Are you tired of depending on glasses or contact lenses? Refractive Lens Exchange might be the solution you’re looking for.
This advanced vision correction procedure can help you achieve clearer vision at all distances, reducing or eliminating your need for corrective eyewear.
What is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), also called Clear Lens Exchange (CLE), is a procedure that aims to correct your natural refractive error and provide greater visual freedom. Refractive Lens Exchange can be an excellent option for anyone over the age of forty experiencing presbyopia, which is the age-related change in vision that causes blurriness when looking at things up close.
Beyond this, RLE can be a great option for a variety of people looking to reduce their dependency on glasses and contact lenses. This procedure is very safe and has a high success rate.
Unlike LASIK, which reshapes your cornea, RLE addresses vision problems by replacing your eye’s natural lens. This makes it particularly effective for people with presbyopia, high prescriptions, or thin corneas that might not be suitable for laser vision correction.
The procedure can also prevent the need for cataract surgery later in life, as the artificial lens cannot develop cataracts.
What Happens During Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive Lens Exchange is typically a quick and straightforward procedure. First, your eye doctor will numb the surface of your eye.
Although you will be awake during the procedure, you will likely not feel anything except possibly some slight pressure. During the procedure, your eye surgeon will make a tiny incision in your eye and use ultrasound energy to gently break up and remove your natural lens.
They will then insert an advanced artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that’s specifically selected to match your refractive error. The procedure typically takes about 15-20 minutes per eye, and most patients have their second eye treated within a week or two of the first eye.
Before the procedure, your eyes will be thoroughly measured using advanced diagnostic equipment to determine the exact power of lens you need. Your eye surgeon will discuss these measurements with you and help select the best lens type for your vision goals.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. You’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure, so make sure to arrange for a family member or friend to drive you ahead of time.
Is Refractive Lens Exchange the Same as Cataract Surgery?
Refractive Lens Exchange uses the same surgical technique as modern cataract surgery. The main difference is that in cataract surgery, the surgeon removes a cloudy lens affected by cataracts, while in RLE, they remove a clear lens to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Both procedures are safe and have similar recovery processes, which is reassuring since cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide.
How Do I Know if Refractive Lens Exchange is Right For Me?
RLE might be a good option if you:
- Are over 40 and experiencing presbyopia
- Have moderate to severe farsightedness
- Are not a good candidate for LASIK or PRK
- Want to avoid developing cataracts later in life
- Desire greater independence from glasses or contact lenses
Your eye doctor at Omaha and Lincoln Eye and Laser Institute will perform a comprehensive examination and discuss your lifestyle needs to determine if RLE is the best choice for your situation.
Intraocular Lens Choices for Refractive Lens Exchange
The choice of lens is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your RLE journey. Each lens type has specific advantages, and your surgeon will help you choose based on your lifestyle, occupation, hobbies, and visual goals.
Factors to consider include how much you drive at night, how much time you spend reading or using digital devices, and whether you participate in activities requiring precise depth perception. At The Omaha and Lincoln Eye and Laser Institute, our cataract surgeons offer several advanced intraocular lens options:
Clearview IOL
The Lenstec ClearView 3 is an advanced multifocal lens offering superior vision across all distances with exceptional precision and minimal visual disturbances. This innovative lens features unique seamless transition zones that provide excellent near, intermediate, and distance vision while reducing common side effects like halos and glare.
Odyssey IOL
This advanced lens from Johnson & Johnson delivers a full range of continuous vision, from near to far, while providing enhanced contrast sensitivity and superior low-light performance. Its innovative design features a unique diffractive pattern that minimizes visual disturbances like halos and glare.
The lens is particularly effective at reducing chromatic aberration, resulting in more natural vision with fewer color distortions. This makes it an excellent choice for all daily activities, from reading to nighttime driving.
Toric IOL
Specifically designed for patients with astigmatism, this lens corrects both astigmatism and either nearsightedness or farsightedness in a single procedure.
PanOptix IOL
The PanOptix IOL by Alcon is a premium lens that provides clear vision at multiple distances, including near, intermediate, and far. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking maximum independence from glasses for all activities.
The lens’s advanced trifocal design delivers outstanding performance in various lighting conditions while minimizing unwanted visual effects like glare and halos.
What is the Recovery Like After Refractive Lens Exchange?
Recovery from RLE is typically smooth and quick. Most patients notice vision improvement within days, with full stabilization over a few weeks.
You can expect to need to:
- Use prescribed eye drops
- Wear protective shields while sleeping for the first week
- Avoid strenuous activity for about a week
- Attend follow-up appointments
Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days, though complete healing takes about a month. Your eye doctor will provide you with recovery instructions to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
While you’re healing, you may notice some mild fluctuations in your vision, particularly during the first few days. This is completely normal and typically resolves on its own.
You should avoid swimming and eye makeup for at least two weeks after surgery. Full stabilization of your vision can take up to three months, though most patients achieve good vision much sooner.
Do you want to learn more about Refractive Lens Exchange or determine if you might be a candidate for the procedure? Schedule an appointment at Omaha and Lincoln Eye and Laser Institute in Omaha, NE, today!
