How Long Does a Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL®) Last?

Posted on September 22, 2026 (September 22, 2026) by Stuart Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.S., Rachel Lewis, O.D., & Tammy Gray, O.D.

Adult with glasses using a desktop computer at a wooden table at home, looking focused, with a bookshelf in the background.

Key Takeaways

The Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL®) by RxSight is designed to stay in your eye long term, with no routine replacement expected.
The lens material responds to UV light delivered in the office, so the power can be fine-tuned after your eye heals.
Many people have 1 to 3 adjustment sessions, each about 90 seconds, spaced at least 3 days apart.
Two final treatments lock the power in place.
UV-protective glasses are worn during waking hours for roughly 4 to 5 weeks.

Our team at Cherry Creek Eye Physicians & Surgeons hears a common worry from people in their 30s and 40s who are considering cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange: that choosing a lens is a one-shot decision. The lens goes in, and whatever vision you wake up with is the vision you keep. That thought alone makes a lot of people put off scheduling.

The Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL®) by RxSight is designed to stay in your eye long term, with no routine replacement or upkeep required, while still allowing you to fine-tune your vision in the weeks after surgery.

How Long the LAL® Stays in Your Eye

The LAL® is designed to stay in place for the long term. For patients considering cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, this corrective surgery is generally a once-in-a-lifetime procedure, so the lens does not need to be routinely replaced or refreshed later.

How the LAL® Technology Works

The LAL® is made from a photosensitive material that responds to ultraviolet light. That responsiveness is what allows the power to be shaped after it’s already sitting in your eye.

Adjustments happen in the office using a Light Delivery Device™ (LDD™). Your eye heals first, and then the lens power is fine-tuned based on any visual preferences you may have after the new lens has been implanted.

What Makes It Different from Fixed Lenses?

With a standard fixed lens, the power is chosen before surgery and stays exactly as it was implanted. With the LAL, in addition to your doctor choosing your specific power before surgery, the surgeon then has the ability to adjust the power of your lens several times after the procedure.

Benefits of the LAL®

Your day probably doesn’t look like your neighbor’s. You might spend hours on a laptop, then coach a kid’s soccer game, then read before bed. The adjustment process helps your vision be matched to that routine.

You also get to test-drive a prescription before anything is locked in. If distance feels sharp but the dashboard reads a little soft, that feedback can shape the next session.

Astigmatism can be fine-tuned after your eye heals
What you notice during real tasks, like night driving or reading a menu, shapes each session.
Many people reach for glasses less often during everyday activities.

A person in sunglasses and navy fleece jacket standing on a grassy sports field with soccer goals and mountains in the distance.

Glasses After Your Lens Is Set

Many people choose a blend of near, middle, and distance vision. Your reading preferences get discussed before anything is finalized, so if paperbacks matter more to you than road signs, our team can factor that in. Some people still reach for glasses for certain tasks, and that’s normal.

What to Expect Once the Lens Is Locked In

Expectations can shift depending on your needs, but typically:

You’ll have 1 to 3 adjustment sessions, each lasting about 90 seconds.
Sessions are spaced at least 3 days apart to give your eye time between treatments.
Two final treatments lock the lens power in place.

UV-Protective Glasses and Your Timeline

Between surgery and your final treatment, you’ll wear UV-protective glasses during waking hours, indoors and outdoors. That includes screen time at your desk, not just afternoons in the sun.

Plan on roughly 5 to 7 weeks total. If you’re having both eyes treated, ask about the timing between each eye.

Talk with an Eye Doctor in Denver About Your Options

The LAL® isn’t the right fit for everyone. Certain eye conditions, medications, or an inability to attend the follow-up sessions can make a different lens a closer match, and an ophthalmologist can walk you through that during a consultation.

Our team at Cherry Creek Eye Physicians & Surgeons can review your options and help you decide what fits your eyes and your routine. Book a consultation with an eye doctor in Denver.

Stuart Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Stuart Lewis moved to Denver in 1979 after receiving his Bachelor of Arts in neurobiology and behavior from Cornell University in 1974, earning his Doctor of Medicine from George Washington University in 1978 and completing an internal medicine internship at Northwestern University in 1979. At the conclusion of his ophthalmology residency at the University of Colorado in 1982, he entered private practice.

Dr. Lewis was board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1983 and was elected to be a Fellow and Diplomat of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1984. In 2018, he was selected as a Lifetime Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Lewis has been an active community member in Denver, having built the Cherry Creek Eye Center in 1985, one of the first inclusive Eye facilities in Denver, and created Cherry Creek Eye Physicians & Surgeons, P.C. He has served on various boards, including the Investigational Research Review Board at Rose Medical Center, and was an original board member at Harvard Park Surgical Center.

Dr. Lewis served at least 2 terms as Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Rose Medical Center. He also holds a position as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado eye residency program and was a Visiting Professor of Ophthalmology at the Elias Santana Hospital in the Dominican Republic.

In 2018, Cherry Creek Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.C. was listed as the 36th highest-rated business in Colorado based on patient reviews by “Top Rated.” Dr. Lewis is an active alpine and cross-country skier, bicyclist, and golfer. He also enjoys travel, birding, bridge, and opera.

Rachel Lewis, O.D.

Dr. Rachel Lewis is a highly skilled optometrist contributing her passion for eye care and a wealth of experience to Cherry Creek Eye Physicians & Surgeons, P.C.

Dr. Lewis earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA. Before pursuing her optometry degree, she completed a Pre-Health Post Baccalaureate Program at New York University and University of Colorado Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Amherst College and spent time studying abroad at Université de Grenoble in France.

Her area of practice is comprehensive primary eye care, with a focus in ocular surface diseases such as dry eye and keratoconus. Her practice also includes contact lens services (specialty, multifocal and soft contact lens fittings), myopia control, glaucoma management, pre-operative evaluations and post-operative care for a wide range of procedures.

Dr. Lewis is deeply committed to public service and has volunteered her expertise at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Stout Street Eye Clinic. She has also traveled to Honduras on a medical mission trip to provide primary care services and eyeglasses to underserved communities.

Outside of her practice, Dr. Lewis enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She takes advantage of the Colorado lifestyle as much as possible with outdoor activities including skiing, camping, tennis and golf. She is also passionate about experiencing other cultures through travel and cuisine.

Whether you are seeking routine eye exams, specialized contact lens fittings, or the management of complex ocular conditions, Dr. Lewis is here to help.

Tammy Gray, O.D.

Dr. Tammy Gray has been a key member of the Cherry Creek Eye Physicians & Surgeons team since 2012 and has practiced in Colorado since 2008. Her blend of professionalism and personal warmth makes her a valued member of our team and community.

After earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA, in 2006, Dr. Gray honed her skills with a residency in Ocular Disease and Surgical Co-Management at Eye Care Associates of Nevada. Her journey into optometry was built on a solid foundation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.

Dr. Gray is passionate about providing comprehensive primary eye care, focusing on anterior segment diseases, like keratoconus and dry eye, and fitting scleral contact lenses.

Outside the office, Dr. Gray loves spending quality time with her husband, son, and extended family. She’s a supportive sports mom, cheering on her son at his sporting events, and relishes the joy of movies, live theatre, reading, and exploring new places through travel.

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