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Light Adjustable Lens FAQs

Light Adjustable Lens FAQs

Before Your Surgery

How do I know if I have a cataract and how can it be treated?
If images that you used to see clearly have become blurred or bright colors dull, or if your glasses don’t seem to help with reading and other tasks, you may have a cataract in one or both eyes. You should see your eye care professional for a thorough examination to be sure.

Fortunately, major advances have been made in recent years in treating cataracts.  You can have surgery to remove the cataract and replace it with a new, clear lens that can restore your vision and enhance the quality of your life. Cataract surgery is very commonly practiced today – more than 18 million procedures are performed every year around the world. The surgery is generally a simple outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort and most patients return home the same day and resume their normal activities shortly thereafter.

What is the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)?
When you have cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens from your eye, and replaces it with an artificial lens implant. The standard lens implant widely used today will give you good vision, but it is usually not perfect. So when you return to your eye doctor after the surgery, he will typically prescribe glasses to help you see better.

The Light Adjustable Lens by Calhoun Vision is a unique alternative to a traditional lens implant.  It is a major breakthrough in the field because it is the only lens in the world whose power can be adjusted to your individual needs AFTER it is inserted into your eye. Two weeks after surgery, the doctor measures your vision, and then shines a special ultraviolet light on your eye, which causes the lens to change power. This improves your vision and makes it quite likely that you will be able to see very well at all distances and can perform all your normal daily activities without the need for glasses.

How does it work?
The Light Adjustable Lens is made of a photo-sensitive material which changes shape in response to ultraviolet light. The light treatment takes approximately two minutes and is safe and completely painless.  

What are the advantages of the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens is the only lens used in cataract surgery that can be adjusted after it is implanted in your eye. This allows your doctor to change the lens power precisely as your individual visual needs might dictate. It also eliminates the need for additional invasive procedures, such as laser surgery.

Will it correct my reading vision?
Yes, the Light Adjustable Lens can give you good reading vision without glasses. It can also give you good intermediate vision, so you can read your computer screen, the dashboard on your car and labels on products in the supermarket. Your doctor will discuss with you the many options that exist for correcting your reading vision.

How much does it cost?
You should consult with your doctor about the cost of the procedure.

Can any eye doctor give me the Light Adjustable Lens?
No. Only expert cataract surgeons, who have the approved equipment and are specially trained in the insertion and adjustment of the Calhoun Vision Light Adjustable Lens can offer it to their patients.

How do I know if the Light Adjustable Lens is right for me?
Most cataract surgery patients are good candidates for the Light Adjustable Lens. If you are looking for your best vision after cataract surgery, without needing to wear glasses, you may be a good candidate. Please consult your eye doctor to determine if the Light Adjustable Lens is right for you.

During Your Procedure

Are there risks associated with the Light Adjustable Lens?
Cataract surgery like all surgery carries some risks. Surgery to implant the Light Adjustable Lens generally has the same risks as surgery to implant any intraocular lens. You will need to use eyewear that your surgeon will provide, after your surgery, to protect your eyes from normal daylight, until the doctor adjusts the lens. Failure to do so could lead to complications. Please consult your doctor for an eye examination so that he may explain your risk of complications.

Post Procedure Recovery and Care

How long does the lens last?
The lens will last forever. It should never need to be removed or replaced. The adjustments of the lens power are also permanent.

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