Frequently Asked Questions

The unique feature of the Light Adjustable Lens is that the refractive power can be changed after implantation in the eye using a clinic-based UV light source called a Light Delivery Device™ (LDD™). The Light Adjustable Lens contains photosensitive macromers distributed throughout the lens. When ultraviolet (UV) light from the LDD is directed to a specific area of the lens, the macromers in the path of the light polymerize with other macromers. The remaining unpolymerized macromers then move to the light-exposed area. This movement causes a highly predictable change in the curvature of the lens. The new shape of the lens represents the refraction entered into the LDD.

Patients must follow all instructions provided by their cataract surgeon, including use of the UV-blocking glasses provided to them at the conclusion of surgery. As with any cataract procedure, the patient’s vision may not be perfect after surgery. Fortunately, these patients have selected the Light Adjustable Lens. Over the next few weeks, the patient and their eye doctor(s) will work together to optimize their vision.

The RxSight® UV-blocking glasses that patients are provided protect the Light Adjustable Lens from UV light sources other than the LDD that their cataract surgeon uses to optimize their vision. Exposing the Light Adjustable Lens to other UV light sources could potentially lead to uncontrolled refractive changes. If this happens, the patient should be advised to contact their cataract surgeon.

The Light Adjustable Lens also offers an additional layer of protection from incidental UV exposure beyond the UV glasses alone called ActivShield™. ActivShield is a revolutionary UV protective layer built into the Light Adjustable Lens to help protect the lens until treatments are complete. 

The UV-blocking glasses should be worn until their cataract surgeon tells them that they no longer need to wear them (usually 24 hours after their final light treatment). Total wear is typically about 4 to 5 weeks in duration, however, this may vary depending on the number of light treatments delivered.

The patient should only remove their UV-blocking glasses when absolutely necessary, and it is recommended they continue wear immediately after each test is complete. All in-office ophthalmic testing and examination can be performed.

If you are providing a refractive result to the patient’s cataract surgeon for use in LDD treatment, please remember that this is the correction the patient will receive to the Light Adjustable Lens. Unlike spectacles and contact lenses, the correction cannot be changed once locked in. Providing an accurate refraction, as well as offering any feedback on the patient’s preferences and goals, can be incredibly valuable to the cataract surgeon in providing the patient with their best possible vision. We recommend checking vision and performing refraction with the lights ON to ensure the most accurate refraction is found. We offer a refraction calculator to aid in verifying the accuracy of refraction.

No. They should wear the UV-blocking glasses provided to them by their doctor. These glasses have a special protective coating that no other glasses have, to ensure the Light Adjustable Lens is protected from incidental UV exposure.

They should notify their cataract surgeon as soon as possible if one of the two pairs of UV-blocking glasses are lost, damaged or unwearable, and then continue to wear the other pair. If both pairs are lost or damaged, they should wear the darkest sunglasses they have and a peaked hat and contact their cataract surgeon.

Showering
If there is a window or possible direct sunlight in their shower, they should wear their UV-blocking glasses or consider showering after the sun has gone down or before it comes up. If there is no direct sunlight, they do not need to wear the UV-blocking glasses. However, they should put them on afterwards.

Sports
The patient’s cataract surgeon will advise them when they can return to sports. The patient’s return to more impactful activities may need to be delayed until all light treatments are complete to guarantee a stable Light Adjustable Lens for light treatments.

Tanning Studio
A tanning studio bed is a very strong source of UV light and should be avoided until all light treatments are complete and the patient has been advised that they can remove their UV-blocking glasses.

Makeup
The patient’s cataract surgeon will advise them when they can return to wearing eye makeup. Patients must be careful when removing eye makeup and should not place excessive pressure on the eye. Permanent makeup should be delayed until the eye is considered fully healed.

Travel
Travel is not impacted. Patients should remember to bring all of their UV-blocking glasses with them. They should be particularly diligent in protecting their eyes from UV sources in unfamiliar environments.

Work
Work is generally not impacted, unless their profession puts them at a higher risk of UV exposure. They should remember to wear their UV-blocking glasses at work until they are told by their cataract surgeon that it is no longer necessary.

Laser Treatments
Laser devices that expose patients to UV light are routinely used as diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic tools. Wavelength and amount of energy utilized by the device are important to know in order to assess the risk to Light Adjustable Lens patients who have not yet received their complete lock-in treatments. While the Light Adjustable Lens is safe to undergo nearly all ophthalmic testing and procedures before lock-in is complete without the risk of incidental UV exposure, please consult with your RxSight Clinical Affairs Training Specialist should you require additional information for your assessment.

It is recommended that the UV-blocking glasses are worn all waking hours. However, if they do forget, they should put them on as soon as they remember. They should note how long they were without the glasses and the light conditions during that time and contact their cataract surgeon.

The lens can be adjusted 1 to 3 times, but the total number of light treatments is based on achievement of the desired visual outcome determined by the surgeon and patient. Once adjustments are complete, the lens power is permanently locked-in with 2 final light treatments to prevent any further changes.

Each light treatment will last between 8 and 120 seconds, with the average being approximately 90 seconds. Variation in time is dependent on the type of treatment performed. The light treatment uses a coupling gel and contact lens to focus the UV light onto the Light Adjustable Lens (for the patient, it will be very similar to a gonioscopy examination).

Their vision may be blurry immediately after each treatment due to the coupling gel used with the contact lens during application of the light treatment, but this should resolve quickly. Additionally, their eye will be dilated for the treatment, which may cause blurred vision and increase light sensitivity—the tinted UV-blocking glasses may be more comfortable during this time. It may take approximately 24 hours after each light treatment for the patient to notice an improvement in their vision. The light from the LDD may also cause a temporary pink or red tinge to their vision that is especially noticeable on things that normally look white. For more information, please see the RxSight Patient Information Brochure, which is available in our resource library.