Hello has anyone had cataract surgery, with the new accommodating iol lens. Like!

Hello has anyone had cataract surgery, with the new accommodating iol lens. Like ReZome, ReStore or Crystalen.

Let me know how your surgery did and which you choose?

I have not personally had cataract surgery but I have been involved in cataract surgery care with many many patients. As in all things, the new accommodating IOL lenses have benefits and drawbacks. I tend to recommend them more for patients who are not old enough to have lost all their focusing ability. These patients notice a marked decrease in near point visual acuity when a standard non accommodating implant is used. This can be very frustrating to be able to read some things relatively well up close and then immediately after surgery not be able to read anything up close at all without reading glasses.

So why then don't I recommend them for everyone? I have found that many (generally those who are old enough to have gotten used to not being able to read without reading glasses) appear to be more satisfied with the clarity of their distance vision when using the non accommodating IOL. Also, many who have the accommodating IOL implanted still have to use reading glasses when reading fine print. For example, I saw a patient today (I believe she was about 70 or so) who was disappointed in her overall distance vision clarity and expressed regret that she had decided to have the accommodating IOL implanted. But, there isn't really anything that we can do about it now.

So, having said all this, before you make a final decision on what type implant to use talk at length with your surgeon about the possible positives and negatives to these new lenses. Just because something is the newest thing available doesn't necessarily mean it is best for YOU. Not trying to talk you out of using the implant. I just think it is best to be fully informed before you make the decision. Hope this helped.

Well, just thought I would check back with you today. Unfortunately, I had another patient today who was quite unhappy with her Crystalens implant that her surgeon implanted. I really think the problem is that many surgeons represent the lens as a wonder cure. This patient's expectations were that basically she would see like she did when she was 25 years old. The implant, though, left her near sighted and even though the lens does indeed function as it should her resultant near sightedness has her upset because as she put it "I saw better with this eye before I had surgery". My assurance that she would be able to see very clearly with a pair of glasses did not make her happy because she was lead to believe that she would be able to see perfectly at distance, near, and intermediate ranges. Basically she was given unrealistic expectations by her surgeon or she chose to create unrealistic expectations even though her surgeon educated her well.

One other thing to consider. A surgeon makes ALOT more money with a Crystalens implant than a standard non accommodating implant. So, make sure that this is a lens that is best for YOU not best for your surgeon's pocket book. Remember, I am not negative about this lens. I just think you need to go into the decision fully informed.