What to Expect After Refractive Lens Exchange
While laser eye surgery is the most popular type of vision correction, it may not be right for you. Refractive lens exchange is an excellent option for many people. Artificial lenses last a lifetime, and they can provide you with improved range of vision.
What is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a procedure that removes your natural lens and replaces it with an artificial one. The lens is a curved disc found behind the colored part of your eye. It changes the angle of light entering your eye.
While laser eye surgery corrects vision by reshaping the cornea, RLE improves your vision by replacing your lens with one that corrects the focus of incoming light.
How Does Refractive Lens Exchange Work?
RLE uses an artificial lens that replaces your natural one. The natural lenses are gently broken up and removed with an ultrasound probe, and the new lens is placed into the capsule. The procedure takes about ten minutes per eye.
The incision is so small that it requires no sutures and heals on its own. The new lens can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatisml. What to Expect After Refractive Lens Exchange
You can go home after your procedure, although you will need someone to drive you. You may notice clearer, brighter vision right away. You will have eye drops to use for several weeks. You can return to most of your usual activities within two weeks if you follow your post-procedure instructions.
What are the Benefits of Refractive Lens Exchange?
Young lenses are flexible and clear, but with age, lenses become stiffer and develop clouding called cataracts. Artificial lenses never develop cataracts and never need to be removed.
The function of an artificial lens will not decline over time. It can correct more significant vision problems than laser eye surgery and allows you to see clearly at all distances. RLE is highly effective in improving vision, even for some people who are not good candidates for laser eye surgery.
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.
Am I a Good Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?
RLE makes an excellent option for many people, especially those who:
- Are over the age of 40
- Have a prescription too strong for laser eye surgery to correct
- Want to avoid the development of cataracts
- Want an improved range in vision
While the typical laser eye surgery candidate is between 20 and 40, many candidates for RLE are over the age of 40. Most people with healthy eyes make good candidates. Unlike laser eye surgery, RLE can also treat presbyopia, trouble with reading, and similar tasks caused by stiffening of the lens.
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!
