Light Adjustable Lens

A man and woman smile together while holding a surfboard, showcasing their excitement for a day at the beach

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens of your eye, causing things to look blurry, hazy, or less colorful. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process and, over time, can lead to vision loss and blindness. When a cataract interferes with your usual activities, such as reading and driving, your physician will likely recommend cataract surgery.
Comparison of a clear lens and a cloudy lens, highlighting the clarity difference in visual quality and light transmission

How are Cataracts Treated?

The only treatment for cataracts is to remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens. This lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract removal surgery is the most common procedure in the world and is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed today. Cataract surgery can also offer the opportunity to correct other visual problems you may experience such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (irregularly shaped lens), or presbyopia (diminishing ability to focus with age).
A diagram illustrating various types of lenses, including convex, concave, and cylindrical, with labeled features

Selecting the Right IOL

Until very recently, all IOLs were fixed lenses, without the ability to be adjusted after surgery. In this traditional workflow, your eye doctor uses pre-surgery eye measurements to estimate the power and type of fixed IOL he or she thinks will provide you with the best vision after surgery.

Despite the number of measurements used to select the IOL and predict the visual outcome, only about 50% of patients achieve their targeted distance vision without glasses, and an even smaller percentage achieve excellent vision at all distances. If the visual target is not achieved, this can only be corrected by glasses, contacts, additional surgery, or by lens removal and replacement. Now, with the advent of adjustable IOLs, this is no longer the case.
Two older women smiling and posing together for a selfie, capturing a joyful moment of friendship

Light Adjustable Lens From RxSight®

With the Light Adjustable Lens, you can now customize your vision after your cataract surgery. You will have the unique ability to adjust and preview your vision based on your personal desires and lifestyle requirements. The Light Adjustable Lens delivers superior visual outcomes that fixed IOLs cannot match. In a study of 600 subjects, those who received the Light Adjustable Lens followed by adjustments were twice as likely to achieve 20/20 distance vision at 6 months without glasses as those who received a standard (fixed) monofocal IOL.
1. US FDA. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness (SSED) of Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device system
A white sphere adorned with intricate blue lines, creating a visually striking pattern on its surface

How Does the Light Adjustable Lens Work?

The Light Adjustable Lens is made of a special photosensitive material that changes the shape and power of your implanted lens in response to ultraviolet (UV) light to optimize your vision. These light treatments are delivered at the Vision Adjustment Center with the Light Delivery Device (LDD) after your eye has healed.
An illustration depicting the effects of UV light exposure on various surfaces and materials under different conditions.

How Does the Light Adjustable Lens Work?

Illustration depicting how light adjustable lens work
Macromers/polymers are not visible in the lens, and graphic is used only as an illustration

Surgical Implantation

If you select the Light Adjustable Lens, the first step is to have your cataract safely removed and the adjustable IOL implanted. The cataract removal and IOL implantation procedure is the same as if you selected a fixed IOL.
Diagram illustrating the structure of the lens and lens capsule in the human eye, highlighting their anatomical features
A senior man is engaged in an eye examination with an eye examining instrument

After Cataract Surgery

After your Light Adjustable Lens has been implanted in your eye, it is adjusted to deliver the customized vision you desire.
Following surgery there are two major differences with an adjustable lens compared to a fixed lens:

A visual comparison of two images depicting the different wear or UV protective glasses and completion of light treatments in eye care practices

UV Protective Glasses

Exposure to outdoor sources of UV light (and unusual indoor sources, such as UV tanning beds) can cause uncontrolled changes to the Light Adjustable Lens. To prevent this, you will be provided with UV protective glasses to wear immediately following surgery (from time of lens implantation until after the last light treatment is completed). Twenty-four hours after your final light treatment, no further changes can be made to the implanted Light Adjustable Lens, and you can remove the UV protective glasses and enjoy your custom vision!
Two pairs of black sunglasses featuring clear lenses, displayed side by side on a neutral background

How Are the Light Treatments Performed?

Once your eye has healed, usually around 4 weeks after your surgery, you will visit the Vision Adjustment Center to have your vision tested. During this visit you will be able to preview and compare possible vision outcomes based on your unique preferences and lifestyle requirements before selecting a prescription for your adjustable lens. To receive the light treatment, you will be placed in front of the Light Delivery Device (LDD). The LDD non-invasively delivers the UV light to precisely reshape your Light Adjustable Lens based on the visual correction that is needed to target your custom prescription.
Vision testing being done for an elderly male patient by a lady ophthalmologist

Light Treatment Schedule

Between 3 and 5 total light treatments, each lasting approximately 90 seconds and usually separated by one week, are required. The total number of light treatments is based on achievement of the desired vision outcome that you and your doctor select. Once you have achieved your final optimal vision, the lens power is permanently locked in with two final light treatments to prevent any further changes.
A visual representation of a light treatment schedule, detailing times and durations for therapy sessions

Who Can Benefit?

The advanced technology involved in the Light Adjustable Lens is not covered by medical insurance. The additional costs must be paid for by the patient. However, you will enjoy the benefits of optimizing and customizing your vision every waking moment of every day! It is by far the most beneficial luxury you will ever experience.
An elderly woman wearing earbuds and a headband, focused and enjoying her music while jogging

Important Safety Information

Approved use: The Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device (LDD) system is approved for patients who have a cataract and need surgery for it, have corneal astigmatism (at least 0.75 diopters) before surgery, and do not have preexisting macular disease.

Who should not receive this treatment? The Light Adjustable Lens and LDD system should not be used if you are taking medications that may increase your sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light; if you are taking a medication that is considered harmful to your retina; if you have a history of herpes eye infection or uncontrollable eye movements (nystagmus); or if you are unable to comply with your doctor’s schedule of LDD light treatments and instructions for wearing special UV-protective glasses for several weeks following cataract surgery.

What warnings should I be aware of? Preexisting macular disease and certain eye conditions may increase the risk of complications. Your doctor will determine if you are a good candidate for the Light Adjustable Lens. If you have any complications during your cataract surgery before the Light Adjustable Lens is implanted, you may need to have another intraocular lens (IOL) implanted instead of the Light Adjustable Lens.

What precautions should I be aware of? The safety and effectiveness of the Light Adjustable Lens and LDD have not been established in patients with certain preexisting eye conditions or in patients who experience certain complications during cataract surgery. You should discuss these issues with your doctor. Following surgery, you must wear the special UV-protective glasses during all waking hours for about 4 to 5 weeks and comply with your doctor’s schedule of LDD light treatments. Failure to wear the UV-protective glasses can result in an unpredicted vision change or loss of vision quality after exposure to UV light, such as from sunlight. This may require a second surgery to remove the Light Adjustable Lens from your eye and replace it with another IOL.

What are the potential risks? As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with cataract surgery and IOL implantation. Please discuss these risks with your doctor. Potential risks associated with LDD light treatments include mild alterations to color perceptions; temporary scratchiness, irritation, or dryness to the front part of your eye; and activation of a previously undiagnosed herpes eye infection. Longer lasting and serious adverse events related to the UV light exposure are possible, but rare. There is a small chance that your vision could be made worse or that you may require additional surgery as a result of a complication.

Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Vision Adjustment Center Logo