Can Light Adjustable Lenses Help Correct Your Eyes for Reading?
August 8, 2023
When undergoing cataract surgery, it can be difficult to foresee which option is right for you and your vision needs. Thankfully, there have been many advances in lens technology over the years, with one of the newest being the light adjustable lens (LAL). The LAL is a type of intraocular lens (IOL) option that is used during cataract surgery. LALs are unique in that they are made of a special photo-sensitive material that changes the power of your lens in response to UV light, which offers overall optimal vision. Read on to learn more about these lenses and the benefits they offer, especially regarding reading.
Clearer Vision
One of the major benefits of the LAL is its adjustability. Since it allows your doctor to fine tune your vision after surgery, it allows the opportunity to give you your best possible vision. Like all monofocal IOLs, the LAL offers clear vision at one distance (either far or near) and can significantly improve how clear your vision can be while wearing glasses. These lenses can be used to correct refractive errors such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.
Highly Customizable
Unlike other IOLS, these lenses are highly customizable since the prescription is applied to the lens after surgery. This lens adjustment is achieved through a series of light treatments in the office. Once your optimal vision is reached, the prescription is locked in.
Shorter Treatment Duration and Improved Results
After receiving LALs, patients can begin to make adjustments to their vision through light treatments only a few weeks after surgery. Plus, LALs have been linked to outstanding results; a recent study found that patients who receive LALs are twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision than those who receive standard IOLs.[1]
Schedule a Consultation
The LAL is a particularly good lens option for those who have undergone refractive surgeries such as LASIK, or those with thick cataracts. If you are interested in learning more about LALs and if they are right for you, contact Anh Nguyen Ophthalmology in Falls Church, VA today to schedule a consultation.
[1] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf16/P160055B.pdf
