How Safe Is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Are you over 40 and looking for ways to improve your vision? Refractive lens exchange is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that can correct your vision and prevent your lenses from changing as you age. RLE uses an implantable lens designed to last a lifetime.
What is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive lens exchange is a procedure to correct your vision. Unlike laser eye surgery, which reshapes the cornea, RLE removes your natural lens, the disc-shaped structure that focuses light. It replaces your lens with an artificial one (an IOL or intraocular lens). These lenses come in many types that offer different benefits and types of vision correction.
How Safe is Refractive Lens Exchange?
As a result, eye surgeons perform this procedure regularly with excellent results and a very low risk of complications. The materials used for the IOL are safe enough to remain in your eye for a lifetime without causing problems or even being noticed.
Refractive lens exchange is best for people who meet other requirements, including:
- Healthy eyes
- Reasonable expectations
- Have a refractive error within the range that RLE can treat
Many people who have RLE are 40 or older. People in this age range are often developing presbyopia, an age-related hardening of the lens that makes reading difficult. RLE corrects this problem and ensures it will never come back. Your new lenses will also never develop cataracts, making it the only lens replacement you will ever need to have.
Request a Consultation
We’d love to help you get all the information you need in order to make the best choice for your eyes. Request a consultation today! Our staff is available and happy to answer your every question.
How Does Refractive Lens Exchange Work?
Your eye surgeon will numb your eyes before performing this procedure. A tiny incision is made in the capsule that contains the lens and keeps it in place. The lens is gently broken up and extracted, allowing the IOL to be placed into the capsule. These lenses are designed to anchor in place and never budge. The incision does not usually require any sutures and will heal quickly.
What is Recovery Like After Refractive Lens Exchange?
Some people notice that they can see more clearly immediately after RLE. You may experience some irritation for a few days to weeks as your eyes heal. Use your eye drops as instructed to help you heal quickly. Most people can return to their usual activities within a few days. Your vision will stabilize and improve over the next few weeks.
What Results Will I See After Refractive Lens Exchange?
Almost everyone who has RLE experiences significant vision improvements. Some people no longer need glasses or contact lenses. Others may only need them for specific tasks like reading or driving. RLE provides the same level of vision correction as LASIK with the added benefit of sparing you from cataract surgery later in life.
Take the Next Step
To learn more about refractive lens exchange, please schedule your consultation by either filling out the form on this page or by calling (780) 452-4111. We look forward to helping you!
