Crystalens Eye Surgery is used to treat cataracts and presbyopia in aging patients.
Crystalens is a relatively new eye surgery intended to treat cataracts and restore a full range of vision in the patient by treating presbyopia (a loss of near vision). Unlike other laser eye surgeries, it does not require or rely on laser ablation, where parts of the cornea or lens are destroyed in an effort to reshape the eye and refocus light as it enters. Instead, it relies on a complete removal of the lens and insertion of a Crystalens replacement.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common and natural result of aging, often starting to form in patients in their mid-40s, manifesting early on as gradually worsening near vision. As a person ages, the clear lenses in her eyes start to cloud, and the sufferer experiences cloudiness in the vision, as though she is looking through frosted glass. There are numerous procedures used to counter the negative blinding effects of cataracts, with Crystalens being a relatively new and very effective procedure that both repairs cataracts and restores the patients field of vision.
Patient Eligibility
Anyone who has developed cataracts and/or presbyopia (loss of near vision) due to aging is a candidate for the Crystalens procedure. Cataract removal surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, performed daily across the nation. Most insurance plans cover the cost of traditional cataract surgery, but there may be additional costs for the Crystalens implant, as it is more expensive than a traditional lens implant.
Crystalens vs. Typical Cataract Surgery
In typical cataract surgery, the surgeon will remove the cloudy lens in the eye that has formed the cataract, and replace it with a synthetic intraocular lens, thereby removing the cataract. However, if the patient is suffering from age-induced presbyopia, a typical intraocular lens implant will not improve near vision. Crystalens is a type of intraocular lens that can flex as you focus your vision, allowing for the treatment of not only cataracts, but for presbyopia, as well.
Surgical Procedure
The Crystalens surgical procedure is similar to a typical cataract removal procedure. The eye is first numbed so as to reduce discomfort. A small incision is made in the cornea, and the lens is washed away, usually by emulsifying it with ultrasound waves and suctioning out the resulting mass. Once the deteriorating lens is removed, a Crystalens intraocular implant is placed in its place, and the patient is free to leave. It is typically an outpatient procedure and takes less than an hour.
Followup and Prognosis
Recovery is generally swift after surgery. The patient will usually return to the doctor the following day to ensure proper seating of the lenses in the eye and to apply any necessary antibiotic drops, as well as for the doctor to inform the patient what he can and cannot do, as well as the limits of the surgery. As it is a surgical procedure, there is always a risk of complications, including infection and possibly glare or visual disturbances. Because of the nature of the lens implant, there is usually increased UV light sensitivity, so wearing sunglasses while outside is recommended.
Tags: near vision, cataracts presbyopia, intraocular lens, lens implant, cornea lens
