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.
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
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
Suresh Mandava, M.D.
Rebecca A. Shields, M.D.
Bella Wolf, M.D.
Gabe Shakarov, M.D.
What to Expect After Surgery
The LAL journey is a little different from other premium lenses, and that is a good thing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Which Lens Is Right for You?
Answer a few questions about your lifestyle and vision goals to find your ideal lens option.
IOL Lifestyle GuideTake A Quiz
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 QuizHow the LAL Compares
Every premium lens makes a different trade-off. Here is how the LAL fits in.
| 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.
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?
Are the light treatments painful?
How many visits will I need, and how long does the process take?
I had LASIK years ago. Is the LAL the best choice for me?
Can the LAL correct astigmatism?
What if I don’t like my vision after an adjustment?
How does the LAL compare to PanOptix or Vivity for glasses freedom?
I have early glaucoma. Can I still get a LAL?
How safe is the LAL?
What is the difference between the original LAL and the new LAL+?
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
