Light Adjustable Lens Toronto

RxSight LIGHT ADJUSTABLE LENS (LAL)

What is the Light Adjustable Lens?

The Light Adjustable Lens ™ by RxSight is the only adjustable intraocular lens allowing our surgeons the ability to optimize a patient’s vision after cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange.

How Does the Light Adjustable Lens Work?

The Light Adjustable Lens is made up of a photosensitive material that changes in shape by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Once the eye has healed after a cataract or refractive lens exchange procedure, patients will come in for their light adjustment treatments. These quick, non-invasive light adjustments precisely customize the lens to the patient’s target prescription. Once the prescription is on target, it is locked-in with two more treatments.

Lens Exposed to UV Light

Modified Lens Shape

LAL Performed at Herzig Eye Institute

At Herzig Eye Institute, our world-renowned surgeons and staff are certified and trained by RxSight to provide our patients with their best possible vision.

What To Expect

Pre-Operative Appointment
Surgery Day
Post-Operative Appointment
Light Adjustment
Lock-In Adjustment

Pre-Operative Appointment

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) and Refractive Cataract Surgery patients are required to have a pre-operative appointment in which several advanced diagnostic measurements will be taken to determine the appropriate power of the Light Adjustable Lens that will be used during the procedure. 

During the patient’s comprehensive consultation, a Refractive Consultant will provide detailed instructions to prepare for the pre-op appointment. Patients may be required to: 

Switch to glasses and refrain from wearing contact lenses for 1-8 weeks depending on the type of contact lenses worn. 
Have a retina consultation prior to the patient’s procedure to confirm the health of their retina (the back of the eye).  
Follow certain fasting instructions in preparation for IV sedation on the day of the procedure. 
Arrange transportation to and from Herzig Eye Institute on the day of the procedure.

Surgery Day

On the day of the procedure, patients will check in to the centre with a Patient Services Representative, to sign a consent form and pay any outstanding balance. Patients will receive a copy of the consent forms from their Refractive Consultant prior to the surgery. Patients are then guided to the pre-op lounge where our nurses will administer topical anaesthetic numbing drops and dilating drops to prepare the eyes for surgery. The procedure is quick and virtually painless under local anaesthesia with IV sedation. 

Following the procedure, patients will meet with the surgeon to check the positioning of the lens and if all findings are positive, they will be cleared to return home. 

It is recommended for patients to return home and rest as they may be experiencing blurry vision, some discomfort, and sensitivity to light. Discomfort is normal during this time. 

Patients are given a medicated drop regimen which is important to promote healing. The drop schedule will be reviewed with every patient and any questions they may have will be answered by the attending nurse. Any other instructions will be provided by the Refractive Consultant, the nurses, and the surgeon on the day of the procedure.

Light Adjustable Lens patients are required to wear the provided UV-protective glasses/sunglasses after the surgery

Post-Operative Appointment

Patients typically return to Herzig Eye Institute on Day 1 following their procedure, at which point an eye doctor will examine their vision and answer any questions. 

Light Adjustable Lens patients should still be using the UV-protective glasses until they have finished their light adjustment treatments and have completed their lock-in treatment.  

Light Adjustment

Light adjustments treatments start approximately 3-4 weeks after the patient’s procedure to make sure that the eyes have fully healed. Within 3-7 days after the initial adjustment, patients will return to Herzig Eye Institute to be assessed which determines if additional light adjustments are required. Up to 2 more adjustments may be done before the lock-in adjustment. 

Patients should still be using the UV-protective glasses at this time.

Lock-In Adjustment

Once the patient is happy with their vision, 2 sessions of lock-in adjustments are required to be sure that ambient UV light does not change the desired lens power. Until both lock-in adjustments are complete the patient must wear the UV-protective glasses. 

Patients will return to their primary eye care provider for a final examination after the lock-in appointments. We strongly encourage patients to see their optometrists for annual eye exams to maintain the health of their eyes post-operatively.

The UV Protective Glasses

During the light adjustment and lock-in phases of your procedure, you are required to wear the provided UV protective glasses.

Wearing the UV protective glasses prevents UV light from inadvertently altering the power of the lens implants.

LAL FAQ

Patients are required to wear the UV protective glasses until their light adjustment and lock-in treatments are complete.

Patients are advised to wear the UV protective glasses at all waking hours, tinted UV glasses during the day regardless if it is gloomy outside, and clear UV glasses at night.

Patients do not need to wear the UV protective glasses when asleep or in the shower if all the windows are covered. Before uncovering the windows, patients should make sure to wear the UV protective glasses as the sun’s light bounces around interior spaces.

Patients should return to their primary eye care provider for a final examination after all the light adjustment and lock-in treatments are complete.

Light adjustments and lock-in treatments require the patient’s eyes to be fully dilated; therefore, patients will need someone to drive them after each appointment.