Angie Answers Common Questions about Cataract Surgery
March 9, 2023Celebrating the Success of Two Exceptional Commonwealth Eye Surgery Technicians
October 9, 2023
When it comes to maintaining clear vision, cataracts can be a significant hurdle, clouding our sight as we age. Cataract surgery has been a revolutionary solution, transforming countless lives by restoring visual clarity. But what if we told you there’s an even more personalized and precise way to experience the world after cataract surgery? Commonwealth Eye Surgery proudly introduces the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL), an innovative breakthrough that brings cataract surgery to a whole new level.
Understanding Cataracts and Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, causing the eye’s natural lens to become cloudy and impairing vision. The gold standard treatment for cataracts is to surgically remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure is the most commonly performed surgery worldwide and boasts remarkable success rates. Beyond simply treating cataracts, Advanced Cataract Surgery with Lifestyle Lenses can also address other vision issues, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Cataract Eye Healthy Eye
The Art of IOL Selection
Traditionally, the selection of an IOL has been based on pre-surgery eye measurements, aiming to provide the best vision possible post-surgery. However, these predictions are estimates, and variations in healing can lead to outcomes that are only close to the optimal result. This often necessitates additional interventions such as glasses to achieve the desired vision.
Enter the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) marks a monumental leap in the field of cataract surgery. As the world’s first and only lens designed to be adjusted post-surgery, LAL offers a level of customization that was previously unthinkable. Developed from a unique photo-sensitive material, the LAL responds to UV light allowing its power to be adjusted after the initial implantation. This innovative approach provides patients with a lens specifically tailored to their eyes and lifestyle.
The Light Adjustable Lens Experience
With other lenses, you have to make a lot of decisions about the vision you want as the result of your cataract surgery. Once implanted, these lenses cannot be changed.
The journey with the Light Adjustable Lens begins just like any cataract surgery. Your cataract is safely removed, and the IOL is implanted – this initial procedure remains the same whether you choose a conventional, Lifestyle Lens, or a Light Adjustable Lens.
With conventional or other Lifestyle Lenses, you have to make a lot of decisions about the vision you want before your cataract surgery. Once implanted, these lenses cannot be changed.
What sets LAL apart is that it’s adjustable. The only decision you have to make before your surgery is to choose the Light Adjustable Lens. The rest can be fine-tuned and adjusted after your cataract surgery for the vision that you want.
After your eye has recovered, you’ll undergo a series of light treatments with the Light Delivery Device. These non-invasive treatments use UV light to adjust the power of your implanted LAL. Typically, between 3 and 5 treatments, including two “lock-in” treatments to prevent further changes, are required. Each light treatment takes about 90 seconds and are spaced roughly 3 days apart. This number varies based on you and your doctor’s desired outcome.
Customized Vision, Unprecedented Confidence
Imagine participating in your vision correction journey like never before. With the Light Adjustable Lens, you and your doctor will collaboratively choose a custom prescription based on your individual eyes and lifestyle needs. This personal touch empowers you with the confidence that your visual outcome will be precisely aligned with your expectations.
Embracing UV Protection
As the Light Adjustable Lens interacts with UV light to achieve adjustments, UV protective glasses are provided to ensure controlled and safe interactions. These glasses should be worn whenever you’re exposed to indoor or outdoor UV light sources. After the final light treatment and 24 hours have passed, your implanted LAL reaches its final state. At this point, you can bid farewell to the UV glasses and enjoy the world with your customized vision.
Cataract surgery has come a long way, and the Light Adjustable Lens is a shining testament to the potential of medical innovation. Commonwealth Eye Surgery is at the forefront of this revolution and the first surgery center in Central Kentucky to offer our patients the chance to not only regain their vision but to tailor it according to their unique preferences. With LAL, the future of cataract surgery has never looked clearer – a world where your vision truly becomes your own.
Call (859) 681-7881 to schedule an evaluation with our experts to learn more about the Light Adjustable Lens.