Leading the way with the latest in Cataract Surgery

Lumea is excited to be the first centre in Canada to offer patients Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) technology. This is the first and only lens that can be modified AFTER surgery to optimize visual outcomes. This revolutionary technology means cataract patients can trial and customize their vision up to three (3) times before locking it in, offering the most precise results available.

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Light Adjustable Lens

LAL provides the highest quality vision according to the patients needs. Studies show:

2X

Achieve 20/20 or better vision without glasses 2X as often as any other lens technology.

10X

Patients with LAL are 10x more likely to achieve the predicted visual result compared to a standard monocfocal.

8/10

ophthalmologists would choose LAL if they were having cataract surgery.

Prior to cataract surgery, extensive measurement of the eye is required to allow surgeons to predict best visual outcome. Despite the most advanced measurement technology available, outcomes may not always be as expected. But, LAL can change that. Its revolutionary technology provides the ability to reshape the lens after surgery up to 3X. Through fine-tuning with the use of UV light, LAL can provide patients the most precise results with their vision.

Download our LAL Brochure to learn more.

Ideal candidates for LAL have:

  • Been diagnosed with cataracts
  • Any refractive error (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, moderate astigmatism)
  • A desire for distance + / – near vision correction
Surgery Length
  • 5-15 minutes for cataract surgery and IOL implantation
  • 90 seconds for each light adjustment
Anaesthesia
  • Local with oral sedation
Side Effects
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritation
  • Temporary night glare
Risks
  • Infection
  • Temporary swelling or inflammation
  • Increased eye pressure
Recovery
  • 4 weeks for surgery
  • Light adjustment begins 4-8 weeks after surgery
Final Visual Outcome
  • Requires 1-3 light adjustments
    Most patients have their final “lock in” treatment at 7-10 weeks
  • The LAL achieves binocular 20/20 vision or better and J3 to J1 reading vision in greater than 80 percent of patients choosing blended vision.
Instructions
  • Patients MUST wear special UV protection sunglasses when outdoors until the final “lock in” treatment is completed
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Understanding Refractive Cataract Surgery

Patients diagnosed with cataracts, or clouding of their natural crystalline lens, will benefit from Refractive Cataract Surgery (RCS) to both restore vision as well as correct refractive error (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism).

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Refractive Cataract Surgery

In RCS, the patient’s natural crystalline lens is removed via ultrasound (phacoemulsification) through a microscopic incision and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) more suitable to the patient’s eye shape. Due to the extremely small size of the incisions and ample pain control, most patients will experience nearly no pain during the extremely short surgery. Having exclusive access to the most advanced IOL technology in the world, Lumea surgeons can correct BOTH patients’ distance AND reading vision with unprecedented satisfaction and accuracy.

Early side effects of RCS may include swelling, increased eye pressure, inflammation or rarely, infection. Patients may also experience temporary dry eye or temporary glaring around lights in the evening (depending on the IOL type that is chosen). Essentially all side effects can be successfully treated with medications and allowing the eye to fully heal from surgery.

Ideal candidates for RCS have:

  • Been diagnosed with cataracts
  • Any refractive error (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism)
  • A desire for distance + / – near vision correction
Surgery Length
  • 30 minutes
Anesthesia
  • Local with IV sedation
Side Effects
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritation
  • Temporary night glare
Risks
  • Infection
  • Temporary swelling or inflammation
  • Increased eye pressure
Recovery
  • Discomfort 12‑24 hours
  • Vision 3‑7 days
  • Exercise 5‑7 days
  • Make up 7‑14 days
Final Visual Outcome
  • 2‑4 weeks
  • Dry eyes typically resolve in 4‑8 weeks
Instructions
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Understanding RLE

Patients over the age of 45 and with severe near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism may be more ideal candidates for RLE or “refractive lens exchange” rather than laser vision correction of the cornea.

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RLE

In RLE, the patient’s natural crystalline lens is removed via ultrasound (phacoemulsification) through a microscopic incision and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) more suitable to the patient’s eye shape. Due to the extremely small size of the incisions and ample pain control, most patients will experience nearly no pain during the extremely short surgery. Having exclusive access to the most advanced IOL technology in the world, Lumea surgeons can correct BOTH patients’ distance AND reading vision with unprecedented satisfaction and accuracy.

Early side effects of RLE may include swelling, increased eye pressure, inflammation or rarely, infection. Patients may also experience temporary dry eye or temporary glaring around lights in the evening (depending on the IOL type that is chosen). Essentially all side effects can be successfully treated with medications and allowing the eye to fully heal from surgery.

Ideal candidates for RLE are:

  • Over 45
  • Severe myopia (near-sightedness)
  • Moderate hyperopia (far-sightedness)
  • Moderate astigmatism up to 5.0D
  • Desires distance + / – near vision correction
Surgery Length
  • 30 minutes
Anesthesia
  • Local with IV sedation
Side Effects
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritation
  • Temporary night glare
Risks
  • Infection
  • Temporary swelling or inflammation
  • Increased eye pressure
Recovery
  • Discomfort 12‑24 hours
  • Vision 3‑7 days
  • Exercise 5‑7 days
  • Make up 7‑14 days
Final Visual Outcome
  • 2‑4 weeks
  • Dry eyes typically resolve in 4‑8 weeks
Instructions
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Understanding Presbyond LASIK

Over the last 20 years, lasik or “laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis”, has become the most common refractive surgery in the world for treating most types of refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism).

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Presbyond LASIK

A femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap which is then gently moved, like a page of a book. The resulting exposed cornea is then reshaped with a second laser (called an excimer) resulting in perfectly corrected vision within seconds. The flap is then gently replaced back to its original location and acts as a natural bandage. This is the major advantage of lasik over older types of refractive surgery (such as PRK) because the “bandage effect” of the flap allows for rapid healing (reduced pain and rapid visual recovery).

Until recently, LASIK laser technology allowed for the correction of only distance vision, meaning patients over 45 years of age still required glasses to read. Today, the surgeons at Lumea are proud to be one of the very few centres in Canada to have mastered the use of Presbyond LASIK to correct both distance AND reading vision in suitable patients over the age of 45. In Presbyond LASIK, a naturally occurring visual phenomenon called Spherical Aberration (SA) is optimized on the cornea to allow for the ideal blend of depth of focus and visual quality.

Side effects of Presbyond LASIK are identical to regular LASIK and include temporary dry eyes, and foreign body sensation. Patients may experience night time glare or halo for a few days, which quickly resolves with normal healing. Complications of Presbyond LASIK are extremely rare and are ALL treatable. These include infection, swelling or inflammation under the flap (diffuse lamellar keratitis).

Ideal candidates for Presbyond LASIK:

  • Are between 45 and 60
  • Have myopia (near-sightedness) up to -9.0D
  • Have hyperopia (far-sightedness) up to +2.0D
  • Have astigmatism up to 5.0D
  • Have suitable corneal thickness
Surgery Length
  • 15 minutes
Anesthesia
  • Local with oral sedation
Side Effects
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritation
  • Temporary night glare
Risks
  • Infection
  • Temporary swelling or flap inflammation
  • Flap misalignment
Recovery
  • Discomfort 6‑12 hours
  • Vision 1‑2 days
  • Exercise 5‑7 days
  • Make up 7‑14 days
Final Visual Outcome
  • 1‑2 weeks
  • Dry eyes typically resolve in 4‑8 weeks
Instructions
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