Question:
My wife and I just ordered a Retyne mask and controller. My wife has a lens implants since she had her cataracts removed. Will she be able to use the mask and controller or is it too dangerous given her implants? Thanks.
Answer:
Since the client had cataract surgery and now have intraocular lens implants (IOLs), it’s natural to wonder whether using a light-based therapy device like the Retyne mask and controller is safe. IOLs are made of clear, durable materials such as acrylic or silicone, designed to permanently replace your natural lens after cataract removal. These lenses transmit visible and near-infrared light, though some types filter certain wavelengths, such as blue-light filtering IOLs.
Infrared and visible light pass through IOLs just as they do through a natural lens, so the implants don’t block therapeutic light from reaching the retina and surrounding tissues. The materials used in IOLs are inert and not heat-sensitive at normal therapeutic levels, so the light itself won’t damage the implant. What some people do experience after cataract surgery, however, is greater light sensitivity, as the new lenses can make eyes feel more glare or brightness compared to natural lenses. For this reason, starting with a lower intensity setting or shorter session times can make the experience more comfortable.
In short, having IOL implants does not make it inherently dangerous to use a device like the Retyne mask and controller. The implants are stable and allow light to pass through safely. The main consideration is personal comfort: if you notice the brightness feels too strong, you can use a tissue or paper towel as a barrier or simply adjust the mask to a lower setting.
I thought to add some background Retyne Science here, for your benefit.
Infrared wavelengths interact with intraocular lenses (IOLs) in much the same way as visible light, but there are a few details worth noting. Modern IOLs are designed to transmit the majority of visible and near-infrared light, since these ranges are important for normal vision and for medical imaging. Unlike ultraviolet light, which is largely blocked by both natural lenses and most implants to protect the retina, near-infrared light passes through the implant material without being absorbed in any significant way. This means the infrared output from the Retyne mask is able to reach the tissues of the retina and surrounding structures, regardless of whether you have natural lenses or artificial implants.
Because IOLs are made of stable polymers such as acrylic or silicone, they do not heat up or degrade under normal therapeutic light levels. The infrared light essentially passes through them unchanged. The only difference some people may notice after cataract surgery is a heightened sensitivity to brightness or glare, which is more related to the clarity of the new lens than to the infrared wavelengths themselves.
In practice, this means that the infrared component of the Retyne mask sessions will work in exactly the same way for someone with implants as for someone with natural lenses. The implants allow infrared to transmit cleanly, so the therapeutic effect is preserved. If anything feels uncomfortably intense, it’s usually more about your personal sensitivity to light rather than any issue with the IOLs themselves.
