How long does the adjustment process take?
Most patients complete the entire adjustment and lock-in process within 4 to 6 weeks after their initial surgery. This timeline depends on your individual healing rate, as your eye must fully stabilize during the first two weeks before adjustments can begin. Most individuals require 2 to 4 painless light treatments spaced a few days apart to perfectly customize their prescription. Once your optimal vision is achieved, two final 'lock-in' treatments are performed to permanently fix the lens power.
Will I still need glasses after LAL surgery?
The Light Adjustable Lens offers the highest probability of achieving complete freedom from glasses because you can customize your vision after the eye heals. If you choose to optimize both eyes for crisp distance vision, you will likely only need mild reading glasses for close-up tasks. Alternatively, many patients choose a 'blended vision' setting that allows them to read, use computers, and drive safely without any glasses at all. Your dependence on glasses ultimately depends on the custom lifestyle goals you choose during your adjustments.
Are Light Adjustable Lenses safe?
Yes, the Light Adjustable Lens system is exceptionally safe and fully FDA-approved. The initial implantation uses the exact same, highly perfected microsurgery technique relied upon in millions of standard cataract surgeries worldwide. The subsequent adjustments are entirely non-invasive and utilize a specific, low-intensity wavelength of UV light that is completely harmless to the internal structures of your eye. Furthermore, by allowing your doctor to correct minor errors after surgery, the LAL eliminates the need for riskier surgical touch-ups later on.
Can the LAL correct astigmatism?
Yes, exceptionally well. In fact, because astigmatism can be unpredictable to correct before surgery, the LAL is one of the most precise options available for it. Because your surgeon corrects the astigmatism after the eye has completely healed from the incision, the precision of the correction is unmatched by traditional lenses.
Is the LAL procedure covered by insurance or Medicare?
Medicare and private insurance companies typically cover the base cost of standard cataract surgery, including the removal of the cataract and a basic, single-focus lens. Because the Light Adjustable Lens is an advanced, premium technology requiring specialized post-operative equipment and multiple adjustments, there is an out-of-pocket out-of-network or premium upgrade fee. Our patient coordinators will provide a detailed breakdown of costs during your consultation.
What if my vision changes years after my Light Adjustable Lenses are implanted?
Once the lens is locked in, the material becomes completely inert and cannot be adjusted with UV light again. However, the LAL does not degrade or change over time. If your vision changes years later due to natural aging of the retina or other eye structures, your vision can still be corrected using standard options like glasses, contact lenses, or a minor laser touch-up (like LASIK or PRK).