Surgical Vision Correction Options
for Aging Eyes

Crystalens AO

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 excellent adjustable focus.  Unlike standard 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.

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 US 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 sear near, mid-range, and far without glasses than the earlier generation Crystalens.

For More information about the Crystalens goto www.crystalens.com.

HOW MUCH DOES THE PRESBYOPIA SURGERY WITH THE CRYSTALENS LENS COST?

Implanting the Crystalens or the Crystalens AO is a high-precision procedure requiring the skill of a highly trained ophthalmic surgeon.  The global fee for the CRYSTALENS AO replacement/cataract surgery is $4800 per eye.  This fee includes the surgeons fee, crystalens lens implant, operating room fee and follow-up exams for 3 months after your surgery.

Most private medical insurances and medicare will not cover the costs associated with surgery using the crystalens, rezoom, tecnis multifocal or restor lens.  Because use of the Crystalens is not a "medical necessity," patients receiving these adjustable focus 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 crystalens. If you have private medical insurance or medicare and have a visually significant cataract and wish to have the crystalens then your fee may be reduced to approximately $3000/eye for upgrading to one of these deluxe lens implants with your cataract surgery.

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 several no-interest payment plans.

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 is a flexible lens implant that provides and adjustable focus far and near.

In contrast, standard (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 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, Dr. Shannon Wong, Dr. Branch or Dr. 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, Dr. Branch or Dr. Odette or attend one of our monthly surgical vision correction seminars.