Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) Customize Your Vision After Cataract Surgery

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL®) is made of a special photosensitive material that changes shape and power of the implanted lens in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. The light treatments are delivered by the RxSight Light Delivery Device (LDD) which are done in your doctor’s office. What makes the Light Adjustable Lens so unique is that these changes are made to the lens after it has been implanted in your eye and you have healed from surgery. 

Please follow all instructions provided to you by your eye doctor and staff, including use of the UV-blocking glasses that will be provided to you. As with any cataract surgery, your vision may not be perfect after surgery. While your eye doctor selected the lens they anticipated would give you the best possible vision, it was only an estimate. Fortunately, you have selected the Light Adjustable Lens! In the following weeks, you and your eye doctor will work together to optimize your vision. Please make sure to pay close attention to your vision and be prepared to discuss preferences with your eye doctor. 

Between 1 and 3 light treatments, each lasting approximately 90 seconds and separated by approximately 3 days, are required. The total number of light treatments is based on the achievement of the desired visual outcome that you and your doctor selected. Once you have achieved your final optimal vision, the lens power is permanently locked with two final light treatments to prevent any further changes. 

Numbing drops will be applied to your eye. There may be some mild pressure or discomfort, and some patients have perceived the treatment to be bright, however the light treatments should not be painful. 

Your vision may be blurry immediately after each treatment due to a gel used during application of the light treatment, but this should resolve quickly. Additionally, your eye may be dilated for the treatment, which may require wearing the tinted UV-blocking glasses for a few hours. It may take approximately 24 hours after each light treatment to notice an improvement in your vision. The light from the LDD may also cause a temporary or long-lasting pink or red afterimage, which is common with a light source directed to the eye. This tinge to your vision is especially noticeable on things that normally look white, but should resolve. Speak with your doctor if the pink or red after image remains.

 The UV-blocking glasses you are provided with protect the Light Adjustable Lens from UV light sources other than the LDD that your doctor will use to optimize your vision. Exposing the Light Adjustable Lens to other UV light sources can potentially change the lens correction in an uncontrolled manner. If you do not wear the provided UV-blocking eyewear, your vision may not improve or it could get worse. If this happens, please contact your physician. 

The UV-blocking glasses should be worn at all times until your eye doctor tells you that you no longer need to wear them (usually 24 hours after your final light treatment). Total wear is typically about 4-5 weeks in duration, however, this may vary depending on the number of light treatments delivered.