Presbyopia and The Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome

Most people in their early 40s begin to develop presbyopia, or the need for reading glasses or bifocals for near tasks. This need is caused by Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome (DLS), or the slow loss of clarity and flexibility of the eyes natural lens due to age. Eventually, due to DLS many patients have difficulties with distance vision even if they never needed correction in the past. Lens replacement surgery is currently the only permanent solution to DLS.

Once a person decides whether they want clear near vision, distance vision, or a combination of both, the surgeon will work with them to choose the best lens implant for the eye, using a combination of advanced diagnostic tests. However, even with these advanced diagnostic tests, how each person heals is unique, meaning that some remaining nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism may remain. Thankfully, this can also always be remedied through additional surgeries like LASIK to fine tune the prescription after lens replacement surgery.

The Light Adjustable Lens and How it Can Help

Now, what if there was a way to adjust the prescription of the lens implant after lens replacement surgery, without having to do additional surgery?

ClearSight and 43 Vision have the technology to do just that, with the newest generation of the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) by RxSight. The LAL is one of the latest lens implant technologies available in the USA, gaining FDA approval in 2017. This is the only lens implant where your vision can be adjusted after lens replacement surgery by applying a special UV light 1-2 months after the procedure, once the eye has completely healed. This allows 43 Vision to deliver precise, high quality, customized vision that is unique to each patient's anatomy without having to worry about doing additional surgery to fine tune your vision.

How Does it Work?

Once the eye has healed from the procedure, the patient comes to the clinic to sit in front of a special microscope where the doctor applies UV light to the LAL. This changes the shape of the lens implant to match the patients exact prescription. This is done in as little as a 90 second treatment, and if needed, 1-4 additional treatments can be performed over the following weeks. What is even more exciting is that patients can "test-drive" their vision after one treatment, if they want additional find tuning, such as more focusing power for near work, or less focusing power for distance work, then this can be easily and accurately accomplished! Once the patient is satisfied, the prescription can be "locked in".

Who is LAL For?

The LAL is best for any patient that desires extremely precise vision correction, which can be either distance and/or near vision correction. The LAL is also an excellent choice for patients that have had prior vision correction procedures, such as old technology LASIK or RK as the calculations for your implant are more challenging.

Candidates for LAL

In order for the LAL to have the most optimal outcome, it is important to wear UV protective glasses. The laser adjustments must be performed through a dilated pupil, so it is also important for your pupils to dilate to at least 6-7 millimeters, and we will thoroughly check this for you during your free consultation. Finally, this lens is not recommended for people taking certain UV sensitizing medications or have had specific viral infections of the eye in the past. If your pupils dilate well, and you do not mind wearing UV protective glasses for a few weeks while we customize your vision, then you will likely do very well with LAL!