Medically Reviewed by: Mark L. Mayo, M.D.
Here’s Why Choosing the Light Adjustable Lens in Houston Could Change Your Life and Vision
Do you have cataracts? They are among the most common causes of visual changes, especially among older adults.
Most people will develop age-related cataracts that will cause vision changes or vision loss. The only way to treat cataracts is with cataract surgery, which is why cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures you can undergo.
When you’re ready for cataract surgery, you’ll have a choice of which type of intraocular lens (IOL) you want to replace the clouded natural lens of your eye. IOLs ensure you can see clearly after cataract surgery and can also address other visual issues, such as refractive errors or presbyopia.
Many people choose premium IOLs like the Light Adjustable Lens for the best vision correction after cataract surgery. Keep reading to discover why choosing the Light Adjustable Lens in Houston could change your life and vision!
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are areas that develop on the clear natural lens of your eye when proteins of the lens deteriorate and form clumps. These cloudy patches prevent light from penetrating the lens, which can change your vision and cause vision loss.
Most cataracts are age-related, with no known way to prevent or treat them. The only way to improve vision due to cataracts is by having cataract surgery.
During the procedure, your cataract surgeon at Eye Center of Texas will remove your natural lens, where the cataract is located. Then, they will replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
IOLs are clear and transparent. This ensures you’ll see clearly after cataract surgery and mitigate any visual problems you may have had due to cataracts. Also, depending on your chosen IOL, they can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Some premium IOLs also correct presbyopia to ensure you can reduce your dependence on reading glasses and achieve much-desired visual freedom. The visual correction from premium IOLs gives many people the best vision they’ve had in years without needing to rely on visual aids as much.
Which IOL is Right for Me?
There are different types of IOLs to address different vision correction needs. IOLs offered at Eye Center of Texas include:
Monofocal IOLs
Monofocal lenses work like single-vision glasses or contacts. The IOL corrects vision at one distance.
Typically, patients choose a monofocal IOL that corrects their distance vision, allowing them to complete tasks like driving or watching TV without glasses. Since you won’t have your ability to see up close corrected, you may still need reading glasses for reading or computer work.
Multifocal IOLs
Multifocal IOLs work like bifocal glasses or multifocal contacts. They correct your vision at multiple distances, so you’ll experience clear vision at mid-range and far away. Some people still need reading glasses with multifocal IOLs.
Toric IOLs
Toric IOLs are the only IOLs designed to correct astigmatism. These IOLs work the same way as toric contact lenses.
Many premium IOLs come in toric models. This ensures more personalized vision correction. One of the most advanced premium IOL options is the Light Adjustable Lens.
What is the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens and the Light Adjustable Lens+ are IOLs made from photosensitive material. The material adapts its shape and vision correction strength when exposed to special ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
This process reshapes the Light Adjustable Lens to address your visual needs and offers optimal vision correction. After you recover from cataract surgery, your surgeon at Eye Center of Texas will schedule a series of appointments. These will allow them to adjust your new Light Adjustable Lens.
They will use a non-invasive Light Delivery Device, with treatments only taking a few minutes. You’ll receive a series of treatments, usually 1-3, spaced three days apart until you achieve your desired visual goals.
You’ll then require 2 “lock-in treatments” using the same light delivery system to finalize your prescription. The lock-in treatments are necessary to prevent everyday sun exposure from changing the prescription of the Light Adjustable Lens.
During your adjustment period, you’ll need to wear UV protection glasses during daylight hours. You can only remove them if you’re sleeping, washing your face, or showering. Avoid being in direct sunlight as well during your recovery.
     Do You Need Cataract Surgery?
What are the Benefits of the Light Adjustable Lens?
All IOLs treat visual problems due to having cataracts. Replacing the clouded natural lens with an IOL will ensure you can see clearly without the frustrating visual symptoms brought on by cataracts. These include foggy vision, loss of contrast, double vision in only one eye, and more.
However, when you choose a premium IOL like the Light Adjustable Lens, one of its benefits is that it can offer you more exact correction of refractive errors. These include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The Light Adjustable Lens offers patients exact visual correction that other IOLs can’t match.
Because you can adjust and tailor the Light Adjustable Lens to your vision after cataract surgery, they provide patients with exceptional visual correction compared to other types of IOL. Patients who choose the Light Adjustable Lens are more likely to achieve 20/20 vision, without needing glasses or contacts, at six months than those with a standard monofocal IOL.
The Light Adjustable Lens is also an effective method for vision correction for all refractive errors, including astigmatism. This premium IOL offers a comprehensive solution for astigmatism correction compared to standard toric IOLs, as it offers a broader range of adjustability and the ability to optimize vision quality and clarity.
The design and materials of the Light Adjustable Lens reduce the risk of glare sensitivity or seeing halos around lights after cataract surgery, which can be a risk with other IOLs. This makes the Light Adjustable Lens an excellent choice for people who need to drive safely at night.
What is the Cost of the Light Adjustable Lens?
An out-of-pocket cost is associated with the Light Adjustable Lens, making it more expensive than a monofocal IOL, which has no out-of-pocket cost. Only monofocal IOLs are covered by insurance plans for cataract surgery.
Consider your budget, visual needs, and lifestyle goals after cataract surgery if you think the Light Adjustable Lens is suitable for you. Many patients find that investing in better vision is well worth the extra cost of this premium IOL.
Are you interested in learning more about cataract surgery and the Light Adjustable Lens? We recommend starting with seeing your optometrist. However, if you do not have an eye doctor, you can request an appointment today at Eye Center of Texas in Houston, TX. Haven’t you waited long enough for better vision?
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6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
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