"With the Light Adjustable Lens, for the first time you will be able to truly design your own vision after your cataract surgery".
The RxSight™ Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is the first and only intraocular lens (IOL) that can be customized after cataract surgery. The Light Adjustable Lens is made of a special photosensitive material that can be adjusted in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. This optimization is done by your eye doctor in the weeks following lens implantation through a series of non-invasive light treatments that take only a few minutes each. You will have the unique ability to adjust and preview your vision until it meets your personal desires and lifestyle requirements. The Light Adjustable Lens delivers superior vision outcomes that non-adjustable IOLs cannot match.
Light Adjustable Lens Fast Facts
• The first and only adjustable intraocular lens (IOL) that allows your physician to customize your vision after your cataract surgery
• Patients 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
• The cataract removal and IOL implantation procedure is the same as if you selected a non-adjustable IOL
• 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
• You will have the unique ability to preview and compare possible vision outcomes based on your preferences and lifestyle requirements
• Light treatments that precisely reshape your implanted lens are delivered in your doctor’s office to adjust your vision to the desired target
• Light treatments are painless, non-invasive, and last approximately 90 seconds. (You may need 2 to 4 total light treatments over a period of 1 to 2 weeks to reach your vision goals)
• You will need to wear special UV protective glasses during all waking hours (from time of lens implantation until after the last light treatment is completed) to prevent exposure to indoor and outdoor sources of UV light that can cause uncontrolled changes to the Light Adjustable Len
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does the Light Adjustable Lens™ work?
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL®) is made of a special photosensitive material that changes the shape and power of
the implanted lens in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. The light treatments are delivered by the RxSight Light
Delivery Device (LDD), which are done in your doctor's office. What makes the Light Adjustable Lens so unique is
that these changes are made to the lens after it has been implanted in your eye and you have healed from surgery.
What should I expect in the period after cataract surgery?
Please follow all instructions provided to you by your eye doctor and staff, including use of the UV-blocking glasses
that will be provided to you. As with any cataract surgery, your vision may not be perfect after surgery. While your
eye doctor selected the lens they anticipated would give you the best possible vision, it was only an estimate.
Fortunately, you have selected the Light Adjustable Lens! In the following weeks, you and your eye doctor will
work together to optimize your vision. Please make sure to pay close attention to your vision and be prepared to
discuss preferences with your eye doctor.
Why do I have to wear UV-blocking glasses?
The UV-blocking glasses you are provided with protect the Light Adjustable Lens from UV light sources other than
the LDD that your doctor will use to optimize your vision. Exposing the Light Adjustable Lens to other UV light
sources can potentially change the lens correction in an uncontrolled manner. If you do not wear the provided UV-
blocking eyewear, your vision may not improve or it could get worse. If this happens, please contact your
physician.
How long do I have to wear the UV-blocking glasses?
The UV-blocking glasses should be worn at all times until your eye doctor tells you that you no longer need to wear
them (usually 24 hours after your final light treatment). Total wear is typically about 4-5 weeks in duration,
however, this may vary depending on the number of light treatments delivered.
Can I wear my regular sunglasses that have UV protection?
No. You should wear the UV-blocking glasses provided to you. These glasses have a special protective coating that
no other glasses have.
What happens if I lose or break my UV-blocking glasses?
Please notify your eye doctor/clinic as soon as possible if one of your two pairs of UV-blocking glasses are lost,
damaged or unwearable, and then continue to wear the other pair. If both pairs are lost or damaged, wear the
darkest sunglasses you have and contact your eye doctor/clinic.
What can or can I not do after surgery?
Showering - If there is a window or possible direct sunlight in your shower, please wear the UV-blocking
glasses in the shower or consider showering after the sun has gone down or before it comes up. If there is
no direct sunlight, you do not need to wear your UV-blocking glasses when you shower. However, please
put them on immediately afterwards.
Sports - Your eye doctor will advise you when you can return to sports. Your return to more impactful
activities may need to be delayed until all light treatments are complete to guarantee a stable Light
Adjustable Lens for light treatments.
Tanning Studio - A tanning studio bed is a very strong source of UV light, and should be avoided until all
light treatments are complete and you have been advised that you can remove your UV-blocking glasses.
Makeup - Your eye doctor will advise you when you can return to wearing eye makeup. Be careful when
removing eye make-up and do not place excessive pressure on the eye. Permanent make-up should be
delayed until the eye is considered fully healed by your eye doctor.
Travel - Travel is not impacted. Be sure to remember to bring all of your UV-blocking glasses with you. Be
particularly diligent in protecting the eyes from UV sources in unfamiliar environment.
Work - Work is not impacted, unless your profession puts you at a higher risk of UV exposure. Please
remember to wear your UV-blocking glasses at work until you are told by your eye doctor that it is no
longer necessary.
Laser Hair Removal - It is recommended that you wait until all light treatments are complete and you
have been advised that you can remove your UV-blocking glasses before proceeding with hair removal
(IPL) treatments (different IPL devices use different wavelengths). This should include other facial beauty
treatments that use light sources.
What should I do if I forgot to wear my UV-blocking glasses?
It is very important that you do not forget to wear your UV-blocking glasses. However, if you do forget, please put
them on as soon as you remember.
How many total light treatments will I need?
Between 1 and 3 light treatments, each lasting approximately 90 seconds and separated by approximately 3 days,
are required. The total number of light treatments is based on the 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 two final light treatments to prevent any further changes.
Are the light treatments painful?
Numbing drops will be applied to your eye. There may be some mild pressure or discomfort, and some patients
have perceived the treatment to be bright, however the light treatments should not be painful.
What should I expect after each light treatment?
Your vision may be blurry immediately after each treatment due to a gel used during application of the light
treatment, but this should resolve quickly. Additionally, your eye may be dilated for the treatment, which may
require wearing the tinted UV-blocking glasses for a few hours. It may take approximately 24 hours after each light
treatment to notice an improvement in your vision. The light from the LDD may also cause a temporary or long-
lasting pink or red afterimage, which is common with a light source directed to the eye. This tinge to your vision is
especially noticeable on things that normally look white, but should resolve before your next light treatment.
Speak with your doctor if the pink or red after image remains.
Contact Cape Fear Eye Associates for Cataract Surgery
If you are in need of cataract surgery, our North Carolina eye centers in the Fayetteville area can provide you with high-quality, state-of-the-art surgical treatment to successfully remove your cataracts and restore your vision.
To schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists call 910-484-2284.