LIGHT ADJUSTABLE LENSES - PERSONALIZED LENSES

LAL

IOL process and personalizing your vision after surgery

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DETAILS OF THIS VISION CORRECTION

An adjustable intraocular lens to treat cataracts and presbyopia

AGE

40 years old and more

VISION PROBLEMS

Presbyopia, myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia and cataract

LEVEL INTENSITY

Regular and high

Despite advancements in cataract surgery, many patients are disappointed with the results on their vision. This is because regular intraocular lenses (IOLs) are implanted in the eye without any possibility to adjust the lens after implantation. Therefore, the results depend entirely on the preoperative predictions – sometimes challenging – of the attending surgeon. But rest assured, there is an alternative.

The new Light Adjustable Lenses (LAL) by RxSight™ are the only intraocular lenses that allow your surgeon to optimize your vision after cataract or presbyopia surgery. Light adjustable lenses are made of a special photosensitive material that enables the surgeon to modify the shape – and thus the power – of the lens using a special Light Delivery Device (LDD).

Two to three weeks after the initial surgery, when your eye is fully healed, your surgeon makes the necessary adjustments by shining UV light on your LAL lens, which slightly changes its shape. Depending on your needs, expectations, and lifestyle, three to five adjustments can be made – spaced a few weeks apart – each lasting approximately ninety seconds. Once you have reached your optimal vision, the power of the lens is locked in place using two final light treatments to prevent any changes to your vision. That’s when you will appreciate the incredible added value of being able to personalize and adjust your vision after surgery.

Intraocular lenses often allow for the correction of presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, in addition to cataracts.

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A complete and efficient process

We correct your vision within 2 WEEKS!*

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STEP 1

Online booking

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3 to 4 days

Confirmation e-mail with informative video and online medical history form to be completed prior to visit

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STEP 2

Free evaluation

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1 hour

Tests, visual diagnosis, eligibility verification and information session with clarification about risks, conditions and costs / financing

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STEP 3

Surgery

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1 week

Payment, pre-operative tests, meeting with the surgeon, signature of consents, surgical process, recovery room, post-operative documentation and prescription.

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STEP 4

Post-surgery

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24 to 72 hours

Post-operative check-ups by the surgeon/nurse, followed by one month and another approximately one year later.

*Only for laser surgery. This is an average over the last few years. These periods may vary according to our patient volume.

STEPS AND FOLLOW-UP

In your surgeon’s care from start to finish for professional and reassuring care.

If you suffer from cataracts or presbyopia, you can schedule an appointment at one of our clinics in Gatineau or Montreal. We will ask you to fill out a health questionnaire. Your surgeon will conduct an ophthalmological examination and address your questions.
This preoperative meeting is the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have. At the end of it, you will have the operative consent form as well as all the necessary information and documentation to prepare yourself adequately for your procedure.

It is normal to feel a bit nervous before an eye procedure. To help you relax, it is possible to take an oral sedative. You will then rest for about 20 minutes.

Eye anesthesia is then administered using drops. No injections are necessary. When the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon begins the surgery. The procedure lasts approximately 20 minutes. Afterward, we will invite you to relax for 30 minutes in the recovery room. You can then return home.

During the weeks following your surgery, you will work with your doctor to optimize your vision through UV light treatments at the clinic. For the rest of the time, you will need to wear special glasses provided by your doctor, designed to block UV rays. These special protective glasses must be worn from the lens implantation until 24 hours after completing your last light treatment (usually between 4 and 6 weeks).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where are the LAL lenses placed?

The crystalline lens is the natural lens of the eye. It enables focusing to see close objects. In certain individuals suffering from severe hyperopia, myopia, or presbyopia, the crystalline lens is unable to perform its role properly due to the pronounced defect of the eye. In such cases, the best solution is to replace the crystalline lens with an intraocular lens.

Who shouldn’t undergo this procedure?

Light Adjustable Lenses (LAL) and the Light Delivery Device (LDD) system should not be used if:
You are taking medication that increases your sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light.
You are taking medication that is considered harmful to your retina.
You have a history of eye infection with herpes or uncontrollable eye movement (nystagmus).
You are unable to adhere to your doctor’s schedule for receiving LDD light treatments.
You are unable to comply with your doctor’s instructions to wear UV protection glasses for several (4-6) weeks after surgery.

Are there risks of which I should be aware?

Some eye conditions can increase the risk of complications. Your doctor will determine with you whether you are a candidate for Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) implantation. If a complication were to occur during your surgery before the LAL lens is implanted, it may be necessary to implant another intraocular lens (IOL) instead of the LAL lens.

What are the warnings I should know about?

The safety and effectiveness of the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) and Light Delivery Device (LDD) have not been established in patients with certain pre-existing conditions or in patients who experience complications during cataract surgery. It is important to discuss this with your doctor. Following surgery, you must wear special UV protection glasses between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for 4 to 5 weeks, and comply with the schedule prescribed by your doctor for light treatments (LDD). Failure to wear UV protection glasses may result in unforeseen changes to vision or loss of vision quality due to exposure to UV light, such as sunlight. This may require a second surgery to remove the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) from your eye and replace it with another intraocular lens (IOL).

Is the installation of an intraocular lens dangerous?

Today, thanks to modern microsurgery techniques, eye surgery carries very few serious risks (less than 1%). Therefore, there is generally no need to worry, although it is normal to feel a bit anxious about such an operation.

What are the potential risks?

As with any surgical procedure, cataract and/or presbyopia surgery carries certain risks. It is important to discuss these risks with your doctor. Potential risks associated with light treatment include: slight alteration in color perception, temporary tingling, irritation, or dryness on the front of the eye, and sudden activation of previously undiagnosed eye infection with herpes. Long-term adverse effects due to UV light exposure are possible but rare. There is a very small chance that your vision may worsen or that you may require additional surgery due to complications.

Is the insertion of intraocular lenses a safe and effective procedure?

Yes, since the insertion of intraocular lenses has been performed for years to treat cataracts. Hundreds of thousands of people have undergone this type of surgery with great success. Furthermore, the quality and precision of intraocular lenses have significantly improved, making them effective for correcting various visual problems.

Is this procedure painful?

Things have evolved significantly in the last 15 years, and nowadays, cataract surgery is no longer painful. You will only experience a sensation of pressure and temporary tingling. The procedure lasts 20 minutes, and the patient can resume normal activities the following day. Anesthesia is administered using drops without any injections.

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