Light Adjustable Lens (RxSight LAL and LAL+)
The only lens implant whose power can be adjusted after it is in your eye, so your vision is tested in real life before the prescription is locked in.
With every other lens implant, the power is chosen from measurements before surgery and cannot be changed afterward. The RxSight Light Adjustable Lens is made of a light-sensitive material. A few weeks after cataract surgery, once the eye has healed, Dr. Feiz uses a series of short in-office ultraviolet light treatments to reshape the lens and fine-tune your distance vision, astigmatism and, with LAL+, range of focus. When you are happy with the result, two final treatments lock the lens in permanently. Dr. Feiz offers both the LAL and LAL+, and every light treatment is done right here at Eye Care of East Bay in Walnut Creek, with no trips to another facility.
Who it suits best
- Patients who had LASIK, PRK or RK. Previous laser vision correction makes lens calculations less predictable. Being able to adjust after surgery removes most of that uncertainty. (See cataract surgery after LASIK.)
- Patients with astigmatism who want sharp distance vision without glasses.
- Patients who want to “try before they buy,” for example testing blended vision (one eye set slightly for near) before it is made permanent.
- Precise people: engineers, pilots, golfers, anyone for whom “close enough” isn't good enough.
Who should consider a different lens
Whether the Light Adjustable Lens is right for you is decided at your eye exam. Some reasons it may not be a good fit, such as a pupil that does not dilate well, only show up during the exam. Others include:
- Being unable to commit to the extra visits, or to wearing UV-protective glasses until lock-in.
- Taking medications that increase sensitivity to light, or a history of herpes eye infection.
- Significant macular disease.
How it works, step by step
- Cataract surgery — the same procedure, and the same day-of experience, as any lens implant.
- Healing, about 2–3 weeks — you wear the supplied UV-blocking glasses whenever you are awake, indoors and outdoors.
- Adjustment visits — each light treatment takes about 1–2 minutes per eye. Most patients need 2–3 adjustments, a few days apart, while they compare their vision at home, at work and behind the wheel. All treatments are done at our Walnut Creek office.
- Lock-in — two final lock-in treatments make the lens permanent. After that, the UV glasses are no longer needed.
Total time from surgery to final vision is typically 6–8 weeks.
LAL vs. LAL+
| LAL | LAL+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | The sharpest possible distance vision | Distance plus a little more intermediate range |
| Halos at night | Same as a standard lens | Same as a standard lens |
| Glasses | Readers for near | Readers for small print, often less often |
Neither lens produces the rings or halos sometimes seen with multifocal lenses, which makes the Light Adjustable Lens a common choice for night drivers. Compare every option on premium lens implants.
Cost
The Light Adjustable Lens is a premium lens. Insurance continues to cover the cataract surgery itself. The lens, all adjustment treatments and both lock-in treatments are an added out-of-pocket fee of $5,000 per eye. Monthly payment plans are available through CareCredit. Insurance & financing →
Not having a cataract yet? The Light Adjustable Lens is also available through refractive lens exchange.
Discuss the Light Adjustable Lens with Dr. FeizCall 925-705-7299
Frequently asked questions
Is the Light Adjustable Lens better than PanOptix or Vivity?
It's different, not better. PanOptix gives the most glasses-free range but can cause halos. Vivity gives a wide range with few halos. The Light Adjustable Lens gives the most precise result, because it is adjusted in your own eye after healing. Dr. Feiz will recommend a lens based on your eyes and how you use them.
Does it hurt to adjust the lens?
No. You sit at a device similar to the one used for an eye exam, with a numbing drop and a contact lens on the eye, for about two minutes. Most patients have 2–3 adjustment treatments followed by two lock-in treatments, all in Walnut Creek.
Why do I need to wear UV glasses?
Until it is locked in, the lens responds to ultraviolet light, including sunlight. The glasses protect it from unplanned changes. After lock-in, you no longer need them.
Can I have the Light Adjustable Lens after LASIK?
Yes. This is one of the groups that benefits most, because prior LASIK makes standard lens calculations less accurate. See cataract surgery after LASIK.
How much does the Light Adjustable Lens cost?
$5,000 per eye beyond what insurance covers for cataract surgery, including all light adjustments and lock-in treatments. Financing is available through CareCredit. Insurance & financing →
Can it be used for refractive lens exchange without a cataract?
Yes. Dr. Feiz offers the Light Adjustable Lens for refractive lens exchange as well as for cataract surgery. It is a good option for people who want to stop depending on glasses or contacts.