What is a Refractive Lens Exchange?
RLE is an elective surgical procedure that removes your eye’s natural lens and is replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) to improve your vision. The synthetic IOL is designed to remain permanently inside in the eye.
Who is a candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?
Generally, Refractive Lens Exchange is an option for anybody with a vision prescription. The patient needs a healthy eye, a healthy tear film, and realistic expectations. When comparing refractive lens exchange versus LASIK, age is the most important criterion. Patients over 40 will enjoy the most benefits from RLE, especially those concerned with age-related lens changes like presbyopia and cataracts. Other considerations include individuals with higher prescriptions that they do not qualify for laser correction procedures like LASIK or PRK and are tired of wearing bifocals or progressives lenses for both reading and distance vision.
What to expect on surgery day
Most patients take a mild sedative before their RLE procedure to help them relax during the procedure. You’ll be awake during the entire procedure. Your surgeon will use numbing eye drops to numb the eyes. A speculum is used to hold your eyelids open while you stare at a designated light. You will not have to worry about blinking during the procedure. The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and sterile coverings will be placed around your eye to keep the surgical area clean during the procedure. Under an operating microscope, the ophthalmologist will make a small cut at the edge of your cornea. The natural lens is gently fragmented and removed by the use of ultrasound. Then the IOL is implanted to replace the natural lens that was removed. The small opening in the eye closes without stitches. The refractive lens exchange procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.
Patients should not drive home following the surgery. While eyes may start to heal quickly after surgery, blurred vision and dilated pupils might remain for 24 to 48 hours. Recovery will vary from patient to patient. In general, patients will see improvements to their vision several days after the procedure.
Once vision clears, a patient may resume work and light physical activity. It's usually best to wait two weeks to restart a full range of activities. Your Oakland optometrist will tell you when you’re allowed to safely resume driving and about any other limitations you’ll have during the recovery period. While you’ll see an immediate improvement in your vision, it can take a few weeks to experience all the benefits of the procedure. You might have blurry vision and discomfort while your eye heals. Your doctor will give you prescription eyedrops to prevent infection and inflammation as well as artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.
How does a Refractive Lens Exchange improve your visual Health?
A RLE improves your vision so that you are less reliant on glasses and contact lenses. Your surgeon can choose from so many different types of IOLs to ensure your vision is corrected as much as possible. Advancements in premium IOLs technology can now to be implanted for almost any lifestyle.
What are the benefits of a Refractive Lens Exchange?
The refractive lens exchange procedure has several benefits:
Refractive Lens Exchange expands vision correction options to more patients.
RLE is an option for anybody with a vision prescription but it can be especially beneficial for those higher prescription that do not qualify for laser eye surgeries like LASIK or PRK. It is almost primarily considered for those who are experiencing early cataract development.
Protects you from developing cataracts.
With IOLs, patients can enjoy stable vision and eliminate the risk of visually significant cataracts in the future as they are synthetic and cannot develop cataracts.
Extends range of clearer vision with premium IOLs.
Recent advancements have resulted in multifocal, advanced lifestyle lenses, and accommodating lens implants. These new lenses allow the patient to focus at different distances, giving good distance vision, plus improving intermediate or near vision. It also reduces the potential glare or halo that may be associated with LASIK and PRK surgery.
Reduce overall future costs of all eyewear and corrective vision surgery.
Patients should consider the cost and expenses that will be eliminated when electing refractive surgery or RLE. Future cost for glasses, annual contact lens supply, and potential future cataract surgeries could be substantial in comparison.
Contact us today to see if a refractive lens exchange is right for your visual needs.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Refractive lens exchange is an excellent alternative for individuals who are not eligible for other types of laser eye surgery like LASIK or PRK. It has gained popularity in recent years for the treatment of patients with high degrees of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism and early stages of cataract development. While refractive lens exchange surgery is more invasive and has a longer recovery period, it has some advantages that make it ideal for many patients.
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Laser Eye Surgery
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
An alternative for individuals who aren’t eligible for laser eye surgery.
