Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)
Overview
Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) allows for adjustments in intraocular lens (IOL) power after the eye has healed (2-3 weeks post surgery). Traditional cataract surgery can leave residual nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism which causes blurry vision. Adjustments after surgery allow for increased accuracy in results compared to other lenses. Patients need anywhere from 3 to 5 treatments which translates to a 4-6 week time period on average after surgery. Those with unusual corneas and unstable eyes make take longer. The average price is $3000-6000 per eye.
Background
Not all patients are candidates for the LAL. Macular disease and other eye conditions may increase the risk of complications. Certain medications must be stopped prior to surgery. Your doctor will determine if you are a good candidate for the Light Adjustable Lens. If you have any complications during your cataract surgery before the Light Adjustable Lens is implanted, you may need to have another intraocular lens (IOL) implanted instead of the Light Adjustable Lens.
Following surgery, you will be given several pairs of UV-protective glasses. You must wear the UV-protective glasses during all waking hours for about 4 to 6 weeks. They can be removed 24 hours after finishing your last scheduled LDD light treatment. Failure to wear the UV-protective glasses can result in a permanent vision change or loss of vision quality due to exposure to sunlight/UV light. This may require an additional surgery to remove the LAL from your eye and replace it with another type of intraocular lens.
The rationale for the invention of the Light Adjustable Lens was to address important issues that lead to suboptimal uncorrected visual outcomes in cataract surgery. Pre and post-surgical factors such as wound healing, inaccurate biometry, and unpredictable effective lens position can contribute. LAL can bypass some of these factors by waiting for the eye to heal and adjusting the lens postoperatively.
Precautions
