Throughout the years, as the field of ophthalmology has evolved, great efforts and great advancements have been made in terms of being able to measure the eye and determine the best lens implant power for a given patient. Despite these numerous advances in modern cataract surgery technologies, there are a variety of individual factors affecting each patient individually that can result in some variability of outcomes. To address this issue, RxSight has developed the first IOL that allows our doctors to optimize your vision after your cataract surgery with a simple in office application of light to adjust the focusing power of the lens. Using the Light Adjustable Lens, we now have the unique ability to adjust and fine tune the power of the lens implant once inside the eye. This also allows one to preview and adjust the vision until it meets your personal desires and lifestyle requirements. This optimization is performed by our doctors after lens implantation through a series of light treatment procedures in the office that take only a few minutes each.

The Light Adjustable Lens delivers superior vision outcomes that non-adjustable IOLs cannot match. In a study of 600 subjects, those who received the Light Adjustable Lens followed by adjustments were twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision at 6 months without glasses as those who received a standard monofocal IOL.

Reno patient, Judith, elected for light adjustable lenses for her cataract surgery. Judith travels the world and wanted to be able to see clearly without glasses or contacts.

“It’s it’s been absolutely fabulous, I see so clear,” she said. “I told him after the first eye, ‘Dr. Mills, I can see the small letters in my bible, I’m so excited! I can see everything and everything is so bright and clear. No more contacts, no more glasses and I’m really happy.'”

What You Need to Know About Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye, causing blurry vision. Most cataracts are related to aging and, over time, can lead to vision loss. When a cataract interferes with your usual activities, such as reading and driving, your physician will likely recommend cataract surgery. During cataract surgery, your lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. This lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is the most common procedure in the world and is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed today.

Cataract surgery can also offer the opportunity to correct other vision problems you may be experiencing, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (irregularly shaped lens), or presbyopia (diminishing ability to focus with age).

Achieve Customized Vision with the Light Adjustable Lens

The Light Adjustable Lens is made of a special photosensitive material that changes the shape and power of your implanted lens in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. Light treatments are delivered in your doctor’s office with the Light Delivery Device (LDD) after your eye has healed.

To customize your vision, you will preview and compare possible vision outcomes with your doctor based on your unique preferences and lifestyle requirements before electing a prescription for your adjustable lens. Your doctor will then apply a proprietary light treatment that precisely reshapes your implanted lens based on the visual correction that is needed to target your custom prescription.

Light Treatments to Customize Your Lens

With your doctor’s input, the LDD noninvasively delivers UV light to your Light Adjustable Lens to adjust your vision to the desired target. The system gives your doctor the flexibility to make adjustments and refinements to meet your specific criteria. A minimum of two light treatments—each lasting approximately 90 seconds—are required. The total number of light treatments is based on achievement of the desired visual outcome that you and your doctor selected. Once you have achieved your final optimal vision, the lens power is permanently locked with a final light treatment to prevent any further changes. When you experience the results of your adjustments, you will better understand the value of adjusting and customizing your vision after your surgery.

Light Adjustable Lens Fast Facts

Who Can Benefit From the Light Adjustable Lens?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device for patients with preexisting astigmatism of 0.75 diopters or more who are undergoing cataract surgery. Ask your doctor to explain the possible risks and benefits of cataract surgery at your next appointment.

What to Expect After Surgery

In the weeks following your surgery, you and your doctor will work together to optimize your vision using UV light treatments. During this period, you will need to wear UV-blocking glasses provided to you by your doctor. These glasses will protect your eyes from exposure to all other sources of indoor and outdoor UV light, which can cause uncontrolled changes to the Light Adjustable Lens. The UV protective glasses must be worn during all waking hours, from the time of lens implantation until 24 hours after your last light treatment is completed. At that point, no further changes can be made to the implanted Light Adjustable Lens, and you can remove the UV protective glasses and enjoy your custom vision!