| CRYSTALENS
Frequently Asked Questions
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I CAN’T SEE UP CLOSE ANYMORE,
WHAT HAPPENED? |
Around age 40, the eye’s own natural
crystalline lens starts to thicken and harden.
Eventually a cataract is formed. Over time, the eye
loses it’s ability to see things close-up, known as
presbyopia. In the past, if a patient had cataract
surgery or a CLEAR LENS EXTRACTION, they would
certainly need glasses to read or see up close. If
you are 45 or older, and have experienced a decrease
in your ability to see up close or have cataracts
but don’t want to compromise your near vision, then
CRYSTALENS may be the solution you have been looking
for.
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WHAT IS CRYSTALENS? |
CRYSTALENS is a new intraocular lens that
is truly revolutionary. CRYSTALENS is the only FDA
approved intraocular lens (IOL) that imitates the
eye’s natural focusing power. Most IOL’s are in a
fixed position in the eye and the patient must use
glasses to see close-up. The CRYSTALENS is unique
because it can allow you to see at distance, near
and intermediate. The lens works using your
eye’s own natural muscles to move the lens forward
or backward within your eye to allow you to focus
seamlessly. Crystalens has been implanted in
eyes in Europe since 1999 with great success.
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HOW WELL DOES CRYSTALENS WORK? |
Of the studies done, 98.4% of patients
could see well enough without glasses to be able to
read print the size of the newspaper or directions
on the back of a bottle of pain reliever.
100% could see intermediate (computer screen distance) for most of life’s
daily activities
More than 80% reported they were using their computer, shopping and
applying makeup without the use of glasses.
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WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE
CRYSTALENS PROCEDURE? |
You will be given a light intra-venous
anesthetic to relax you, and a tiny incision is made
on the eye.
The surgeon uses micro-surgical instruments that break up and vacuum out
your lens.
The new CRYSTALENS is inserted into place in the eye, and the incision is
so tiny it closes on it’s own, usually without the
need for any stitches.
The entire procedure takes under 5 minutes.
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| WOULD YOU DO BOTH EYES ON THE
SAME DAY? |
Typically, both eyes are done
approximately two weeks apart.
We can provide glasses to help you through the two week period.
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WILL MY VISION IMPROVE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER CRYSTALENS? |
Results with CRYSTALENS are excellent.
Depending on your own personal healing pattern, your
results may vary.
It usually takes several weeks for the eyes to heal completely.
However, many patients notice advancement in their
distance, near and intermediate vision within 2
weeks after the CRYSTALENS procedure.
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| WILL I HAVE TO WEAR A PATCH
OVER MY EYE AFTER CRYSTALENS? |
You will be discharged with a patch over
the operated eye, that you may remove the following
morning. You will be instructed to sleep in a patch
for a few days to ensure you do not rub your eye in
your sleep. You will not need to wear any patches
during the day.
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| HOW SOON CAN I RETURN TO WORK? |
The majority of our patients return to work and
to normal activities within 24 hours to a few days
after their CRYSTALENS procedure.
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WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND SIDE
EFFECTS OF CRYSTALENS? |
Rare, but potential side effects include:
glare, corneal swelling, retinal detachment.
A thorough review of all benefits and risks will be addressed during your
free consultation and evaluation.
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| WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS
AFTER CRYSTALENS? |
As with any vision treatment procedure,
certain precautions should be taken. Patients
should not go swimming in pools, hot tubs, the ocean
or lakes for at least a week. When showering the
eyes should be closed to avoid getting soap and
dirty water in the eyes for one week. When
exercising, sweat should be kept from the eyes for
one week. Vigorous rubbing and eye makeup should be
avoided for one week.
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| WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I
EXPECT AND WILL IT LAST FOREVER? |
Most patients do not need corrective
lenses after the CRYSTALENS procedure has completely
healed. However, depending on your age, and
the type of prescription you have, you may need
additional vision correction at some point.
(Surgery, reading glasses or bifocals)
The CRYSTALENS is permanent and will never develop a cataract.
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| WHAT WILL MY RECOVERY BE LIKE
AFTER CRYSTALENS? |
After the procedure, there may be some
mild discomfort, and many patients experience
scratchiness in the eye. This usually subsides
within 24 hours of the procedure. Your
recovery time will depend on how high your
prescription was, and on personal healing patterns.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after CRYSTALENS, you may have tearing
and discomfort, and a scratchy sensation (much like
having an eyelash in your eye). Your vision
will continue to stabilize during the weeks to
follow.
For the first two weeks following your CRYSTALENS procedure, you will use
dilation drops that will keep the lens positioned
correctly while you heal. You may see halos during
this time period and be sensitive to light.
After two weeks, your intermediate vision is improving and your near
vision is starting to improve.
You will discontinue wearing reading glasses and read daily so that you
strengthen the focusing muscle.
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| IS CRYSTALENS COVERED BY MY
INSURANCE PLAN? |
We will provide no-cost testing to determine
whether or not you are eligible for your insurance
to pay. If you are eligible, we will bill your
insurance company the customary fee for cataract
surgery and you may pay the difference in cost for
the "upgrade" to the CRYSTALENS, or you may pay the
entire amount.
We offer Vision Fee Plan (VFP) a flexible financing
company that has monthly payments as low as $48 a
month and APR's as low as 5.9%. Vision Fee Plan also
has a 12 month - same as cash, no up front payment
plan. Click here for more information on
financing. Go to
Payment Options |
| WHAT WILL MY CRYSTALENS
EVALUATION BE LIKE? |
You will make an appointment to be seen at a
time that is convenient for you. You will meet a
technician who will begin the in-depth exam.
This information will provide the physicians with
precise and detailed information necessary for your
personalized treatment.
We will measure your corneal thickness, take a
personalized corneal map and do a dilated and
undilated refraction, measure your intra-ocular
pressure, and check your vision.
You will then have a personal consultation with the refractive
coordinator to discuss the CRYSTALENS procedure in
detail and have all of your questions answered.
You will then meet with the doctor of your choice to develop a
personalized and custom plan specifically for your
eyes. This is also the opportunity to ask any
further questions you may have. You will need to
allow approximately 1 hour for this comprehensive
eye examination.
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| WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE? |
A patient of at least 45 years of age who
is tired of reading glasses and would like less
dependence on them or a patient with cataracts who
wants to preserve some near vision. The ideal
patient will have a stable prescription for one
year, good eye health, and good general health.
Non-candidates include some diabetic patients, some rheumatoid arthritis
patients, all pregnant or breast feeding mothers or
patients with sever glaucoma. This will
be determined by your doctor.
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| WHERE IS CRYSTALENS DONE?
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We are please to be one of the only
doctors in Georgia who performs CRYSTALENS in the
comfort of our own office.
We have a full staff of RN's, anesthesiologists, and two fully equipped
operating rooms right here onsite.
The majority of surgeons must perform this procedure at the hospital or
outpatient surgery center.
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