New Options for Cataract Surgery Patients
Remember 35mm cameras? Most of them are collecting dust with the popularity of easy-to-use digital cameras. Anyway, about the 35mm camera...if you removed the lens from the camera body you were unable to take clear photos. And so it is with cataract surgery. By removing the cloudy lens through cataract surgery the eye immediately loses about 18 diopters of focusing power, roughly one-third of the eye's total focusing power.
For the past 20 years eye surgeons have relied on an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant to correct for the loss of focusing power. IOLs are available in a range of optical powers to match the needs of individual patients, however, until recently, IOLs offered one optical correction: distance or near. Most IOL recipients still wore glasses after their surgery to help with reading.
Now things are changing.
Multifocal IOLs are now available. The FDA has determined that they are safe and effective. The leading multifocal IOLs have pleasing names like Crystalens, ReSTOR, and ARRAY.
Unfortunately, Medicare has not kept up with change.
Although there are a few exceptions, most patients receiving a multifocal IOL will incur a huge out-of-pocket expense, typically exceeding $2000 per eye. Medicare and most private insurers only reimburse for the standard, less-expensive monofocal IOL.
If you are considering cataract surgery make sure you clearly understand exactly which charges you will be expected to pay out of your own pocket. Many seniors don't have $2000 to spend for medical devices that are totally elective. Speak with your surgeon to determine if your situation qualifies for multifocal IOL reimbursement.
Related Topics: Should I Have Cataract Surgery?, Vision Problems in Aging Adults
Technorati Tags: cataracts, cataractsurgery, crystalens, medicare,
For the past 20 years eye surgeons have relied on an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant to correct for the loss of focusing power. IOLs are available in a range of optical powers to match the needs of individual patients, however, until recently, IOLs offered one optical correction: distance or near. Most IOL recipients still wore glasses after their surgery to help with reading.
Now things are changing.
Multifocal IOLs are now available. The FDA has determined that they are safe and effective. The leading multifocal IOLs have pleasing names like Crystalens, ReSTOR, and ARRAY.
Unfortunately, Medicare has not kept up with change.
Although there are a few exceptions, most patients receiving a multifocal IOL will incur a huge out-of-pocket expense, typically exceeding $2000 per eye. Medicare and most private insurers only reimburse for the standard, less-expensive monofocal IOL.
If you are considering cataract surgery make sure you clearly understand exactly which charges you will be expected to pay out of your own pocket. Many seniors don't have $2000 to spend for medical devices that are totally elective. Speak with your surgeon to determine if your situation qualifies for multifocal IOL reimbursement.
Related Topics: Should I Have Cataract Surgery?, Vision Problems in Aging Adults
Technorati Tags: cataracts, cataractsurgery, crystalens, medicare,
4 Comments:
I have had Crystalens sugery for about one month now. I have perfect distance vision, but almost no mid-range or close-up. Closer than 46 inches things start to blur and at 26 inches and can not read anything. My surgeon wants to do a procedure to weaken one eye for close-up and keep the other eye the same for distance. What can I do? I paid $1900 per eye for something that so far is not working. Mark
I had Crystalens surgery on 052107. While driving home from the hospital, the difference was amazing! I could see several stop lights ahead and the leaves on the trees. I went to my day after surgery checkup and found that I am 1 line away from 20/20 vision in my right eye. What a difference this has made in my sight. Each eye surgery is $1,500 out of pocket, but the investment is well worth it. I am looking forward to having my left eye done on 060407. I can't wait to experience the results after both eyes are done.
Deb
Deb-What was your uncorrected vision before the surgery? I am 9.5 nearsighted.
Lis
I currently wear contacts & glasses, my perscription with glasses is negative -16, in one eye and negative -13 in the other eye, Would I be a likely candidate for Cataract surgery. Being that I am unable to see without corrective lens.
Post a Comment