If you're facing cataract surgery, you're likely looking forward to clearer vision. However, traditional surgery relies on measurements taken before your procedure, which can't always predict how your eyes will heal. This means many patients still need glasses after their recovery.
At Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma in Santa Ana, California, Anand Bhatt, MD, and our team offer a revolutionary alternative. With Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL®) cataract surgery, we'll customize your vision after your eyes have already healed from surgery.
A Light Adjustable Lens is an advanced intraocular lens, or artificial lens, that we implant during standard cataract surgery. Unlike traditional lenses, the LAL is made of a unique light-sensitive material that changes shape when exposed to ultraviolet light. This allows us to adjust your prescription in real-time.
According to the Mayo Clinic, traditional lens selection relies on preoperative estimates that can't account for individual healing variations. The LAL overcomes this limitation by letting us fine-tune your prescription after your eye stabilizes.
Why choose an adjustable lens over a standard one? The primary benefit is the incredible precision it offers, which significantly reduces your dependence on glasses for distance vision. Many patients find they can enjoy daily activities like reading road signs or watching television without reaching for their spectacles.
Research hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that patients implanted with a light-adjustable lens are approximately twice as likely to achieve uncorrected 20/20 vision compared to those who receive standard lenses. This means you'll enjoy hobbies, driving, and daily tasks with outstanding clarity.
The process begins with a standard, outpatient cataract procedure to place the lens. Once your eye heals and stabilizes over a few weeks, you'll return to our Santa Ana office for quick, painless light treatments. These sessions take only a few minutes and require no needles or surgery.
Dr. Bhatt uses a specialized light delivery device to apply targeted ultraviolet light to the lens, gently reshaping it to correct any residual prescription. We'll repeat these treatments a few times until your vision is exactly where you want it. After we achieve your optimal vision, we'll lock in the prescription with a final light treatment.
You don't have to settle for standard vision when advanced options are available to upgrade your sight. If you're ready to explore the benefits of customizable cataract surgery, contact our team at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma online or by phone today to schedule a consultation.
