Crystalens to Treat Presbyopia

Presbyopia patients enjoy new freedom with the crystalens implant.

The crystalens is an intraocular lens that allows presbyopia patients regain seamless vision near to far and everything in between.

Presbyopia is the inability to focus on near objects that requires you to wear reading glasses or bifocals. Presbyopia commonly occurs after age 40, when the lens of the eye becomes more rigid and does not flex as easily. Some signs of presbyopia include the tendency to hold reading materials at arm's length, blurred vision at normal reading distance, and eye fatigue along with headaches when doing close work. On November 14, 2003, the crystalens® implant was approved by the FDA for the treatment of blurred vision patients over 40. The crystalens implant acts like the eyes’ natural lens, allowing for seamless focusing and clear vision at any distance. Now presbyopia patients can sit at a computer, read a magazine, drive or play sports without glasses or corrective lenses.

After many years of research and development, the crystalens intraocular lens (IOL) replacement is being welcomed as a significant technological breakthrough. Unlike previous IOLs which only correct distance vision and require patients to wear glasses for near and middle vision, the crystalens allows patients to focus seamlessly for all distances.

What to Expect on Surgery Day
You will arrive at the surgery center about an hour before the procedure. Topical drops will be placed in your eye and oral medications may be administered to help you relax. A microscope will be positioned over your eye and you will be asked to look up into the light of the microscope. The actual surgery usually takes less than 20 minutes. You will feel only slight pressure on your eye. Once the surgery is complete, you may be given eye drops and in some cases a protective patch. Your doctor will see you the day after surgery to remove the eye patch and examine your eye.

Your Results
Your distance vision will usually be very good within a day or two after surgery. However, your middle and near vision may be somewhat blurred for the first few days. It may take several weeks for your eyes to reach their full focusing potential. The more you try to read without reading glasses, the quicker you will be able to read without them. In addition, the quality of vision compared to wearing bifocals and/or trifocals is significantly improved. You simply look at something and the crystalens, mimicking the natural focusing ability of your eye, will automatically focus your eye within arm’s length, or at a distance.

Crystalens Questions & Answers

What is the crystalens implant?
The crystalens is a new technology that is designed to mimic the eye’s natural ability to focus on distant, middle and near objects. Used in conjunction with standard cataract extraction methods, the crystalens can restore a full range of functional vision, from distance to reading vision without total dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

What makes the crystalens different from other intraocular lenses?
The crystalens has the unique ability to focus on objects at varying distances using the eye’s natural muscle. This means that the crystalens can provide sharper vision, without corrective lenses, throughout a full range of vision from near to far and everything in between. Standard (single vision) lens implants do not have the ability to provide a full range of vision. Most people who have single vision lens implants MUST wear glasses for middle and near vision.

Can my vision be corrected to 20/20, for both reading & distance?
The crystalens implant has been designed to focus your eyes at all distances after Presbyopia surgery. While virtually everyone will experience a significant improvement in their uncorrected vision after surgery, some people will not see 20/20 at all distances.

Crystalens automatically moves forwards and backwards with the ciliary muscle to help Presbyopia patients focus naturally at all distances.
98 percent of crystalens patients surveyed could see 20/40 and could read small type without glasses.

For more information about CRYSTALENS, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon like those found at Griffin and Reed Eyecare in Sacramento, California.
This article about the crystalens has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.