The FDA recently approved a new device called Crystalens®. Manufactured by Bausch and Lomb™, this device replaces the natural lens of the eye and is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and age related problems at near called presbyopia.
A Crystalens® procedure is quite similar to cataract surgery, one of the most commonly performed operations in the United States. Most patients obtain great distance vision correction and a significant improvement in near vision. The device is capable of providing about 70% of the focusing power needed for near tasks. This would be sufficient to allow reading of menus and larger print. In addition most computer screens should be quite readable because they tend to be a little farther from the eye. For very close work, most patients will probably require some reading correction.
15 years in development, the lens works by shifting its position forward in the eye with focusing effort. Similar to focusing a pair of binoculars where the eyepieces move in and out, this movement allows the eye to change it’s focal length between distance and near. The procedure does not correct astigmatism at this time.
