A light-adjustable lens is a type of breakthrough technology that can offer an advantage for patients who are receiving cataract surgery. With LAL technology, an ocular surgeon has the power to adjust the lens power after it has been installed in your eye. This allows them to fine-tune your vision following a cataract surgery. This makes this type of lens very attractive for certain patients who would like to have a higher sense of control after they complete a cataract surgery. If you are curious about this type of ocular device, take a look at this guide that describes 5 things to know about light-adjustable lenses.
What Are Light Adjustable Lenses?
Light-adjustable lenses (LALs) are a type of artificial lens that can be installed after a patient has undergone cataract surgery. These lenses are in many ways more powerful than other types of lenses, thanks to the versatility that they offer a patient. A healthcare professional is able to adjust the lens to fit the needs of the patient. This is especially useful for patients with lingering astigmatism or myopia after their procedure.
5 Things to Know About Light Adjustable Lenses
There are several things that are good to know about light-adjustable lenses before you jump into using them as your selection following a cataract surgery.
You Cannot Adjust Them Right Away
One thing to note about light-adjustable lenses is that you will need to wait 2-3 weeks before you can make your first adjustment to them. This means that some patients may be left with a slightly altered field of vision that is less than optimal in the first few weeks following their procedure. That being said, your vision specialist will do their best to ensure that your initial lens status is as dialed in as possible from the get-go.
Light Adjustable Lenses Work Best on Healthy Patients
The ideal candidate for receiving light-adjustable lenses is an individual who has generally healthy eyes, not including the presence of cataracts. In addition, your healthcare professionals will look for the following qualities to determine your eligibility.
- You are in need of cataract surgery
- Are over the age of 18
- You have healthy eyes with no underlying health problems
- Have not had a negative experience with a previous eye surgery
- Have generally realistic expectations for your treatment
LALs Respond to UV Light
The type of light that is utilized to adjust the sensitivity of an LAL is UV light. This is the type of light that a physician will apply to your lenses to make adjustments to their sensitivity. This can occur multiple times before the patients achieve the desired results.
While this may sound laborious, other types of lenses that are applied following cataract surgery require the use of surgery or other tools to adjust, making LALs a much more convenient choice for those who qualify. However, this also means that patients will have to be cautious regarding their sun exposure following their procedure.
LALs Can Reduce Dependency on Other Vision-Correction Devices
Studies have shown that light-adjustable lenses can produce a vision situation post-cataract surgery that accurately fits the needs of most patients. This means that many individuals who utilize these lenses will have a smaller chance of needing to employ glasses or contact lenses to further improve their vision. This has the potential to save an individual a high amount of time and money in the long run.
You Will Wear Protective Glasses During the Adjustment Period
In the first 2-3 weeks before your first adjustment, you will need to wear a set of protective glasses that your physician will prescribe to you to block the ability of UV radiation to hit your eyes. It is essential that you follow any instructions that your physician may have regarding your use of these glasses, and that you use them whenever you think that you may be subjected to high amounts of sun exposure.
You will be given these glasses immediately following the completion of your surgery. The period when you should wear them begins exactly at that time, and you should stay in contact with your medical professional regarding any changes that might impact your ability to wear them.
The Best Ocular Surgeon in Mission Viejo
Dr. Ghosheh and the rest of the staff at Advanced Eye Medical are dedicated to the practice of offering the highest quality eyelid surgeries available. If you are interested in discussing some of the finer points of light-adjustable lenses, contact us today to hold an appointment with our eye surgeon.