and near.

In contrast, basic (single vision, fixed focus) lens implants provide vision at a fixed distance and do not have the ability to provide a variable or adjustable focus. Approximately 50% of patients with Crystalens implants in both eyes are glasses-free at all distances. Those who rely on glasses usually only require +1.25 over-the-counter reading glasses to see small-print up-close from time to time. The strength of the Crystalens is excellent far and mid-range (computer vision) without reliance on glasses.

Most people with fixed-focus implants must wear glasses for near vision and will likely use bifocals to see near and far after surgery. Approximately 95% of people with old-style fixed-focus lens implants rely on glasses to read (usually +2.50 readers) or use bifocals to adjust focus from far to near.

Though no lens implant can (yet) restore the vision of a perfect-sighted 21 year old or guarantee no glasses are worn for all situations, the Crystalens can enable individuals to see excellent near and far with greatly reduced dependence on glasses.

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR THE CRYSTALENS IOL?

The Crystalens is ideally suited for men and women who have presbyopia and/or cataracts who want to restore their near, intermediate and distance vision. People who use the computer several hours each day will benefit from the excellent mid-range vision that the Crystalens provides. Also individuals with more extreme levels of nearsightedness or farsightedness may be better candidates for lens replacement surgery with the Crystalens than laser vision correction.

Over-the-counter reading glasses (between +1.00 and +1.50) may be needed to read fine-print up-close for some individuals who receive the Crystalens.

IF I’VE HAD LASIK OR iLASIK AM I STILL A CANDIDATE FOR CRYSTALENS?

Yes. People who have had prior corneal surgery are acceptable candidate for Crystalens implantation as long as their eye is in good health. Consult with your ophthalmologist to understand the issues associated with use of the Crystalens after prior laser vision correction.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LENS REPLACEMENT SURGERY WITH THE CRYSTALENS?

Lens replacement surgery is identical to cataract surgery and results in safe and successful outcomes in approximately 98–99% of eyes treated. Like any surgical procedure, there are risks. During your visit with Austin Crystalens providers and cataract surgeons Dr. Mitchel Wong, Dr. Shannon Wong or Dr. John Odette the risks, benefits and surgical alternatives will be discussed with you. Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgical procedures performed in the US today, with 3 million procedures performed annually.

Additionally, individuals who are planning to receive a Crystalens may need additional surgery to “fine-tune” their vision. These procedures may be done before, during or after the Crystalens is inserted. In rare instances a monofocal or multifocal lens implant may be used during surgery rather than the Crystalens.

For more information about Surgical Vision Correction with the Crystalens, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Mitchel Wong, Dr. Shannon Wong or Dr. John Odette.