Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach
Have cataracts made driving, reading, playing golf, cooking, and performing other routine activities challenging? It may be time for cataract surgery.
One of the decisions you’ll have to make during the cataract surgery journey is what type of intraocular lens (IOL) you want. With the Light Adjustable Lens, you will be able to fully customize and test drive your vision.
Keep reading to learn more about how custom vision could be yours, thanks to the Light Adjustable Lens!
What is the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens is a groundbreaking IOL technology that enables your cataract surgeon to modify its power after cataract surgery. This fully customizable IOL gives patients more flexibility, allowing them to choose the vision they desire after cataract surgery.
What Should You Expect After Cataract Surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens?
Recovery following cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens is very similar to recovery with any other IOL. However, you’ll need to wear UV-blocking glasses immediately after cataract surgery and at all times until you complete your light treatments.
You can remove them when washing your face, applying eye drops, sleeping, and taking a shower. If there’s direct sunlight in your shower, ensure you put on the glasses whenever you shower.
It’s crucial to wear UV-protective glasses for the rest of your waking hours, even when it’s overcast. Exposure to UV light before the light treatments are completed can cause uncontrolled changes to the lens and impact your final visual outcome.
Your ophthalmologist will tell you when to stop wearing the UV-blocking glasses.
How Does the Light Adjustable Lens Work?
The Light Adjustable Lens is made of a unique photosensitive material that can be reshaped in response to UV light. About two to three weeks after cataract surgery, you’ll return to your ophthalmologist’s office once your eye has healed.
They’ll perform a visual acuity test to determine your baseline vision before making adjustments to the lens with the Light Delivery Device. You’ll preview potential visual outcomes with your cataract surgeon before making your final decision.
Fine-tuning the Light Adjustable Lens involves using the Light Delivery Device. The Light Delivery Device emits controlled UV light patterns that activate the photosensitive material of the Light Adjustable Lens.
As a result, the photosensitive material changes the shape and power of the implanted lens in response to the UV to optimize vision. After every treatment session, you’ll be able to preview and test drive your vision.
The ophthalmologist will continue to tweak the prescription until you reach your visual goals. Patients typically require between 3 to 5 light treatments, spaced at least 3 days apart, to attain their ideal visual outcomes.
Each treatment session takes approximately 90 seconds, is completely painless, and brings you closer to the vision you’ve always wanted. You’ll continue wearing the UV protective glasses between sessions until the treatment is complete.
Once you achieve your personal best vision, you’ll receive a final treatment where the ophthalmologist will lock in the power of the lens to prevent any further changes.
Who is a Good Candidate for the Light Adjustable Lens?
Most cataract surgery patients make suitable candidates. But generally, the Light Adjustable Lens may be right for you if you meet the following criteria:
- You wish to be free from glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery
- You can comply with regular light treatment sessions after you’ve healed from the procedure
- You’re willing to wear UV-blocking glasses at all times while healing from cataract surgery and between light treatments
The best way to know for sure if the Light Adjustable Lens is right for you is to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at Eye Physicians of Long Beach.
Why Should You Choose the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens offers many benefits, including:
Truly Custom Vision
The Light Adjustable Lens is the first of its kind. What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s adjustable after cataract surgery.
All other IOLs can’t be adjusted postoperatively. Post-procedure, the vision you’ll get will depend on the IOL you chose.
After implanting the Light Adjustable Lens, you’ll test potential visual outcomes in real life and then have the IOL adjusted based on your unique preferences and needs.
This will ensure you end up with the best vision possible.
Reduces Dependence on Visual Aids
Your ophthalmologist can modify the power of the Light Adjustable Lens to correct refractive errors, including farsightedness, nearsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism. With the precision of the Light Adjustable Lens, many cataract surgery patients enjoy clear, sharp vision without needing glasses or contact lenses.
Superior Vision Correction
With other intraocular lenses, the IOL chosen is pre-set with its magnification prior to cataract surgery. The cataract surgeon makes certain estimates about your vision to select the right refractive power for your intraocular lens.
However, they can’t ensure a precise vision outcome. Plus, obtaining your exact prescription can be difficult when you still have a cataract.
The Light Adjustable Lens takes the guesswork out of cataract surgery. Your cataract surgeon won’t have to use pre-surgery measurements to estimate the power and kind of IOL that will provide the best vision after your procedure.
Fine-tuning happens after surgery once the cataract is removed and your eye heals.
Clearer, Crisper Vision on Your Terms
Eye Physicians of Long Beach is thrilled to offer the Light Adjustable Lens, an ideal choice for many cataract surgery patients. With the Light Adjustable Lens, you can attain sharp, clear, unencumbered vision and enjoy a better quality of life.
Are you looking for an IOL that can be customized to your exact preferences? Schedule your appointment at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, today to determine if the Light Adjustable Lens is right for you.