Crystalens: FSA Eligibility

What is Crystalens?

Crystalens is a type of intraocular lens that is surgically implanted in the eye to treat both cataracts or presbyopia - the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye and the gradual loss of near and intermediate vision. Crystalens is designed to replicate the flexibility and visual acuity of a healthy eye lens, which will allow patients to focus on items in their environments near and far without vision correction aids (University of Rochester Medical Center). This procedure has become one of the most popular vision correction surgeries for individuals who suffer from cataracts or presbyopia, accounting for an average of 8,000 surgeries in the U.S. each day.

How is Crystalens surgery done?

The implantation of Crystalens in eye is a simple, painless surgery that is done in an outpatient setting with very little recovery time. The procedure is done in the physician's office and begins with numbing eye drops being placed into the eye and a small incision made at the edge of the cornea. The natural lens of the eye that has been rendered ineffective by cataracts or other vision issues is gently removed, at which point the Crystalens is implanted in its place.

After closing up the incision with sutures, patients should expect a quick recovery period and should be able to resume normal activities on the day of the procedure. Most patients will return to their doctors for follow-up visits to evaluate their recovery, but by and large the Crystalens procedure has a quick turnaround. Ultimately, very few individuals who receive Crystalens implants will require vision aids in the future and it has proven to be a very effective means of alleviating vision problems caused by cataracts and presbyopia (AllAboutVision.com).