Synchrony Accomodative Lens- Just One Diopter

April 6, 2009

The Synchrony lens is a complicated, but ingenious piece of equipment- a double lens implant connected by adjustable “pistons”, where one lens is a high minus and the other is the plus lens. The plus lens moves back and forth to generate accomodation. The ability of engineers to design such a lens that can fit into a shooter is really something. But I recently read in one of the throwaways that after two years, the best the patients could muster is one diopter of accomodation. And that’s the average- that means plenty are doing less (and plenty doing some more). It’s frustrating that such a marvel of engineering still can’t deliver the “holy grail” of at least three diopters.

 

 



Comments

Jump down to form below to submit your own comments

6 Responses to “Synchrony Accomodative Lens- Just One Diopter”

  • Dr. Ari Weitzner

    the laser cannot change the Synchrony lens. it can only remove the membrane that is clouding your vision. understand that once the membrane is opened with the laser, it becomes more difficult to remove the implant safely. you may need to go to a very experienced surgeon who does a lot of implant removals, especially if you want to do it after the YAG laser. The Synchrony is a very new lens- very little experience removing it. may be a little tricky.

  • Mike Jackson

    I was a contact lens wearer (mono vision) for 40 years cataracts were starting and I had a Synchrony implant (left eye) Feb 2011 since then I have never had clear vision, initially I am told it was Blepharitis since that has cleared I am told that a membrane in the eye has become misty and will need Yag laser treatment. Assuming I went ahead am am told I will need laser refinement to the lens and will end up with what appears to be a single vision lens. The whole episode has been a disaster visually and financially as there is a significant cost to every stage. At this time I am very seriously considering removal of the synchrony lens and replacing with a multi-focal lens.

  • ari

    The lens power is often different from one eye to another. The computer program that determines the correct power is not perfect, and if one eye is focused at 7 feet, that is quite accurate, even though you may not be satisfied- sorry about that. But understand the surgeon did nothing wrong. If you are unhappy, some patients touch up with lasik.

  • Carol Kern

    I recently had cataract eye surgery on both eyes. I was suppose to see far away with both eyes. They put the AMO Model# Z9002. The right eye is set with a diopeter o20.5D and is set to infinity. My left eye is set with a diopter of 21.0D and is set to only 7 feet. Are both eyes suppose to have the same diopter settings to see far away. My question is. Did they give me the wrong lens in the left eye to see far away?

  • ari weitzner

    nothing lately, but last i heard, things looked promising.

  • I have read the same thing. It is a shame because cataract surgery is so common and both Crystalens and now Synchrony seem to be coming up short (in my non medical opinion)

    Any word yet on NuLens (Israel)?