What is the crystalens®?
The crystalens® is an FDA-approved intraocular lens for the visual correction of adults with cataracts (clouded lenses) with or without presbyopia, or lenses that have aged or become more rigid.
The crystalens® was modeled after the human eye. Like the natural lens, it uses the eye muscle to flex and accommodate in order to focus on objects in the environment at all distances. The crystalens® dynamically adjusts to your visual needs.
The crystalens® accommodating intraocular lens is made with hinges on each side that are designed to allow the optic, or the part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as you constantly change focus on images around you. The crystalens is a small lens enabling it to flex or bend as you focus your vision.
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crystalens® is:
- The first and only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens
- The only lens that uses the natural focusing ability of the eye
- The only lens that provides a single focal point throughout a continuous range of vision from far to near, and everything in between
Few patients with crystalens® have experienced glare, halos and night vision problems. Crystalens® focuses only one image to the back of the eye, unlike a multifocal lens that projects multiple images that are not entirely in focus, requiring your brain to "adjust" to the differences. In addition, crystalens® vision is sharp and crisp because 100% of the light rays are available and distributed—when you need it.
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The effectiveness of the crystalens® was proven in clinical trials:
- 98.4% of patients implanted with crystalens® in both eyes could pass a driver's test without glasses
- 100% could see intermediate (24" to 30") without glasses, the distance for most of life's activities
- 98.4% could see well enough to read the newspaper and the phone book without glasses
- 74% of patients never or almost never wore eyeglasses
Significantly more patients implanted with a crystalens® (88.4%) could see better at all distances than patients implanted with a standard IOL (35.9%).
Long-term experience means a safe and effective procedure—some patients have continued excellent vision 5 years after implantation with the crystalens. More than 40,000 crystalenses have been implanted worldwide.
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The crystalens® Procedure
The crystalens® procedure is simple and allows for relatively fast healing. After a small incision is made at the edge of the cornea, the lens is liquefied and the crystalens® is implanted. Crystalens® can usually be implanted in about 15 minutes.
The recovery period is usually short. Most patients are able to pursue normal activities almost immediately after surgery. Patients usually have a follow-up visit scheduled with Dr. Pearlman to evaluate the patient’s recovery. Discuss with Dr. Pearlman beforehand what to expect before, during, and after the procedure in terms of eye drops and office visits.
If you are like most patients who have the crystalens®, you can expect to see everything more clearly. Your focus will be sharper than it has been in years, and you can expect to see improvements over time.