Skip to content
FDA-Approved • The Only Adjustable Lens

The Only Lens You Can
Customize After Surgery

With every other lens, your prescription is set before surgery and cannot be changed once the lens is in place. The RxSight® Light Adjustable Lens is different. Your doctor can fine-tune your prescription after surgery using painless light treatments, so your results are based on how you actually see in real life.

Request an Appointment
Light Adjustable Lens for customized vision after cataract surgery in Stamford, CT

Why Patients Choose the Light Adjustable Lens

Think of the Light Adjustable Lens as a “test drive” for your vision. After cataract surgery, you get to try out your new eyesight in everyday life. Go for a drive, read a book, check your phone. Then work with your doctor to fine-tune it before locking it in for good. No other lens gives you this chance.

The LAL is made of a special light-sensitive material that your doctor can reshape after surgery using painless UV light treatments. This is especially helpful if you have had LASIK or PRK in the past, because prior eye surgery can make standard lens calculations less predictable.

  • 2× More Likely to Achieve 20/20
  • 92% Hit Their Target Prescription
  • 74% of Post-LASIK Patients Reach 20/20
  • Lowest Halo & Glare Risk Among Premium Lenses

Is the Light Adjustable Lens Right for You?

The LAL is a great choice if you want the most accurate vision possible and are willing to come in for a few extra office visits to get there.

  • You have had LASIK, PRK, or radial keratotomy in the past and want the most accurate result possible
  • You want the ability to fine-tune your vision after seeing how it works in your daily routine
  • You prefer the lowest possible risk of halos and glare at night
  • You want to try monovision (one eye for distance, one for near) before making it permanent
Good to know: The LAL requires 3 to 5 extra office visits over about 6 to 10 weeks for light treatments and lock-in. You will also wear UV-protective glasses during all waking hours until the lock-in is complete (your doctor will provide specific wearing instructions and three styles of UV glasses are available for your convenience). If you would prefer fewer visits and no adjustment period, a different premium lens like the Vivity or PanOptix may be a better fit.

How the Light Adjustable Lens Works

A lens that adapts to you, not the other way around.

Light-Sensitive Material

The LAL is made from a special silicone that reacts to light. When your doctor aims a specific UV light at the lens, it gently changes shape and adjusts your prescription. Think of it like getting a new pair of glasses, but from inside your eye.

Painless Adjustments

Each light treatment takes about 90 seconds. You simply look at a small light while the device does its work. Most patients need 2 or 3 adjustments over several weeks, and your feedback about how you see in daily life guides each one.

Permanent Lock-In

Once you and your surgeon agree on the best result, two lock-in treatments permanently set your lens. After that, you no longer need the UV glasses. Your lens is stable for life, just like any other implant.

What the Results Show

The LAL has been studied in detail, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Twice the Odds of 20/20

In the FDA clinical trial of 600 patients, those who received the LAL were about twice as likely to see 20/20 without glasses compared to those who received a standard lens. LAL patients saw nearly as well without glasses as the other group did with glasses.

Outstanding After LASIK

In the largest published study of patients who previously had LASIK (76 eyes), 74% achieved 20/20 vision with the LAL. Research also shows that post-surgical adjustments can significantly improve refractive accuracy, with one study demonstrating improvement from 40% to 95% of patients within target range after light adjustments. This highlights the real value of being able to fine-tune your vision after surgery.

Consistently Precise

Across multiple studies, 92% of LAL patients ended up within half a diopter of their goal prescription. Multiple published studies have confirmed that the LAL delivers better accuracy than lenses that cannot be adjusted after surgery.

Results based on published clinical studies. Individual outcomes may vary. Your surgeon will discuss what you can realistically expect during your consultation.

Our Cataract Surgeons

Dr. Suresh Mandava
Suresh Mandava, M.D.
Learn More
Dr. Rebecca Shields
Rebecca A. Shields, M.D.
Learn More
Dr. Bella Wolf
Bella Wolf, M.D.
Learn More
Dr. Gabe Shakarov
Gabe Shakarov, M.D.
Learn More

What to Expect After Surgery

The LAL journey is a little different from other premium lenses, and that is a good thing.

  1. Weeks 1 to 3: Healing

    Your eye heals from surgery. You wear UV-protective glasses during all waking hours to keep the lens safe from unplanned changes before your adjustments begin. Your doctor will provide specific wearing instructions, and three styles of UV glasses are available for your convenience.

  2. Weeks 3 to 8: Light Adjustments

    Your doctor performs up to 3 painless light treatments, each taking about 90 seconds. Between visits, you test your vision in everyday activities like driving, reading, and working on the computer. You share how things look and feel. This is your “test drive” period where you and your surgeon work together to get the best result.

  3. Weeks 6 to 10: Lock-In

    Two final lock-in treatments permanently set your lens prescription. After lock-in, you no longer need the UV-protective glasses. Your lens is now stable and permanent, just like any other implant. The full process from surgery to lock-in usually takes 6 to 10 weeks.

Your Surgery Journey

From your first visit through final lock-in, here is what to expect.

  1. Consultation & Planning

    During your visit at our Stamford office, we take detailed measurements of your eye and talk about your vision goals and lifestyle. We will help you decide if the LAL is the right fit, or if another premium lens like the PanOptix, Vivity, or TECNIS Odyssey would be a better match.

  2. Surgery Day

    The procedure takes about 15 minutes at our Surgery Center at 55 Holly Hill Lane. You will receive numbing drops and a mild sedative to keep you comfortable. Your surgeon removes the cloudy natural lens and places the LAL in its place. After surgery, you will get your UV-protective glasses and need someone to drive you home.

  3. Adjustments & Lock-In

    A few weeks after surgery, you come back for light adjustment visits. Between visits, you live your life and notice how your vision feels. You share that feedback with your surgeon. Once you are both happy with the result, the lock-in treatment makes your prescription permanent. After that, no more UV glasses.

Cost and Insurance Considerations

What Insurance Covers

Medicare and most private insurance plans cover the basic cost of cataract surgery with a standard lens. The Light Adjustable Lens is a premium upgrade, so there is an added out-of-pocket cost. This covers the specialized lens itself, the light treatments, and the extra follow-up visits. We share clear pricing during your consultation so there are no surprises.

Is It Worth the Investment?

Thanks to its post-surgical adjustability, the LAL gives you the best chance of seeing clearly at distance without glasses among all single-focus lens options. If you have had prior vision correction surgery where standard calculations are less reliable, the LAL can help you avoid the cost and hassle of corrective procedures down the road. If you are weighing whether a premium lens is worth the cost, we are happy to walk you through your options.

Close-up of the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens implant showing its adjustable design

Which Lens Is Right for You?

Answer a few questions about your lifestyle and vision goals to find your ideal lens option.

IOL Lifestyle Guide

Take A Quiz

Older adult considering cataract surgery timing and options

Is It Time for Cataract Surgery?

Not sure if your symptoms call for surgery? Take our quick self-assessment to find out.

Take the Cataract Quiz

How the LAL Compares

Every premium lens makes a different trade-off. Here is how the LAL fits in.

Comparison of premium IOL options based on patient priorities
If You Are Thinking… Best Fit Why
“I want to fine-tune my vision after surgery.” LAL The only lens that can be adjusted after it is placed in your eye. Try your vision in everyday life, then lock it in.
“I had LASIK and want precise results.” LAL Being able to adjust after surgery gets around the limitations of standard lens calculations in post-LASIK eyes.
“I never want to wear glasses again.” PanOptix / Odyssey These lenses give you clear vision at near, middle, and far distances for the greatest glasses freedom.
“I drive a lot at night and hate glare.” LAL / Vivity Both use designs that keep nighttime halos and glare to a minimum compared to multifocal lenses.
“I have early glaucoma.” LAL / Vivity Their single-focus designs keep contrast sharp, making them good choices for patients with mild, stable glaucoma.

For a full side-by-side comparison of all four premium lenses, visit our Premium Cataract Lenses page.

Cataract Surgery
Premium Cataract Lenses
Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Are Premium Lenses Worth the Cost?

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most from patients considering the Light Adjustable Lens.

What is the difference between a premium lens and the lens my insurance covers?
A standard lens corrects your vision at one distance (usually far away), so you will still need glasses for reading and computer work. Premium lenses like the LAL use advanced technology to give you more precise results and reduce or even remove your need for glasses. The LAL's special advantage is that your prescription can be adjusted after surgery, giving you the best chance of hitting your exact vision goal.
Are the light treatments painful?
No, the light treatments are completely painless. You simply look at a small light while the device sends a programmed UV light pattern to your lens. Each treatment takes only about 90 seconds, and you can go back to your normal activities right away.
How many visits will I need, and how long does the process take?
The LAL requires about 3 to 5 extra visits over 6 to 10 weeks for light adjustments and lock-in treatments. Each visit takes about 30 minutes. The other premium lenses (PanOptix, Vivity, Odyssey) only need standard follow-up visits. So the LAL does ask for a bigger time commitment, but the payoff is the most precise result possible.
I had LASIK years ago. Is the LAL the best choice for me?
The LAL is the top choice for patients who have had LASIK, PRK, or radial keratotomy. Standard lens calculations are less reliable in these eyes because of changes to the shape of the cornea. The LAL's ability to fine-tune after surgery gets around this problem. In the largest published study of post-LASIK patients, 74% achieved 20/20 and 86% hit their target after adjustments, with no sight-threatening complications reported. Vivity can also be a good option for some post-refractive patients, especially those with a regular corneal shape.
Can the LAL correct astigmatism?
Yes. The LAL can correct astigmatism through the light adjustment process. It can treat even very small amounts of astigmatism, which is the lowest threshold of any lens implant. Your surgeon reshapes the lens to correct the astigmatism, giving you another layer of customization that fixed lenses simply cannot offer.
What if I don’t like my vision after an adjustment?
That is one of the LAL's biggest advantages. If you are not happy after an adjustment, your doctor can refine your vision further before locking it in. You have up to 3 adjustment sessions to get it right. This try-and-refine approach is exactly why the LAL reaches a level of accuracy that no fixed lens can match.
How does the LAL compare to PanOptix or Vivity for glasses freedom?
The LAL works best at one main distance (usually far away). If you want the widest range of glasses-free vision at near, middle, and far distances, the PanOptix trifocal or TECNIS Odyssey may be a better fit. That said, the LAL does offer ways to broaden your range. One popular option is mini-monovision, where one eye is set for distance and the other slightly for near. The newer LAL+ model also gives a slightly wider range of focus. Your surgeon can help you weigh these choices.
I have early glaucoma. Can I still get a LAL?
In many cases, yes. Because the LAL is built on a single-focus design, it keeps your contrast (the ability to tell objects apart from their background) sharp. It does not split light the way multifocal lenses do. This makes it a good option for patients with mild, stable, well-controlled glaucoma. Your surgeon will look at your specific situation, including your visual field and how stable the condition is.
How safe is the LAL?
The LAL was tested in a thorough 600-patient FDA clinical trial and has been studied in many additional research studies covering hundreds of patients. Safety data shows no significant increase in complications compared to standard cataract surgery. In the largest post-LASIK study, no sight-threatening complications were reported. Once lock-in is complete, the LAL becomes a permanent, stable lens designed to last a lifetime.
What is the difference between the original LAL and the new LAL+?
Both models deliver excellent results. The LAL+ (launched in 2024) has a modified lens surface that gives you a slightly wider range of clear vision right after surgery, even before the light treatments begin. Your surgeon can recommend which model works best for your goals.

See If the Light Adjustable Lens Is Right for You

Schedule a consultation to find out if the LAL's precision and adjustability match your vision goals and lifestyle.

Call Now: 203-635-2097

What our Patients say

4.8

Reviews

(3,408)

We Value Our Patients Feedback

Reviews

4.9 (227)

Contact Us

2046 West Main Street, Suite 2, Stamford, CT 06902 203-635-2097
203-869-6453

Reviews

4.8

(3,408)

Monday:           8AM-5PM
Tuesday:          8AM-6:45PM
Wednesday:   8AM-5PM
Thursday:       8AM-5PM
Friday:             8AM-5PM
Saturday:       10AM-2PM
Sunday:          Closed
get directions

Schedule Today

203-635-2097
Book Appointment