Your vision, yours to perfect
UltraView VISION™ features the Light Adjustable Lens — the only IOL that can be adjusted after cataract surgery. Unlike every other lens implant, it can be fine-tuned after your eye has healed—so your final prescription is based on real results, not pre-surgical predictions.
The Light Adjustable Lens
Every intraocular lens (IOL) used in cataract surgery is selected based on measurements taken before your procedure. These pre-surgical calculations are highly accurate—but they are still predictions. Your eye’s healing response, the exact position of the implant, and subtle biological factors can all shift the final result.
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) eliminates this uncertainty. Made from a special photosensitive material, the LAL can be reshaped after surgery using precisely targeted ultraviolet light. Instead of hoping your prediction is perfect, your surgeon measures your actual vision once your eye has healed—and adjusts the lens to match. With over 1,000 LAL eyes completed at our centre, our published outcomes show 100% of eyes achieving their cylinder correction target within ±0.50 D—outperforming the multi-centre registry average of 92.3%.
This post-operative fine-tuning is called Light Delivery Treatment (LDT). Over a series of office visits, your surgeon uses a Light Delivery Device to reshape the LAL—changing its power, correcting residual astigmatism, or optimizing your focus for blended vision. Once you are satisfied, two final “Lock-in” sessions permanently fix the lens in its optimized shape.
UltraView VISION™ is our most comprehensive premium lens program—the marriage of the best surgical technique with the best lens technology. It combines UltraView ReLACS™ femtosecond laser precision during surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens and its full LDT adjustment process afterward. The result: laser-guided surgical accuracy on the day of your procedure, followed by post-operative fine-tuning based on how your eye actually healed.
While most patients receive the LAL as part of cataract surgery, it is equally suited for patients without cataracts who want to reduce their dependence on glasses. This is known as refractive lens exchange (RLE)—the same precision surgical technique and post-operative adjustment process, applied to a clear natural lens rather than a clouded one. Whether you have a cataract or not, UltraView VISION delivers the most customizable refractive outcome available.
How post-operative adjustment works
Light Delivery Treatment (LDT) is the process that makes the LAL unique. Beginning approximately three weeks after your cataract surgery—once your eye has healed and your vision has stabilized—you return for a series of office visits where your surgeon fine-tunes the lens.
| 1 | Vision assessment At each LDT session, we discuss your vision expectations, test your eyesight at various distances, and assess your comfort with blended vision (where one eye is set for distance and the other slightly nearer). We maximize your range from far to near only as far as you can go without sacrificing binocular comfort. |
| 2 | Pupil dilation Your pupils are dilated, which can take up to one hour. This allows full access to the Light Adjustable Lens for the treatment. |
| 3 | Light delivery The Light Delivery Device delivers a precise pattern of UV light to your LAL. The treatment itself takes less than five minutes per eye. The light causes a controlled chemical change in the lens material, reshaping it to the target prescription. |
| 4 | Gradual adjustment Over the next two to three days, your vision gradually shifts as the lens settles into its new shape. At the next session, we re-measure and re-assess your satisfaction. |
| 5 | Lock-in sessions Once you are satisfied with your vision (or after a maximum of three adjustment sessions), two mandatory Lock-in sessions permanently fix the lens shape. This prevents any further uncontrolled changes to the implant. |
The entire LDT process typically spans six to eight weeks following your cataract surgery. Each session lasts approximately two to three hours. You should not drive on LDT days.
How the LAL compares
There are several categories of IOLs available for cataract surgery, each with different capabilities. Learn more about IOL options from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Here is how the Light Adjustable Lens compares:
| Feature | Monofocal | EDOF | Multifocal | Light Adjustable Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus points | Single (distance or near) | Distance to intermediate | Distance, intermediate, and near | Customizable after surgery |
| Post-op adjustment | Not possible | Not possible | Not possible | Up to 3 adjustments |
| Refractive accuracy | Prediction-dependent | 79% within ±0.50 D | Prediction-dependent | 100% within ±0.50 D* |
| Astigmatism correction | Toric version available | Toric version available | Toric version available | Fine-tuned via LDT |
| Blended vision | Set before surgery | Set before surgery | Set before surgery | Tested and refined after healing |
| Night vision symptoms | Minimal | Mild–moderate | Moderate (halos, glare) | Minimal (1% dysphotopsia in our study) |
| UV glasses required | No | No | No | Yes, until Lock-in complete |
| Follow-up visits | Standard | Standard | Standard | 3–5 LDT sessions over 6–8 weeks |
*Based on U Vision Group research (125 eyes). EDOF data from the same comparative study. Individual results may vary. These figures are not a guarantee of outcomes.
Your surgeon will discuss which IOL type is most appropriate for your visual goals, lifestyle, and eye anatomy during your cataract journey consultation.
Why choose the Light Adjustable Lens
The LAL addresses the fundamental limitation of every other IOL: once implanted, a traditional lens cannot be changed.
Post-Operative Customization
No other IOL can be adjusted after implantation. The LAL lets your surgeon optimize your prescription based on how your eye actually healed—not a pre-surgical prediction. In our comparative study, 87% of LAL eyes were within ±0.25 D and 100% within ±0.50 D of target—compared to 60% and 79% with extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses.
Precision Astigmatism Correction
Residual astigmatism after cataract surgery is common. The LAL corrects astigmatism during the LDT process, even astigmatism that was not fully addressed during surgery. In our published data, 100% of eyes achieved residual cylinder within ±0.50 D—compared to 92.3% in the multi-centre registry. Mean residual astigmatism: just 0.07 D.
Blended Vision Optimization
Every patient’s tolerance for blended vision is different. Our priority is always comfort—we push toward greater range from distance to near only as far as the patient can go without sacrificing visual comfort. With a fixed IOL, the surgeon must commit to a blended target before surgery and hope the patient adapts. The LAL changes this entirely: we can verify that you are comfortable with your binocular balance and then maximize your range of focus accordingly. 93% of our LAL patients chose blended vision (vs. 79% in the national registry), and LAL blended-vision patients achieved superior distance and intermediate acuity compared to EDOF—because the balance was tested and refined, not guessed.
Reduced Need for Glasses
Because the LAL can be adjusted to match your exact visual needs, many patients achieve excellent uncorrected vision at their target distances. In our experience, 88% of patients achieved binocular uncorrected distance vision of 20/25 or better—with a significantly lower rate of bothersome glare and halos compared to multifocal and EDOF lenses (1% vs. 16% in our comparative study).
Laser Precision Built In
UltraView VISION includes UltraView ReLACS™ femtosecond laser surgery as standard. Your procedure begins with laser-guided corneal incisions, capsulotomy, and lens softening—then continues with post-operative Light Delivery adjustments. Surgical precision and lens adjustability in one program.
Who benefits most from the LAL
The Light Adjustable Lens is well-suited for patients who want the most personalized vision outcome possible after cataract surgery.
Especially recommended if you:
- Want the ability to customize your vision after surgery
- Have high visual demands and want the most precise outcome
- Do not have cataracts but want to reduce dependence on glasses through refractive lens exchange (RLE) with the most adjustable lens available
- Are interested in blended vision and want to test the balance before committing
- Have astigmatism that you want corrected with maximum precision
- Value reducing dependence on glasses as much as possible
- Can commit to the full LDT visit schedule (6–8 weeks of follow-up appointments)
- Have had previous refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK) where the LAL can precisely account for your unique corneal shape
Dry eye screening is essential: A pre-surgical dry eye assessment at U Dry Eye Institute (UDEI) is an important part of UltraView VISION preparation. Optimal lubrication is critical for accurate measurements before surgery and precise adjustments during LDT.
The LAL may not be recommended if you:
- Have ocular disease that reduces visual potential regardless of lens choice (advanced glaucoma, macular degeneration)
- Have active autoimmune or collagen vascular disorders
- Cannot commit to wearing UV-protecting glasses during the entire post-operative period
- Cannot attend regular LDT follow-up appointments or must travel during the adjustment period
- Have corneal conditions that make the cornea too thin or irregularly shaped for surgery
Not sure? Your dedicated Surgical Counsellor will walk you through every option as part of your Cataract Journey. They are your single point of contact from consultation through surgery and beyond, and will help you and your surgeon determine whether the LAL is the right choice for your visual goals. For patients exploring laser vision correction, U Eye Laser Cosmetic (UELC) offers a full range of refractive options.
The Complete UltraView VISION Timeline
The UltraView VISION experience extends beyond the operating room. Here is what to expect at each stage:
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Pre-Operative | Comprehensive eye examination, biometry measurements, and dry eye assessment. Your surgeon confirms LAL candidacy and discusses your vision goals. You receive your Cataract Information Booklet and pre-operative instructions. |
| Surgery Day | Cataract surgery with LAL implantation (15–20 minutes per eye) at U Surgical Centre. You receive three pairs of UV-protecting glasses—shaded for outdoor use, clear for distance indoors, and clear for reading. You must wear one of these glasses during all waking hours until after your final Lock-in session. |
| Week 1 Post-Op | Standard post-operative follow-up appointment. Your eye is healing. Vision may be blurry and still fluctuating—this is expected. Continue all prescribed eye drops. |
| Week 3 Post-Op | First LDT session (approximately 2–3 hours). Your vision is tested, expectations discussed, and the first Light Delivery adjustment is performed. |
| Weeks 4–8 | Additional Adjustment sessions (up to 3 total) and two mandatory Lock-in sessions. At each visit, your vision is re-assessed. The interval between sessions allows the lens to settle into its new shape. |
| Lock-In Complete | After the final Lock-in session, your LAL is permanently fixed. UV-protecting glasses are no longer required after 24 hours. Your surgeon provides a final prescription if glasses are needed for any remaining tasks. Visit U Optical for updated eyewear once your vision is stable. |
| 3, 6, 12 Months | Follow-up visits with your referring optometrist to monitor long-term stability and ensure continued satisfaction with your vision. |
If surgery is planned for both eyes, the second eye is typically scheduled one to three weeks after the first. Your surgeon will coordinate the LDT schedule for both eyes.
What to Expect After Surgery
Recovery from UltraView VISION includes both the standard cataract surgery healing period and the Light Delivery Treatment adjustment phase. Here are the key things to know:
| UV-Protecting Glasses | You will receive three pairs of UV-protecting glasses: shaded for outdoor use, clear for distance indoors, and clear for reading. You must wear one of these glasses during all waking hours from the moment of surgery until after your final Lock-in session. Unprotected UV exposure can cause uncontrolled changes to the lens before it is permanently set. |
| Activity During LDT | Most patients return to daily routines within a few days of surgery. Avoid rubbing your eyes, heavy lifting, and swimming for the first week. You can resume driving once your surgeon confirms adequate vision. The main restriction throughout the LDT period is consistent UV-glass wear and keeping all scheduled adjustment appointments. |
| Vision Fluctuation | Your vision will fluctuate during the LDT adjustment period—this is expected and by design. Each Light Delivery session fine-tunes the lens shape, so vision shifts between appointments are a normal part of the process. Final stable vision is achieved only after the Lock-in sessions are complete. |
| Dry Eye Management | Temporary dry eye symptoms are common after cataract surgery and can affect the precision of your LDT adjustments. Continue all prescribed lubricating drops and follow the dry eye management plan from your pre-surgical UDEI assessment. Optimal ocular surface health is essential for the most accurate Light Delivery results. |
Understanding the risks
The LAL carries the same surgical risks as any cataract procedure, plus considerations specific to the Light Delivery Treatment process:
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard surgical risks | All risks associated with cataract surgery apply: corneal edema, elevated eye pressure, posterior capsular opacity, infection, and retinal detachment. Your surgeon will discuss your individual risk profile. |
| UV exposure before Lock-in | Unprotected UV exposure before your Lock-in sessions can cause uncontrolled changes to the lens. Strict adherence to the UV-protecting glasses protocol is essential for a successful outcome. |
| Under- or over-correction | While the LAL allows adjustments, vision results may vary. Complete spectacle independence is not a guarantee. Some patients may still need glasses for certain tasks after LDT is complete. |
| Halos and glare | Some patients experience visual disturbances at night, particularly in the early post-operative period. These typically improve as the eye heals and inflammation subsides. |
| Commitment required | The LAL requires more follow-up visits than standard IOLs. Missing LDT appointments or failing to wear UV glasses can compromise your visual outcome. |
| Travel restrictions | You must remain available for LDT appointments throughout the 6–8 week adjustment period. Extended travel during this time is not recommended. |
Your surgeon will discuss your individual risk factors during your consultation. All risks and the commitment involved will be explained in full before any decision is made.
Your VISION surgeons
UltraView VISION is performed by our certified LAL surgeons—physicians with specialized training in Light Adjustable Lens implantation and Light Delivery Treatment optimization.
Dr. Raj Maini
MD, FRCSC
Brampton · Vaughan · Scarborough
Dr. Sohel Somani
MD, FRCSC, DABO
Brampton · Vaughan
Dr. Eric S. Tam
MD, FRCSC
Brampton · Etobicoke · Vaughan · Scarborough
Only UltraView VISION certified surgeons perform LAL procedures at Uptown Eye Specialists. Our broader cataract surgical team includes additional Board-certified, hospital-credentialed surgeons with expertise in both traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Common questions about UltraView VISION
Ready to explore your options?
The first step is a comprehensive cataract evaluation. Your surgeon will examine your eyes, discuss your vision goals, and explain whether UltraView VISION is right for you.
The information presented on this website is educational only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. UltraView VISION outcomes vary by patient anatomy and individual healing response. Complete spectacle independence is not a guarantee. Consult your eye care provider to determine if UltraView VISION is right for you.