Home » Blog » Eye Center of St. Augustine Elevates Post-Cataract Surgery Care with Light Adjustable Lens Procedure (LAL), Letting Patients “Test Drive Their Vision”

Posted by: Eye Center of St Augustine in News

The first and only lens customizable AFTER cataract surgery.

Eye Center of St. Augustine announced today the addition of the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) to its offerings, the first and only lens that can be customized after cataract surgery. This FDA-approved innovation empowers patients to customize their vision based on their unique lifestyles and preferences, leading to more precise visual outcomes.

Russell Nelligan, M.D., Medical Director and ophthalmologist at Eye Center of St. Augustine, expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, stating, “At Eye Center of St. Augustine, we are committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that help our patients achieve their best possible vision. The Light Adjustable Lens represents a breakthrough in cataract surgery, offering an unprecedented level of customization and control after the procedure. By incorporating this advanced technology into our practice, we’re enhancing visual outcomes and helping patients experience life with greater clarity and confidence.”

The procedure is currently being performed by Eye Center of St. Augustine’s cataract surgeons, including Dr. Russell Nelligan, Dr. James Tammaro and Dr. Michael Epps.

Why the LAL is Revolutionary:

Before the advent of the LAL, cataract surgery patients lacked the ability to determine their exact visual acuity post-surgery, often resulting in suboptimal outcomes. According to the Market Scope 2020 IOL Market Report, only 6 out of 10 cataract patients achieve their targeted vision, with an even smaller percentage achieving excellent vision at all distances. 1 With the LAL, patients now have unprecedented control over their post-surgery vision.  

Studies have shown that patients who received the LAL and the recommended post-surgery treatments were almost twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision or better without glasses compared to cataract patients who have standard lens implants. 2

How the LAL Works:

Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens and replacing it with a synthetic one, typically taking around 15 minutes per eye on separate days. The LAL is one type of synthetic cataract lens, crafted from a unique material that changes shape and power in response to UV light. This allows for precise vision customization through brief post-surgery procedures using the Light Delivery Device (LDD).

“Test Driving Your Vision” After Surgery:

Patients return to their doctor’s office about three weeks after cataract surgery for customized vision treatments. Through a series of one to three UV light treatments, followed by two final “lock-in” treatments, the patient’s vision can be fine-tuned beyond that of a standard intraocular lens (IOL). Between treatments, patients wear protective glasses to safeguard against accidental lens changes.

To learn more about the Light Adjustable Lens or to schedule a consultation, visit https://www.eyecenterstaug.com/eye-clinic/cataracts/light-adjustable-lens/.  

Sources:

1. Market Scope 2020 IOL Market Report: A Global Analysis for 2019 to 2025.

2. US Food and Drug Administration. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness (SSED) of Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device system