Information & Consumer Review for Lens Implants
Harvard Eye Associates — Southern California's Most Experienced Lens Implant Surgeons

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CrystaLens, ReZOOM and ReSTOR Lens Implants

New eye surgery lens implants, the Crystalens, ReZOOM and ReSTOR lenses, can now provide both reading and distance vision without glasses for people undergoing cataract or refractive lens implant surgery. For 50 years, eye surgeons have used lens implants to replace the eye's internal focusing lens, but until recently every lens implant acted simply like a fixed-focus lens.

Three new lens implants have been FDA-approved recently for correction of both distance and reading vision. Each of these implants works slightly differently, and not all implants are right for all patients. This page is designed to help people interested in these new-technology lens implants to understand the similarities and differences between them. Our eye surgeons have extensive experience implanting all of the lenses described here and are take pride in helping each patient make an unbiased, informed decision on an implant that will provide a lifetime of clear vision. To schedule a consultation and find out whether Crystalens, ReZOOM, or ReSTOR is right for you: Schedule Your Appointment Now.

Differences and Comparisons

Comparison Chart of Crystalens, ReZOOM and ReSTOR Lens Implants*

		Crystalens	ReZOOM	ReSTOR
Focusing Mechanism		Implant moves back and forth (autofocus), powered by your eye muscles.	Light focuses through three zones simultaneously for far, mid-range, and near vision.	Light focuses through a unique 'apodized' lens shape, giving far and near focusing.
Distance vision (road signs, TV captions)		+++	+++	+++
Arm's length vision at 2-3 feet (computer screen)		+++	+++	++
Near Vision at 1-2 feet		+	++	+++
Clarity for driving at night		+++	++	++
		Crystalens	ReZOOM	ReSTOR
How quickly will I have clear vision for...	Far away	Immediate	Immediate	Immediate
	Mid-range (2-3 feet)	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.
	Up-close (1-2 feet)	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.	Slowly improves over one to several weeks.
		Crystalens	ReZOOM	ReSTOR
Advantages		True accommodating lens. Theoretically best clarity of vision.	Excellent results for distance and arm's length.	Best for fine print.  Results are immediate.
Disadvantages		Some "learning curve" in re-training muscles to focus.  Some patients may not achieve significant reading ability	May get mild haloes when driving at night. May need glasses for some fine print.	May get mild haloes when driving at night. May need glasses for arms lenth vision (e.g., computer)
		Crystalens	ReZOOM	ReSTOR
Ideal Candidate		Active, young people who may not mind glasses for very fine print, but need clear vision for driving at night.	People who drive minimally at night or are not bothered by glare. People who spend more time at the computer than reading.	People who drive minimally at night or are not bothered by glare. People who spend a great deal of time reading and do not mind wearing glasses for computer use.

Crystalens — Far, Near, and Everything In-Between

The Crystalens implant (made by Eyeonics, Inc.) can give reading vision (within 1-2 feet), arm's length (2-3 feet), and distance vision without glasses because this implant actually adjusts its position within the eye as the eye looks from far to near subjects, much like an 'auto focus' mechanism on a camera. The Crystalens is powered by the same ciliary body muscles that move and focus the eye's own natural lens. Its unique, hinged shape allows for this lens movement and gives a seamless transition from far to arm's length to near vision. Most people with the Crystalens have clear far vision (driving, television) and intermediate vision (arm's length, computer screen) without any glasses. About 95% of people can also read newsprint without glasses. Some people do need glasses for fine print, especially in dim light. Of the three lenses, the Crystalens is most likely to provide the best vision for driving at night. CLICK HERE for MORE on the CRYSTALENS.

WATCH PBS TELEVISION INTERVIEWS:

AMERICAN HEALTH JOURNAL ~ Click on links below to watch video:

 Segment 1: Reading Vision and How the Crystalens Works
(8 minute)
 
 Segment 2: Cataracts and Surgical Technique of Crystalens
(16 minute)

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ReZOOM — Progressive Lens Inside the Eye

The ReZOOM lens (made by Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.), like the ReSTOR lens (see below), is a non-moving lens implant. It gives near (1-2 feet), arm's length (2-3 feet), and distance vision simultaneously because it has three focusing zones. Light entering the eye passes through all three of these zones simultaneously. This means there is no 'learning curve' for reading with this lens. Distance and reading vision are available almost immediately. However, some patients may have difficulty with driving at night because of glare from oncoming lights. This can occur with any lens implant but is more likely with implants that focus light in two or more places at once. Just as progressive spectacle lenses can cause distortion under certain conditions, the ReZOOM lens may not give perfect vision in dim light situations. The ReZOOM lens gives generally satisfactory arm's length (computer screen, arm's length) vision but may not yield perfect vision for reading very small print up-close.

 

ReSTOR — The Space-Age Bifocal

Like ReZOOM, the ReSTOR lens is a non-moving lens implant. It too can give distance and near vision simultaneously. Rather than having three separate focusing zones like ReZOOM, however, the ReSTOR lens focuses vision using an "apodized" surface. This high-tech manufacturing process gives the lens a gradual blending of focusing power throughout the entire lens surface. With the ReSTOR lens, 97% of people can see both distance objects (road signs) and near objects (reading material within 1-2 feet) without difficulty, especially in good light. Arms length vision (the computer screen, for example) at 2-3 feet is less clear, and most people will need glasses for these kinds of tasks. In dim light, the lens is designed to give better distance vision. However, 5% of people with ReSTOR do notice significant haloes or glare around lights at night.

Which Lens Implant Is Best For You? 

Lens implants are meant to last a lifetime. Fortunately, most people will be very happy with whatever lens implant choice they make. The Crystalens, ReZOOM, and ReSTOR lenses have all been rigorously tested by the US FDA before being approved for use. For most people, any of the three will provide excellent results. To arrange a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss specific recommendations for you, please contact us.

Choosing Harvard Eye Associates

Our eye doctors have a combined total of nearly 100 years of experience with nearly 50,000 lens implants of almost every type ever made. Harvard Eye Associates' surgeons were among the first in the world to use soft, folding lens implants for small incision cataract surgery in the 1980s and continue to break new ground being among the first surgeons in the country to be authorized to use the lenses described above.

Over the years we have conducted numerous FDA research studies on new implant technologies, and we continue to perform studies on existing and upcoming technologies. Our doctors have authored dozens of scientific publications, serve on scientific advisory boards for a number of healthcare technology companies, and are reviewers for major vision science journals.

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*Individual results may vary considerably from patient to patient. Rare but significant surgical complications can occur with any lens implant, despite stated information. This document is intended only as a broad review of the general concepts involved in making a decision between lenses. It is beyond the scope or intent of this web page to provide an exhaustive review of lens implant technology or a prediction of what any individual patient may experience. Consult with your doctor for more information.