Refractive Lens Implants

Newly approved alternatives to standard monofocal lenses are intraocular lenses (IOLs) that focus both for distance and near vision. One of these lenses, the Crystalens, is actually a monofocal lens that has the ability to move forward inside the eye to change focus from distance to near to some degree. The amount of close reading vision obtained after Crystalens implantation is usually good enough for casual reading such as newspapers, magazines and moderate sized computer fonts. Another alternative to standard lenses are multifocal IOLs such as the ReZoom and Restor lenses that focus light coming from both near and distance souces providing a wide range of focusing cpability. All of these lenses are implantable during cataract surgery, but are significantly more expensive that standard monofocal lenses. Medicare and other insurance carriers require that the patient pay for the extra expense of these presbyopic lenses. In addition to the cost, patients should consider the potential optical side effect of nighttime halos around lights.

Crystalens

Refractive Lens Implant Surgery
If, because of the condition of your eyes, Dr. Pilkinton determines that you’re not a good candidate for LASIK, he can still improve your vision through other treatments. One of these alternatives is refractive lens implant surgery.

With this treatment, Dr. Pilkinton replaces your existing lenses with prescription intraocular lenses which give you excellent vision. Intraocular lenses are made of a synthetic material similar to contact lenses. They can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or types of astigmatism.

Crystalens Implants
Crystalens is the latest breakthrough in vision improvement. Crystalens is a cataract replacement lens that works naturally with the eyes' muscles to give you the quality of vision enjoyed when you were younger. Eye muscles are able to squeeze it and retract it so that you can focus on objects far away, close up and anywhere in-between.

Ask Dr. Pilkinton if Crystalens could improve your eyesight.


Frequently Asked Questions About Lens Implants.
Who is the best candidate for crystalens implants?
Anyone who has cataracts or has other imperfections in your natural lenses, then crystalens could be the answer. Dr. Pilkinton can make that determination after a thorough evaluation of your eyes.

What is the procedure like?
With refractive lens implants and crystalens, the procedure is very similar. Your eye is numbed with drops, then a small opening is made in your cornea where the lens is inserted and positioned. Your cornea heals naturally, so there are no stitches. Recovery is fast (the first day after surgery, there might be some fuzziness in your vision) and the entire procedure, through recovery, causes very little discomfort.

How do implants work over the long term?
Dr. Pilkinton has been performing lens implant surgery for years. The entire idea of lens replacement is 50 years old. Dr. Pilkinton’s patients report excellent results in the improvement of their vision. The lenses should last a lifetime.

Why a lens implant instead of LASIK?
If you have major imperfections in your eyes or require a strong prescription for your vision, then implants are a better choice. Dr. Pilkinton can make that determination after examining your eyes.

Can implants cause any problems?
Sometimes the lens can become cloudy. Dr. Pilkinton can easily remedy this problem with an outpatient procedure. The procedure is simple and painless and removes any cloudiness.