Questions about Crystalens

New York City, Long Island, and Manhattan, NY

What is Crystalens?

Crystalens is an intraocular lens (IOL) that is used to replace your eye's natural lens during cataract surgery. It is designed to allow you to have a full range of vision as you did before your natural lens developed cataracts.

How does Crystalens work?

Crystalens is an accommodating IOL. Accommodation is the process your natural lens uses to focus on objects at different distances. Tiny muscles around your lens cause it to change shape and focal power so that you can focus light from objects at different distances onto your retina. Crystalens is not flexible, but is designed to move forward and back, changing its focus, when your eye's muscles move.

Is Crystalens my only option for lens replacement after cataract surgery?

No. You can get either monofocal lenses, multifocal lenses, or Crystalens. Monofocal lenses are the traditional choice after cataract surgery, but only allow you to see good at one distance and require glasses for seeing at other distances. Multifocal lenses like Acrysof's ReSTOR use a different solution to the problem by providing a number of focal zones that focus light from different distances simultaneously on the retina. Your mind then selects the clear image of the object you want to look at. During your consultation, New York cataract surgeon Dr. James Kelly will talk to you about the options and help you decide which is right for you.

Is Crystalens a lifetime device?

After cataract surgery, your cataracts will not return. Crystalens is also expected to last for the rest of your life. During studies, Crystalens patients were monitored for up to 7 years after implantation of the lens and they retained their ability to move the lens.

Will Medicare pay the cost of Crystalens?

Cataract surgery is typically covered by most forms of insurance, including Medicare. However, most insurance will only cover the cost of the surgery plus implantation of monofocal lenses. If you want more flexible vision after cataract surgery, you will probably have to pay part of the cost of the surgery.

If you have more questions about cataract surgery or Crystalens and you live in  Manhattan, Long Island, or anywhere in the New York area, please call or email Kelly Laser Center to schedule a consultation with our Manhattan eye doctor today.