This blog explains what the light-adjustable lens is and how it can improve your vision.
What Is a Light-Adjustable Lens?
The light-adjustable lens (LAL) is a unique intraocular lens (IOL) type. After cataract removal, surgeons place an IOL in the eye, serving as a new lens. IOLs contain at least one prescription, sometimes several.
With traditional IOLs, you can’t adjust the prescription after surgery. This can be a frustrating problem for people with previous refractive surgery, those with very flat or steep corneas, or those with unusually short or long eyes. These issues can make choosing the ideal lens pre-surgery especially challenging.
LALs allow for vision adjustments post-surgery — a groundbreaking advancement in cataract surgery. Your surgeon can safely calibrate the prescription in both eyes individually or together based on your needs.
How Does the Light-Adjustable Lens Work?
After cataract surgery, your light-adjustable lens remains flexible for several weeks. During this time, we can use controlled UV light to alter the shape of the IOL and adjust your vision.
Most patients have three or four adjustment sessions in our Castro Valley office. For about 5-6 weeks you must wear special UV-blocking eyeglasses whenever you’re awake.
Once you’re happy with your vision, the lens is “locked in” to prevent further changes. This gives you the most precise vision correction possible for the long term.
Benefits of the Light-Adjustable Lens
The LAL offers impressive benefits for people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, including:
- Personalized vision adjustments after surgery
- Better accuracy in achieving the desired vision
- Less chance of needing glasses after surgery
It’s also important to know that LAL is highly customized based upon your daily activities. Whether you prefer clearer distance vision, near vision, or a balance of both, the LAL can help you get the vision you want.
Is the Light-Adjustable Lens Right for You?
The light-adjustable lens is ideal for people who want more control over their post-surgery vision. If you’re looking for highly precise results, a high level of customization, and the lowest chances of needing glasses, the LAL could be right for you.
The Light-Adjustable Lens in the Bay Area
We provide the latest advances in cataract surgery at Mark Mandel, MD’s Bay Area practice. He’s known as the “doctor’s doctor” because he’s the go-to eye surgeon for other physicians.
To learn more about the light-adjustable lens, call us at 877-210-2020 ext. 3 to schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Hayward, San Jose, Concord, and Castro Valley.