Light Adjustable Lens Experience

[psbpsbpsb]

I had started to discuss my experience with the Light Adjustable Lens in http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Eye-Care/adaptive-IOLs-outside-the-US/show/2076228 but found it was closed today.  I've just had my second adjustment and wanted to give the many interested folks in the community an update on my experience.

I had the second adjustment yesterday afternoon.  As with the first adjustment the appointment began with the optician working with me to look at where I was with my visual acuity and also getting an update on my intraocular pressures.  After being dilated and waiting an hour or so, I went in with the ophthalmologist and had the UV irradiation.  As before, they used topical anesthetic, a contact lens and eyepiece were applied, and the UV light turned on.  This time I didn't find the experience as uncomfortable.  It may be she used less irradiation this time or perhaps I still had part of the lingering washed out vision from the first adjustment still present.  After, I was essentially unable to see out of the treated eye because of a large, intense red/pink distorted area covering most of my visual field.  As the afternoon and evening went on it faded only slightly but I did seem to be able to have more sharpness with some distant objects than before, again, very hard to tell.

This morning still a lot of redness and pink hues especially noticeable when looking at white objects.Green LED lights look white.  But my acuity is returning and I feel that there was definitely an improvement with the second treatment.  The plan is for me to return in a few days for the first lock in and then the second lock in a couple days after that.  It is hard to really know just how well the lens is working at this point as I haven't recovered from the UV irradiation and I'm wearing the dark UV blocking glasses.  But I'm feeling optimistic that my intermediate vision is much better and reading vision also significantly better than my untreated presbyopic eye.  

Unless they close this forum or the moderators delete this post I'll put a couple follow ups on and some observations as I get the lock ins done.


This discussion is related to adaptive IOLs outside the US.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[psbpsbpsb]

Thanks flossy.  I'm trying to convey information that I would have liked to know before I had this done, while it is fresh in my mind.  There is quite a bit on the LAL online from the perspective of the manufacturer and ophthalmologists using this IOL, but a paucity of information from the patient point of view.  I think there is a tendency to underplay some of the difficulties in having this done and it is helpful to go in knowing as much as possible from sources besides researchers and marketing materials.  Making visits for treatment and follow up from a neighboring country has proven cumbersome and when I get the other eye done I'll be in a much better position to plan realistically.  Because of the requirements to give up your normal glasses to use the ones provided which block UV (and in my case only allowed to wear the tinted pair), and which are not prescription, and the visual after effects of the UV light treatments, you are looking at some degree of visual impairment for a good month or so from the procedure itself.

As expected this morning the pink fuzz is a bit better but I know on Monday when I go back in for lock in number one it will be back again in spades.  So I expect to have very limited vision this week as I get, hopefully, the lock ins done.  After than I expect it will be at least a week to have most of the pink tinge and blurriness resolve and be able to finally be out of the UV sunglasses.  That will give me my best chance to really appreciate the benefit of these lenses. That said, there certainly is a big improvement between the time the lens was first put in and the two adjustments, so had I just had a normal monofocal put in I know what my baseline vision would have been and it definitely would have required me to go back to my progressives.  With the adjustments I think I may be able to function quite well glasses free, but we'll see and I'll report back.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[flossy93]

I'm sorry they closed the prior discussion thread.  I can't figure out why.

In any event, thank you for starting the second thread on the topic and for your diligence in giving all of us an idea of what the process is like having a LAL implanted from a patient POV.  

I think this will be especially helpful not just for those who are interested in the LAL, but people who are thinking of traveling to other countries where the LAL is available.  It sounds like a lengthy stay (perhaps a month or more?) is needed to allow for the initial surgery as well as all of the follow-up appointments.  

Thank you again SO MUCH for your kindness in taking time to relay your experiences so clearly.  I look forward to hearing your next update!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[KayakerNC]

Be nice if everything was in one easy to find discussion.
Reasons for choosing the LAL.
Doctor/Surgeon selection.
Initial consultations and impressions.
Surgery and adjustments results.
Thanks for keeping us updated.

[Joykat]

It would be nice to hear of others experience with the light adjustable lens.  I know it is not FDA approved so it is not available in the US, but I am sure there have been plenty of people who have traveled to Mexico for this implant.   Please tell us your story.  

[JohnHaganMD]

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