3 ms·

I am thrilled that this exists. I've been hoping for this since my near vision started going south twenty years ago. My current options are reading glasses (d

I am thrilled that this exists. I've been hoping for this since my near vision started going south twenty years ago. My current options are reading glasses (dollar store ones are as good as prescription) or hope that accommodating intraocular lenses are available when I eventually have to undergo cataract surgery. Bifocals are disorienting, multifocal contacts sort of work but I still need readers. It sucks to be on the fringe of so much medical technology - have to pay for the insurance but get squat in terms of treatment. Hoping that it or some next-gen product comes to the US double-quick.

maxerickson 2y ago
What's your concern with accommodating intraocular lenses? Something that works with your particular vision issues? I live in a relatively rural region, and the eye care center that has them as an option is one of the big TV advertisers.
- iwanttocomment 2y ago
  All current IOLs are non-accommodating: the multifocal IOLs work by having multiple rings beam two or three different focal lengths into your retina simultaneously. The way a natural accommodating lens works is that your optical musculature physically flexes the lens to focus on the point you're looking at. The current non-accommodating multifocal lenses are stiff and fixed; the implantee handles the transition between focal points entirely in the mind's eye. While accommodating IOLs are being developed, they are currently not on the commercial market. I have a multifocal IOL that I honestly love, and has allowed me to abandon wearing any glasses; I have crisp and natural vision except in certain edge-cases. Other people, however, never adapt, or dislike the artifacts of the multifocal rings (mostly halos around bright lights such as headlights).
  - maxerickson 2y ago
    I guess I don't understand. This describes a single beam... https://www.bauschsurgical.com/cataract/crystalens-and-trulign/ https://www.bauschsurgical.com/cataract/crystalens-and-truli...
    - iwanttocomment 2y ago
      You're correct that Crystalens had indeed been approved by the FDA, but has not been widely used because of issues with the IOL explanting. While there are resources on the web related to it, I'm not sure any surgeon is currently implanting it. My apologies if that's not accurate, but I wouldn't get a Crystalens today. https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20230818/blog-three-barriers-to-the-new-accommodating-iols https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20230818/blog-thre...
- OldGuyInTheClub 2y ago
  iwanttocomment beat me to it. AFAIK, accommodating IOLs have been in development/trials forever. I wasn't aware of Crystalens but looks like it is not ready for prime time.

maxerickson 2y ago

What's your concern with accommodating intraocular lenses? Something that works with your particular vision issues? I live in a relatively rural region, and the eye care center that has them as an option is one of the big TV advertisers.

iwanttocomment 2y ago
All current IOLs are non-accommodating: the multifocal IOLs work by having multiple rings beam two or three different focal lengths into your retina simultaneously. The way a natural accommodating lens works is that your optical musculature physically flexes the lens to focus on the point you're looking at. The current non-accommodating multifocal lenses are stiff and fixed; the implantee handles the transition between focal points entirely in the mind's eye. While accommodating IOLs are being developed, they are currently not on the commercial market. I have a multifocal IOL that I honestly love, and has allowed me to abandon wearing any glasses; I have crisp and natural vision except in certain edge-cases. Other people, however, never adapt, or dislike the artifacts of the multifocal rings (mostly halos around bright lights such as headlights).
- maxerickson 2y ago
  I guess I don't understand. This describes a single beam... https://www.bauschsurgical.com/cataract/crystalens-and-trulign/ https://www.bauschsurgical.com/cataract/crystalens-and-truli...
  - iwanttocomment 2y ago
    You're correct that Crystalens had indeed been approved by the FDA, but has not been widely used because of issues with the IOL explanting. While there are resources on the web related to it, I'm not sure any surgeon is currently implanting it. My apologies if that's not accurate, but I wouldn't get a Crystalens today. https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20230818/blog-three-barriers-to-the-new-accommodating-iols https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20230818/blog-thre...
OldGuyInTheClub 2y ago
iwanttocomment beat me to it. AFAIK, accommodating IOLs have been in development/trials forever. I wasn't aware of Crystalens but looks like it is not ready for prime time.