Medicare ruling gives cataract patients access to new lenses

Cataract lenses can restore full range of vision

DENVER and COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Seniors undergoing cataract surgery may now pay privately for a lens that corrects eyesight at all distances. Previously, Medicare reimbursements covered only less expensive lenses with a single focus, which meant most cataract patients still needed eyeglasses following surgery.

Crystalens is the first intraocular lens, or IOL, for cataracts that provides accommodation — a full range of functional vision from distance to reading vision. Crystalens is a new technology that is designed to mimic the eye's natural ability to focus on distant, middle, and near objects.

"This is a big victory for Medicare patients, who will no longer be barred from receiving the best technology," said U.S. Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Calif., in a news release. More than 2.2 million cataract surgeries are performed each year .

"Patients tell me they see better than they have in years," said Paul Cutarelli, M.D., who says his patients are amazed at their vision following cataract surgery with Crystalens. "For some, this is the best vision they've had since they were children."

Medicare still will not pay the full cost of cataract surgery with these newer lenses, such as Crystalens. Patients pay the difference in cost between the original technology and the new technology.

Paul E. Cutarelli, M.D., cirujano de LASIK en Denver, le ha mejorado la vista a más de 50,000 pacientes en el área de Denver y Colorado Springs.

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