Dr. Mary P. Coday is a board-certified ophthalmologist with over 20 years of experience serving the greater Seattle area. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, she specializes in cataract surgery and is passionate about offering her patients the latest advancements in intraocular lens (IOL) technology. Dr. Coday took some time to answer frequently asked questions about cataract surgery and intraocular lenses. You can watch videos of her responses at https://www.overlakeeyecare.com/overlake-eyecare-videos/ or you can find the answers you’re looking for here in our cataract surgery FAQ blog series. 

If I am thinking about cataract surgery, what lens implant type is best if I have had previous LASIK or PRK? 

For patients who have undergone LASIK or other refractive procedures, my preferred lens implant by far is the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL). While our lens calculation algorithms for selecting intraocular lens powers are quite precise, if someone has had previous refractive surgery, that will inevitably make these calculations less robust. The LAL provides a unique advantage by allowing us to refine and customize your vision through post-operative adjustments after the lens has been implanted even in the setting of previous refractive surgery.

Here’s how it works:

• During cataract surgery, the Light Adjustable Lens is implanted. The first month postoperative visits are similar to those for patients choosing a fixed lens implant.
• Once the surgical healing is complete, patients can test their vision at home and identify areas where they would like more clarity or sharpness. We will often test patients’ vision in the office with trial lenses to see how they would like to further refine their vision for various distances.
• Post-operative adjustments are performed at our Bellevue clinic using a specialized ultraviolet (UV) light device. With this device, we can shine an external beam toward the Light Adjustable Lens that is in the eye, and the macromers within the lens slightly reshape to improve focus and achieve more precise vision according to what patients have requested.
• Patients return to the clinic after each adjustment. If they are satisfied with their vision, we perform a final ultraviolet lock-in treatment to permanently stabilize the lens. If not, additional adjustments can be made until the desired vision is achieved—all without additional surgery.
• During the postoperative phase and until 24-48 hours after the final lock-in, patients will need to wear special UV protective glasses to protect the lens implant from ambient ultraviolet light. A set of three special UV protective glasses is a complimentary part of your LAL package (sunglasses, clear glasses, and distance glasses with a reading add on the bottom part of the glasses).  

The Light Adjustable Lens offers patients a high level of customization, particularly for those with prior eye surgery, allowing for clearer, more accurate vision tailored to their individual needs.

-Mary P. Coday, MD

Overlake EyeCare proudly serves patients across the eastside of Lake Washington, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, and surrounding zip codes (98004, 98005, 98007, 98008, 98033, 98034, 98052, 98027, 98029, and more). We also draw from Seattle and Mercer Island. Our convenient Bellevue location makes it easy for patients throughout King County and nearby communities to receive advanced cataract surgery and Light Adjustable Lens care from our experienced team.

Schedule an appointment to see if this exciting technology is right for you!