Surgical Vision Correction Options
for Aging Eyes
The Crystalens & Crystalens HD
The FDA-approved Crystalens is the first and only intraocular lens (IOL) replacement for cataracts that focuses like the eye’s natural lens, allowing for continuous vision up close, far away and all distances in between without glasses. It is an intraocular lens replacement for the natural lens or cataracts that accommodates like the eye’s natural lens, allowing for seamless focusing up close, far away and at all distances in between, giving patients their best possible vision seamlessly. Unlike standard fixed-focus intraocular lens (IOLs) implants, the Crystalens restores vision at all distances and in most cases eliminates the need for glasses and contacts for everyday tasks. The ability to focus at all distances is a singular advantage over all current cataract procedures.
HOW DOES THE CRYSTALENS WORK?
The Crystalens is implanted into the eye in a procedure identical to cataract surgery. The natural 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, including near, far and everything in between. Patients experience the same vision they had when they were younger, for most without the inconvenience of corrective lenses. This outpatient procedure is painless, done with eyedrop anesthetic, and is done in our surgical center on Jollyville Road. Currently, cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed in the US with more than 2.7 million procedures performed annually.
HOW WELL DOES THE CRYSTALENS WORK?
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 restor and/or rezoom lenses. 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.
FDA Clinical Study Visual Outcomes with the Crystalens (one year after surgery) showed:
- 97.6% of bilaterally treated patients saw 20/30 or better for distance (far) vision without glasses.
- 98.4% of bilaterally treated patients can read the newspaper size print, including print the size of the stock quotes of the Wall Street Journal without glasses.
- 100% could see intermediate (24-30”) without glasses (eg computer, dashboard, store labels).
- 73.5% reported that they wore glasses never or almost never for far and/or near vision.
- 92% of bilaterally treated patients saw 20/25 or better for distance (far) vision without glasses.
For More information about the Crystalens goto www.crystalens.com.
HOW WELL DOES THE NEW AND IMPROVED CRYSTALENS HD WORK?
The Crystalens HD received FDA approval on June 30, 2008. Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) was first approved by the FDA in November 2003. The Crystalens HD is the fourth generation of the only FDA approved accommodating lens.
The surface of the Crystalens HD has been shaped to enhance the depth of focus with a proprietary optical modification. The enhanced optic provides an increased depth of focus which is designed to improve near vision without compromising intermediate or distance vision. The HD lens does this without inducing increased undesirable dysphotopsia or night vision symptoms.
A total of 125 primary eyes were implanted with the Crystalens HD in patients who had a visually significant cataract, less than 1 diopter of corneal astigmatism, and the potential for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/25 or better in both eyes. Of these patients, 80% reported vision at J2 or better at four (4) months.
“Extensive market research has clearly indicated that patients and surgeons alike are asking for a truly accommodating IOL as their choice of lens. With these results, where patients reported getting one more line of near vision, we are coming ever closer to meeting the desired need for an optic that does provide truly good near vision without compromising the quality of vision at intermediate or distance,” said Michael Judy, Chief Marketing Officer at Bausch & Lomb Surgical.
The bottom line is that the Crystalens HD provides all the positives of the existing Crystalens but provides better near vision than the earlier generation Crystalens. Patients who choose the Crystalens HD will be able to have a greater likelihood of being able to sear near, mid-range, and far without glasses than the earlier generation Crystalens. In essence the Crystalens HD gives the vision of a person in their late 30’s or early 40’s.
HOW MUCH DOES THE PRESBYOPIA SURGERY WITH THE CRYSTALENS LENS COST?
Implanting the Crystalens or the Crystalens HD is a high-precision procedure requiring the skill of a highly trained ophthalmic surgeon. The global fee for the Crystalens replacement/cataract surgery is $4600 per eye. The new and improved Crystalens HD is $4950 per eye. This fee includes the surgeons fee, crystalens lens implant, and follow-up visits.
Most private medical insurances and medicare will not cover the costs associated with surgery using the crystalens, rezoom or restor lens. Because use of the crystalens, rezoom and restor lenses is not a "medical necessity," patients receiving these deluxe lens implants will be responsible for payment of the surgery, lens implant and surgery center charges. However, in some instances for patients with visually significant cataracts, your private medical insurance and/or medicare may pay for cataract surgery but not the costs associated with the upgrade to the restor or crystalens. If you have private medical insurance or medicare and have a visually significant cataract and wish to have the crystalens or restor, then your fee may be reduced to approximately $2850/eye for upgrading to one of these deluxe lens implants with your cataract surgery. Those patients who choose the Crystalens HD as a cataract surgery upgrade will be charged $3200/eye.
Two monthly payment programs - Care Credit and Bank of America Visa Platinum - are available to make the surgery more affordable. There is no prepayment for financing. To apply for financing from Care Credit, you may call CareCredit at 1-800-300-3046 or apply online at www.carecredit.com. We offer a 3 month no-interest, and extended payment plans of 2, 3, 4 and 5 years.
Bank of America Visa Platinum Credit Card offers 0% fixed introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases and balance transfers (not cash advances) for 6 months. Click here apply for the Bank of America Visa Platinum Credit Card
Cost is an important consideration, but surgeon experience with lens replacement surgery, personalized attention from the surgeon before and after your procedure, and the technology used are the most important factors in determining how well you see after surgery.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CRYSTALENS ACCOMMODATING LENS AND A STANDARD INTRAOCULAR LENS (IOL)?
The Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens allows for continuous vision up close, far away and at all distances in between, in most cases with patients experiencing the same vision they had when they were younger, without the inconvenience of corrective lenses.
In contrast, standard (single vision, fixed focus) lens implants provide vision at a fixed distance and do not have the ability to provide a full range of near, intermediate and far vision. Most people with single vision implants must wear glasses for near vision and may need to wear glasses for intermediate/arm’s length vision as well.
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. 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 INTRALASIK CAN I STILL BE 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 Dr. Mitchel Wong or Dr. Shannon Wong, 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 2.7 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 free consultation with Dr. Mitchel Wong or Dr. Shannon Wong or attend one of our monthly surgical vision correction seminars.