Crystalens®
For patients whose vision is deteriorating due to hardening of their natural lens (cataracts), a lens implant may be appropriate. The Crystalens® is an advanced focusing implantable lens that can help you see more clearly far away, at arms length and up close without glasses or contact lenses.
In U.S. Food and Drug Administration studies, 98 percent of patients who received Crystalens® implants in both eyes had vision that allowed them to read Wall Street Journal-size print and to drive legally without glasses.
About Crystalens®
The Crystalens® is an artificial lens that is designed to replace the aging natural lens. Like the young natural lens, the Crystalens® uses the eye's muscles to change shape, which allows a person to see clearly at both distance and near without the use of glasses or contact lenses. Unlike the natural lens, the Crystalens® is designed to remain flexible permanently, which should allow good distance and near vision over a lifetime.
How Crystalens® Works
Crystalens® was modeled after the human eye. Like the natural lens, it uses the eye's muscle to change the shape of the lens in order to focus on objects at all distances. It dynamically adjusts to your visual needs.
The Procedure
The procedure for the implantation of the Crystalens® goes as follows:
- Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye for comfort.
- Cataract surgery is performed though a small-incision, clear-corneal technique using topical anesthesia.
- The Crystalens® is implanted. Crystalens® can be implanted quickly and without sensation.
- The recovery period is usually short. Most patients are able to pursue normal activities almost immediately after surgery.
- Discuss with your doctor what to expect before, during and after the procedure, as well as necessary eye drops and postoperative office visits.
- Most patients who have the Crystalens® notice an immediate improvement in the clarity of their vision and see further improvements over time.
Are You a Candidate?
Your doctor will perform a thorough exam to determine if Crystalens® is right for you. You may be a candidate if your eyes are healthy and you have decreased vision secondary to a cataract.
People with chronic infections, uncontrolled diabetes or other health problems may have to wait until these conditions are under control before pursuing this surgery.