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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Crystal Lens - Halo Problem
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Crystal Lens - Halo Problem
by Andrew97, Apr 22, 2007 12:00AM
I am a 47 year old male who has cataract surgery in June 2006 and had a Crystal Lens implanted in my left eye. While my my daytime vision has been adequate, I experience a horrible halo effect during nighttime vision. I literally see hundreds of Crystal Lens shaped halos from every point of light on the road while I am driving at night. This is a serious concern for my nighttime driving, since I am required to drive quite often at night. My doctor has prescribed Alphagan to minimize my pupil dilation at night with good success, but, he has said that there is a significant incidence of Alphagan users develop an allergic reaction to the drug, and I may not be able to rely on the drug as a long term solution. Also, I plan to have my right eye’s cataract removed shortly due to a rapidly worsening vision in my right eye. While my opthamologist initially recommended waiting a period of time before implanting the second Crystal Lens to see if the halos would subside, he now recommends using a non-Crystal Lens, or normal, implant with the right eye. He said that this implant would be larger (about 6mm to 4.5mm for the Crystal Lens) and it is unlikely to have halo problem with a larger implant. My questions are: Given my large dilated pupil size and the severity of the halo problem, will a little larger implant almost certainly not cause any halo effect? Is there any size, or type of implant, that would be more certain to provide an optimal outcome? What about the fact that I will not have two matched Crystal Lens implants – Is this problematic (I had been told that it was critical to match up the implants) Are there any other options that I should consider before moving forward? I need to make a decision shortly on what direction to take on the second implant and would appreciate any input, or advice, anyone can provide.
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Apr 22, 2007 12:00AM
'will a little larger implant almost certainly not cause any halo effect?'
well, no one is going to use the words 'almost certainly', but the probability is less, yes.
'Is there any size, or type of implant, that would be more certain to provide an optimal outcome?'
its probably not the 'size' of the implant. its probably the fact that you have a multifocal.
'What about the fact that I will not have two matched Crystal Lens implants – Is this problematic'
its only problematic as far as not needing reading glasses. the only way most multifocal implants work is when both eyes have a multifocal implant. if one eye has a monofocal...very likely to still rely heavily on reading glasses.
well, no one is going to use the words 'almost certainly', but the probability is less, yes.
'Is there any size, or type of implant, that would be more certain to provide an optimal outcome?'
its probably not the 'size' of the implant. its probably the fact that you have a multifocal.
'What about the fact that I will not have two matched Crystal Lens implants – Is this problematic'
its only problematic as far as not needing reading glasses. the only way most multifocal implants work is when both eyes have a multifocal implant. if one eye has a monofocal...very likely to still rely heavily on reading glasses.
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She also did not like the CrystaLens for the reason you describe -- a high incident of post-op dissatisfaction and they're quite new.
At any rate, I have no substantial halos with my implant and based on what my surgeon has said, mixing two different lenses can be done successfully.
Talk to your surgeon about it and ask a lot of questions. Hopefully you find the right combination.