Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)
RxSight Light Adjustable Lens in Washington, D.C.
Eye Doctors of Washington is excited to be the first vision practice in Washington, D.C. to offer the Light Adjustable Lens™ from RxSight®. This revolutionary intraocular lens (IOL) is the only lens that allows us to adjust a patient’s vision after cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange (RLE) for a more precise level of vision correction. Our experienced surgeons and eye doctors are committed to providing the most advanced eye care treatments available and we look forward to helping patients reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts.
What is a Light Adjustable IOL?
The light adjustable IOL (LAL) is an advanced IOL that can replace the eye’s natural lens during cataract surgery. Cataracts are a buildup of protein that occur as part of the aging process and cause blurred vision. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an IOL. At Eye Doctors of Washington, we offer a range of IOL options, from standard IOLs that correct at a single distance to advanced multifocal IOLs that can correct at multiple distances.
The light adjustable lens is truly unique because it is the only lens in which the prescription can be changed after it is implanted. This lens was created using a specialized photoreactive material. A few weeks after cataract surgery, when your eyes have healed, you will return to our office so your eye doctor can fine-tune your LAL prescription in a simple and non-invasive UV light procedure.
The most significant benefit of the light adjustable lens is that it can be adjusted to give you more accurate vision correction and increase the likelihood that you will be able to see clearly without glasses after your cataract surgery.1
Our goal is always to give patients the best vision correction possible, but depending on the IOL they choose and other factors, some patients find that they still need glasses after surgery—which prompts some to seek out additional refractive surgery.2 Patients who choose the light adjustable lens will be able to make changes to their lens prescription with a quick, simple, and painless treatment in the weeks after surgery. In clinical studies, patients who received the light adjustable lens were reported to be twice as likely to achieve 20/20 distance vision compared to patients who received standard IOLs.3
An added benefit of the light adjustable lens is that it may be a superior option for patients who have previously had vision correction surgery such as LASIK or PRK, as it may allow them to avoid the need for glasses or additional surgery to correct vision issues that may occur due to irregularities of the cornea.4
What To Expect With the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens
Before Your Cataract Surgery
The first step is a consultation appointment during which your doctor will examine your eyes and discuss your goals to determine if the light adjustable lens is right for you. Your eye doctor will go over your treatment plan and give you detailed pre-surgical instructions.
During Your Cataract Surgery
At your surgical appointment, your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops and intravenous anesthesia may also be administered to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Your eye’s natural lens will then be replaced with the light adjustable lens.
After Cataract Surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens
You will need to wear special protective glasses to safeguard your eyes from UV light while you are healing; this is very important because exposure to UV light can interfere with the customization period of your lens. You will no longer need the glasses once your eye doctor has completed your LAL customization appointments.
LAL Customization Treatments
We will arrange for you to return to Eye Doctors of Washington in the weeks following your surgery for your customization treatments. Your eye doctor will evaluate your vision in order to determine what adjustments should be made. For the adjustment, you will sit in front of a specialized Light Delivery Device (LDD) that will be used to fine-tune your IOL prescription. These treatments typically take less than 5 minutes and are completely non-invasive and pain-free. You may require up to 4 treatments, several days apart, to optimize your prescription.
Candidates for the Light Adjustable Lens
If you are a candidate for cataract surgery or RLE, the light adjustable lens may be an option if you:
- Are seeking correction for astigmatism
- Are not using medications that increase UV light sensitivity
- Are not considered high risk for retinal detachment or damage
- Have no history of eye infections or uncontrollable eye movements
Contact Eye Doctors of the Washington About the Light Adjustable Lens
The team at The Eye Doctors of Washington, including our highly experienced cataract surgeons, are dedicated to improving your vision. We offer a full range of IOL options, along with advanced cataract surgery technology, and we look forward to helping you choose the IOL that is best for you. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation appointment.
1 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Adjustable IOL Could Help Some Ditch Their Glasses After Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/new-iol-adjustable-after-cataract-surgery?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8NHr27nw6AIVSx-tBh0pRg6kEAMYASAAEgIzE_D_BwE. Accessed April 30, 2020.
2 Bethke, W. RXLAL: say goodbye to postop surprise? Review of Ophthalmology. 2018:25(1): 12-13, 66. Available: https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/CMSDocuments/2018/01/rp0118i.pdf. Accessed November 12, 2020.
3 US Food and Drug Administration. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness (SSED) of Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device system. Available: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf16/P160055B.pdf. Accessed November 12, 2020.
4 Cezon J. Case Study: The LAL in a Postrefractive Patient. Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today. Nov/Dec 2011:33.
