When cataracts interfere with your vision, making it difficult to perform routine daily tasks, your ophthalmologist will recommend cataract surgery. The procedure involves removing and replacing your natural lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
The Light Adjustable Lens is the only IOL that can offer fully customized vision following cataract surgery. Keep reading to learn more about the Light Adjustable Lens and why custom vision is possible thanks to the Light Adjustable Lens!
What is the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens is a premium IOL that takes cataract surgery to the next level. It’s the only IOL that can be fine-tuned non-invasively after being implanted in your eye.
You can think of the Light Adjustable Lens as a tailored suit. When you compare the Light Adjustable Lens to acrylic intraocular lenses, which are off the shelf, these work well for some people.
But in special situations, like after refractive procedures like LASIK, the Light Adjustable Lens is far more accurate. The Light Adjustable Lens is also a fantastic option for patients looking to minimize their dependence on glasses without dealing with halos, which can occur if you choose a multifocal lens.
Choosing a permanent lens implant prior to cataract surgery can be stressful. Will monovision work for you? What do you want to be in focus? If you are not 100% sure, an adjustable lens gives us the flexibility to make a change without needing an additional procedure after cataract surgery.
The Light Adjustable Lens utilizes breakthrough technology to deliver custom vision, optimizing your eyesight after cataract surgery. What’s so impressive about this IOL is that it produces visual outcomes that other IOLs cannot match.
What Happens After Cataract Surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens?
Having the Light Adjustable Lens implanted in your eye starts like any other IOL. First, you’ll have your eyes numbed.
Then, your cataract surgeon will make an incision in your eye to access your natural lens. They will then use phacoemulsification to break up the cataract before removing your natural lens.
Once removed, your natural lens is replaced with the IOL to ensure you can see clearly after cataract surgery. But once the IOL has been implanted in your eye, this is where everything starts to differ.
After cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens, you must wear UV protection glasses while your eyes heal. You can only remove these glasses when sleeping, applying eye drops, showering, or washing your face while ensuring you’re not exposed to ultraviolet light.
Wearing protective glasses will keep your eye from exposure to any UV light that can change the lens power and shape of the Light Adjustable Lens. Consequently, this will ensure you attain your desired visual outcome post-cataract surgery.
How the Light Adjustable Lens Works
You’ll return to your ophthalmologist once your eye heals after cataract surgery. It takes about 4 weeks for the eye to heal after cataract surgery. While there, you’ll undergo a visual acuity test.
The test will allow your eye doctor to know your exact visual options. During this visit, you’ll test drive the different visual outcomes depending on your preferences. That way, you’ll know what your vision will look like in real life.
After determining your best prescription, your eye doctor will use the light delivery device (LDD) to apply controlled ultraviolet (UV) light treatments. These light treatments precisely change the power and shape of the Light Adjustable Lens based on the required correction.
Most patients need three light treatment sessions spaced over a period of 3 to 5 weeks to attain their desired visual goals. You’ll continue to wear your UV protective glasses in between modifications.
Once you and your ophthalmologist are satisfied with your new vision, the power and shape of the Light Adjustable Lens will be locked in during two final light treatments. These final light treatments will prevent the IOL from changing further, allowing you to enjoy a lifetime of crystal-clear vision.
After your final light treatment, you’ll no longer need to wear protective glasses. At that point, UV light won’t modify the shape or power of the Light Adjustable Lens.
You’ll have sharper, crisper vision, enabling you to see the world with astounding clarity.
Reasons to Select the Light Adjustable Lens
There are plenty of reasons to choose the Light Adjustable Lens, like:
Greater Precision
Both standard and premium IOLs help patients see clearly after cataract surgery. However, many patients don’t reach their vision goals after cataract surgery.
That’s because these IOLs come in a fixed range of power. Before your cataract procedure, your surgeon will take measurements to help them estimate the best IOL for your eyes based on your vision needs and lifestyle.
These measurements are often not perfectly accurate for each patient for various reasons, such as how the eye heals. Other factors, such as a previous vision correction procedure like LASIK or PRK, can make the intraocular lens power selection less accurate than it should be.
Additionally, some cataract surgery patients are born with very steep or flat corneas. The Light Adjustable Lens can be ideal in all these situations as it’s customizable for each patient’s eyes and needs. After cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will modify the lens power to maximize how well you can see.
The Only IOL that You Can Adjust After Cataract Surgery
With other intraocular lenses, you can’t change the lens power after having cataract surgery if you’re not satisfied with the quality of your vision. In such a case, your next best option would be to have a vision correction procedure like LASIK following cataract surgery.
After implanting the Light Adjustable Lens and your eye heals, you’ll test various options and choose what you want your new vision to be like. Your ophthalmologist will then adjust the lens power and shape to give you the best possible sight.
Better Vision Quality
The Light Adjustable Lens makes it possible to achieve accurate vision correction tailored to your specific vision needs. This results in better visual quality compared to other intraocular lenses.
Can Correct Multiple Refractive Errors
The Light Adjustable Lens can treat farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. With this IOL, you’ll likely experience clear vision while reducing your dependence on contact lenses and glasses after cataract surgery.
No Visual Disturbances
The Light Adjustable Lens is made from a photosensitive material that prevents halos and glare post-surgery. After the procedure, you can look forward to clearer vision without worrying about halos and glare.
Achieve Custom Vision with the Light Adjustable Lens
Evergreen Eye Center is excited to offer the Light Adjustable Lens to deliver custom vision. The IOL uses cutting-edge technology that allows us to perfect your prescription, helping you attain the vision of your dreams.
Are you interested in the Light Adjustable Lens? Schedule your appointment today at Evergreen Eye Center to determine if this incredible IOL could be right for you!