I wonder if what the doctor meant was that he could see the beginnings of cataracts and predicted that in two years they would be very advanced and impacting your vision greatly. It took about two years for that to happen to mine when the doctor first detected the start of the cataracts.

Not all patients are candidates for bifocular lenses. Need to see your doctor, and have eyes tested. I'm halfway through with having cataracts removed, and I chose distance lens only. (I don't mind wearing reading glasses for paper or computer) My doctor recommended it also. The difference is, I chose laser, over incision, because after reading up on this (and the surgeon explaining) the accuracy is much more greater with laser then regular incision. Had first eye done on 11nth of this month, with second eye done on 31st (no New Years cheer) Like a said in another thread, it's a piece of cake. Dr Wherly did mine. You will be amazed the difference in your sight!!! Everything is so clear, and colors are just amazing. I recommend it to any one who needs that surgery. The longest part of the surgery, is waiting for your eyes to be diolated. In and out in about 2- 3 hrs. Feel nothing. I say, "Go for it"!!!

Can anyone else confirm that Medicare will only pay for incision? It seems that if Laser is less invasive, ergo safer, it would make sense to use Laser. I don't have cataracts but would really like to know what it will cost to do it as "elective".

Yes. Medicare will only pay for incision. Medicare says that Laser is not required, and not needed. Your probably looking at from 1000-1500 per eye for laser, out of pocket.

So laser to do crystalens would be $3000? I would do it in a heartbeat :) Where do I go in TV to get this done?

I go to Lake Eye. I recommend Dr Wehrly for surgery. I'm sure others might recommend some one else also. Last week, Dr Wehrly did 15 patients at the Surgical Center on Rt 466.

Is it less invasive and safer?
The FDA approved the use of this laser for cataract surgery without comparative studies, but newer better IOLs have been in use outside of the USA for years (Synchrony, Lenstec, etc) and are still waiting in the FDA pipeline. I have to wonder about the "unbiased" approval system. :mad:

The Crystalens website has a "Find a Surgeon" tab. A yellow star indicates that the Center of Excellence award is presented to Crystalens-certified ophthalmologists that have implanted at least 100 Crystalens. Good place to start looking.
Crystalens