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We are proud to offer the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) from RxSight at North Suburban Eye Specialists
Understanding the Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is the only adjustable intraocular lens that makes it possible to optimize a patient’s vision after the lens is implanted at the time of cataract surgery. The LAL gives patients the most accurate and efficient means for maximizing the quality of their vision and reducing the need for glasses or contacts after cataract surgery. The LAL can also provide a strong advantage for patients with a previous history of eye surgeries including LASIK or PRK and want to maintain excellent vision following cataract surgery.
Because all other intraocular lens implants used in cataract surgery are non-adjustable, any residual blurring from refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism require glasses, contacts, or corneal-based enhancement surgeries (including LASIK or PRK) to achieve the patient’s best visual quality. Alternatively, the LAL is made from a special photo-reactive material that responds and adjusts power when exposed to UV light from a special Light Delivery Device. With the LAL, correction of residual blurring from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can be made directly to the optic of the LAL reducing the need for glasses, contacts, or corneal-based enhancement surgeries (including LASIK and PRK) to achieve the best visual quality for the patient. These slight adjustments make it possible to fine-tune the patient’s vision and correct refractive errors to the highest degree of accuracy possible.
Because of the adjustability of the LAL, a recent study found that patients who receive LALs are twice as likely to achieve 20/20 distance vision than those who receive standard IOLs.
Recovery Following Light Adjustable Lens Implantation
Following cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL), it is very important that the patient protects their eyes from UV light (including sunlight) by wearing protective glasses during all waking hours. The patient will be given a clear pair of protective glasses for indoor use and a tinted pair to wear outside during daylight hours. Since the LAL is designed to react to ultraviolet light during the customization process, unintended exposure may cause unpredictable vision changes that could make it impossible to properly adjust the LAL with light treatments. Once the patient’s ideal vision has been achieved, the lens power will be permanently locked during the patient’s final light treatment and protective glasses will no longer be required.
Light Adjustments to the Light Adjustable Lens
To adjust the correction of the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) following cataract surgery, the patient is placed in front of a Light Delivery Device, which delivers UV light to the optic of the LAL. This allows the doctor to adjust the vision appropriately. Treatment is painless, non-invasive, and lasts roughly 90 seconds for each eye.
Most patients that receive the LAL have their light adjustments 2-3 weeks following their cataract surgeries. Most patients require 2-3 light treatments usually at 2-5 day intervals. Both eyes can receive light treatment at each visit which helps reduce the overall number of follow-ups. Once the patient’s optimal vision is achieved, the lens power is locked permanently with a final treatment.
