How Much Do Light Adjustable Lenses Cost?

Traditional cataract surgery involves removing a patient’s clouded natural lens and replacing it with a synthetic lens. Depending on how well the eye heals and adapts to the treatment, additional surgical adjustments may be needed to refine the results.¹

With light adjustable lenses (LALs), your vision can be fine-tuned after cataract surgery using non-invasive, highly accurate, ultraviolet (UV) light treatments to achieve your best possible vision without glasses.²

What Are Light Adjustable Lenses?

A light adjustable lens (LAL) is an advanced type of intraocular lens implanted during cataract surgery that allows for personalized vision correction after the procedure. Unlike traditional lenses with a fixed prescription, LALs are made from a special light-sensitive material that responds to targeted ultraviolet (UV) light.²

After your eye heals, your doctor can gradually adjust the lens’s shape and focusing power through a series of painless UV light treatments. This process fine-tunes your vision over time, offering a more customized result based on how your eyes adapt.²

In addition to replacing the clouded natural lens, LALs can also address refractive issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, providing an option for clearer, more precise vision than standard IOLs.²

An FDA study found that patients who received LAL lenses versus traditional IOLs were twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision or better without glasses than patients who chose a standard lens option.³

Are LALs right for you?

Patients who have been diagnosed with cataracts, have good overall eye health and are looking for the clearest possible vision without glasses or contacts could be good candidates for light adjustable lenses.⁴

However, LALs are not a good fit for everyone. Patients with eye conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, corneal disease or glaucoma will not benefit from light adjustable lenses.⁴

In addition, patients who are unable to return for the post-operative visits for lens adjustment — or who are unwilling or unable to follow the post-surgical instructions, like wearing UV-protective eyewear until the adjustments are complete — may not be good candidates.⁴

Average Cost for Light Adjustable Lenses 

Typically, the price for LAL surgery ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 per eye.⁵ However, the cost of LAL surgery can vary based on a range of factors, including the type of technology used during the procedure, the number of post-operative visits required to achieve your optimal vision and your geographic location.⁵

Insurance coverage

Most insurance providers, including Medicare, cover the cost of cataract surgery, but are unlikely to cover the cost of premium lenses like LALs.⁶ Check with your specific insurance provider to understand which portions of the procedure may or may not be covered under your plan. 

How Do Light Adjustable Lenses Work?

Light adjustable lenses are implanted during cataract surgery, like traditional intraocular lenses. It is usually an outpatient procedure performed with a local anesthetic ² 

During recovery, patients may be required to wear protective glasses or a shield, use prescribed eye drops and refrain from activities that strain the eyes, such as driving, exercise or prolonged screen time. Your doctor will monitor your healing for approximately two to four weeks after surgery.²

After your eye doctor determines that your eyes have fully healed and stabilized, they will begin the adjustment phase. This will fine-tune your vision using a light-delivery device (LDD) with targeted UV treatments to adjust the lens shape and power.²

Treatments last about 90 seconds, and patients typically undergo two to four light treatments over a few weeks until the desired vision is reached.²

During this adjustment period, patients usually wear UV-protective glasses at all times, both indoors and outdoors, to prevent unintended changes to the lens from everyday light exposure.²

Once your vision is finalized, a final UV treatment locks in the lens’s shape permanently. This process offers the ability to customize your vision based on how you see and function in your daily life after surgery.² 

Are LALs Worth Considering?

Light adjustable lenses (LALs) represent a significant advancement in cataract surgery, offering patients the ability to fine-tune their vision after surgery for highly customized, glasses-free results. Unlike traditional intraocular lenses (IOLs), LALs use a photo-sensitive material that can be adjusted with targeted UV light, making it possible to address common vision issues such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism, often resulting in vision that’s 20/20 or better without glasses.⁵

However, while the benefits are compelling, LALs are not suitable for everyone. Ideal candidates are those in good overall eye health, able to attend follow-up visits, and willing to adhere to strict post-operative care, including wearing UV-protective glasses. Individuals with certain eye conditions or those unable to follow through with the necessary recovery steps may not qualify.

The cost of LAL surgery, typically ranging from $4,000 to $6,000 per eye, is higher than traditional options and generally not covered by insurance.⁵ Yet, many patients find the added investment worthwhile for the potential of significantly improved vision without dependence on corrective lenses.

The Takeaway on Light Adjustable Lenses

For patients seeking more personalized vision correction after cataract surgery and who are willing to invest the time and cost, light adjustable lenses offer an advanced option that allows for post-surgical fine-tuning. While results can vary, many patients find that this technology helps them achieve sharper vision and greater visual freedom than with traditional lenses.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Cataract Surgery

Whether you’re paying for eye surgery or getting an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.