Frequently Asked Questions about the Light Adjustable Lens
What are the advantages of the light adjustable lens?
The light adjustable lens is the only lens used in cataract or clear lens extraction surgery that can be adjusted after it is implanted in your eye. This allows your surgeon to change the lens power precisely to correct for long sight, short sight and astigmatism to give you the best vision that is possible. It also eliminates the need for additional invasive procedures such as LASIK surgery. As the digital adjustment is so precise it is even possible to perform Wavefront treatments to the lens to give even sharper vision. All the adjustment is carried out by a computer controlled low intensity beam of light thus eliminating all the risks and complications associated with surgery.
Will it correct my reading vision?
Just as the light adjustable lens can be used to perfect your distance vision, it can also be used to give you good reading vision. Your surgeon will discuss with you the many options that exist for doing so. These include blended micromonovision as can be achieved with laser eye surgery or bifocal/varifocal vision similar to that achieved by multifocal implants to correct for presbyopia. Unlike all other surgical techniques available for correcting reading vision the light adjustable lens can be adjusted more than once without surgery to give the optimal result for your individual eye.
How long does the lens last?
The lens last forever. It never needs to be removed or replaced. The adjustments of the lens power are also permanent and after they have been made to optimize your vision, the lens will never again need readjustment.
Can any eye surgeon give me the light adjustable lens?
No. Only expert cataract surgeons who have the approved equipment and are specially trained in the insertion and adjustment of the Calhoun Vision light adjustable lens can offer it to their patients. Mr Qureshi as a leading expert in cataract and refractive surgery was the first surgeon to carry out this procedure in the UK.
What are the risks?
As with any surgical procedure there are risks and the results cannot be guaranteed. The risks are very similar to cataract surgery or clear lens extraction. During the adjustment phase some patients experience transient fluctuating vision for about 24 hours.