The Light
Adjustable Lens™

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL), FDA-approved in 2017, is the first and only customizable lens implant for cataract surgery, offering greater clarity and precisely tailoring your vision to your lifestyle, available at Barnet Dulaney Perkins in Arizona.

Why Choose The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)?

After removing the cloudy cataract lens with the robotic laser, our experienced surgeons implant the LAL, thus ridding the eye of cloudiness and providing clearer vision.

After a month of healing, which causes unpredictable changes in the lens fit, our doctors adjust the lens to enhance the fit, which improves your vision, much like a tailor would alter a garment to enhance the fit, which improves your comfort.

Each adjustment is made by your doctor in the office, using a controlled beam of UV light for 1-2 minutes to dial in your best vision, without the need for additional surgery or the cost of non-adjustable lens options.

The resulting vision is high-quality, personalized, and uniquely designed to reduce your need for glasses for your most important activities.

Can I Get Out of Glasses Completely?

Total glasses freedom cannot be guaranteed with any eye surgery. However, because the LAL’s adjustability compensates for the uncertainties of your final visual outcome caused by the healing process, you are 15X* more likely to see your best with LAL compared to non-adjustable lens options. Most of our patients say they go without glasses for most daily activities and wear glasses only occasionally for specific tasks. *FDA trial results, RxSight.

What About Glare and Reflections?

The FDA trial also found that LAL is 6 times less likely to have complaints of glare around headlights at night compared with non-adjustable lenses, and, in our experience, even less so than trifocal implants.

LAL® also does not have that reflection or “sparkle” in the eye (pupil) that you can see in the mirror, or that others can see when looking at your eyes, that you get with nonadjustable lenses.

What Vision Issues Can the Light Adjustable Lens™ Help Address?

Nearsightedness

Farsightedness

Astigmatism

Leftover Prescription After Cataract Surgery

Vision Goals That Require Precise Customization

Prior Refractive Surgery (LASIK, PRK and RK)

Visual Side Effects Associated with Non-Adjustable Lenses

Reduce The Need For Glasses & Contacts

Abstract blue, purple, and pink dotted waves representing post-surgery Light Adjustable Lens vision customization.

Why Does Post-Surgery Adjustability Matter?

Every eye heals differently after cataract surgery and traditional lenses can sometimes miss the target prescription, forcing patients to rely on glasses post-surgery. With the LAL, a surgeon uses a specialized UV light device weeks after the procedure—once the eye’s shape has completely stabilized—to non-invasively reshape the lens inside the eye. This unique ability to fine-tune the lens based on how the patient actually sees in real life provides unmatched precision, corrects minor astigmatisms, and drastically maximizes the chances of achieving 20/20 vision without glasses.

What to Expect from Light Adjustable Lens™ Surgery

when should I get cataract surgery, senior man during a slit-lamp eye exam, Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center

Your experience begins with a comprehensive cataract evaluation. Your eye doctor will examine your cataracts, review your overall eye health, measure your cornea and prescription, and discuss your daily visual needs.

Your surgeon will also ask about the activities that matter most to you. For example, you may prioritize distance vision for driving, comfortable vision for computer work, or reducing your need for glasses during everyday tasks. The best lens is not the same lens for every patient, so it is important to voice your needs.

Graphic showing advanced light-adjustable lens process and how it impacts cataract surgery cost in Arizona

During cataract surgery, your surgeon removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with the Light Adjustable Lens. The surgical process is similar to cataract surgery with other intraocular lenses.

After surgery, your eye needs time to heal before your first adjustment treatment. During this time, your vision may continue to improve as your eye recovers.

After receiving the Light Adjustable Lens, you will need to wear special UV-protective glasses during all waking hours until 24 hours after your final lock-in treatment.

These glasses are essential because ordinary ultraviolet light from indoor and outdoor sources can cause unintended changes to the lens before your surgeon completes the adjustment process.

Your care team will explain when and how to wear your protective glasses. You can remove them while sleeping and during brief activities such as showering or applying eye drops, as long as you avoid direct sunlight and follow your surgeon’s instructions.

Your first Light Delivery Device treatment is commonly scheduled about two to three weeks after surgery, once your vision has stabilized enough for your surgeon to assess your result.

During each visit, your doctor may check your prescription, ask how you are seeing in daily life, and determine whether an adjustment is appropriate.

Most patients receive several light treatments. At Barnet Dulaney Perkins, the total process typically involves three to five treatments, spaced to allow your surgeon to evaluate the effect of each adjustment.

Each treatment is brief and performed in the office. Your care team will give you personalized instructions for your visits, eye drops, glasses, and recovery.

Once you and your surgeon have reached the best vision target for your eyes and lifestyle, your doctor performs final lock-in treatments.

These treatments stabilize the lens so that its prescription can no longer change. After the final lock-in process is complete and your surgeon confirms it is safe to do so, you may stop wearing the UV-protective glasses.

Clear intraocular lens on a reflective surface with soft blue and purple light, representing the Light Adjustable Lens used in cataract surgery.

Light Treatment Schedule

Initial Light Treatment

Approximately 2-3 weeks after surgery

Secondary Light Treatment

Approximately 1 week after initial light treatment

Additional Light Treatments (as required)

Approximately 1 week after each prior light treatment

Restore Your Vision with LAL

Light Adjustable Lens™ Testimonials

Find Out If The Light Adjustable Lens Is Right For You

At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, your cataract surgeon and care team take time to understand your eye health, prescription, daily activities, and priorities before recommending a lens. Schedule a cataract evaluation today to explore your options for customized vision after cataract surgery.

Schedule A Cataract Evaluation

FAQ: Light Adjustable Lens

The number of treatments varies based on your healing, prescription, and visual goals. Patients may receive up to three adjustment treatments followed by final lock-in treatments.

No. Light treatments are performed in the office with the Light Delivery Device and do not require another surgical procedure.

You must wear the provided UV-protective glasses during all waking hours until 24 hours after your final lock-in treatment. Your care team will explain your specific instructions.

The Light Adjustable Lens may help address astigmatism in eligible patients. Your cataract surgeon will evaluate your measurements and determine whether it is appropriate for your eyes.

It’s possible. Because prior LASIK, PRK, and RK can complicate cataract lens calculations, post-surgery adjustability may be valuable for eligible patients. Your surgeon will determine whether it is the right choice for you.

Possibly. The Light Adjustable Lens can help customize your vision target, but it does not guarantee freedom from glasses for every activity. Some patients still use glasses for fine print, close work, reading, or night driving.

Medicare and many private insurance plans generally cover medically necessary cataract surgery with a standard monofocal lens. The Light Adjustable Lens is an advanced technology lens, so patients typically have an out-of-pocket cost beyond standard insurance coverage. Your care team will review expected costs before surgery

The Light Adjustable Lens™