Refractive Lens Exchange
If you’re over 50 and frustrated by reading glasses, bifocals, or progressive lenses—or you’re simply not a candidate for LASIK—Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a life-changing procedure that could be your path to visual freedom. RLE frees you from glasses and the worry of cataracts—by replacing your eye’s natural lens with a premium intraocular lens (IOL), giving you clear, lasting vision.
At K2 Vision, our surgeons specialize in modern vision correction—and bring unmatched experience to lens-based treatments. Dr. Andrew Kopstein, one of North America’s most experienced RLE surgeons, leads a team of highly trained ophthalmologists who focus exclusively on helping patients achieve visual freedom through procedures like RLE and cataract surgery.
We’ve helped thousands of people across Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, Portland, the Tri-Cities, and Scottsdale/Phoenix rediscover life without glasses—and we’re ready to help you take the first step toward visual freedom.
What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)?
(RLE) is an advanced, outpatient procedure that replaces the eye’s natural lens with a premium artificial lens, or intraocular lens (IOL). RLE is nearly identical to cataract surgery—but it’s performed before cataracts develop, making it a proactive solution for age-related vision changes. RLE surgery is designed to correct a wide range of refractive errors, reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses, and prevent cataracts from forming later in life. RLE is your first step toward visual freedom.
What Does RLE Treat?
RLE is a powerful option for patients with a variety of vision needs. It treats:
Presbyopia – Age-related loss of near vision, making it hard to read or see up close without glasses.1
Farsightedness (Hyperopia) – Difficulty seeing things up close, often worsening with age.2
Nearsightedness (Myopia) – Blurred distance vision, which can make driving or watching TV difficult.3
Astigmatism – A common imperfection in the cornea’s shape that causes blurry or distorted vision.4
What are the Benefits of Refractive Lens Exchange?
- Long-lasting, life-changing vision correction
- Eliminates the need for future cataract surgery
- Significant reduction in or freedom from reading glasses
- Customized IOL options, including multifocal and toric lenses and the Light Adjustable Lens™
- Fast recovery—many patients experience improved vision by the next day
- Outcomes powered by detailed pre-op testing and data from thousands of past procedures
RLE isn’t just about clearer vision—it’s the first step to living free. That’s the vision we believe in. Our patients are gaining back the ease and independence they thought they’d lost.
Explore Your IOL Options
One of the most exciting parts of Refractive Lens Exchange is the ability to choose a lens implant that’s tailored to your unique vision goals. At K2 Vision, we offer a full range of advanced intraocular lenses (IOLs), each designed to meet different lifestyle and prescription needs.
Our team will help you select the IOL that fits your vision and your life. Options include:
- Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL):
K2 Vision is the #1 provider of Light Adjustable Lenses in the U.S. This groundbreaking lens allows your vision to be fine-tuned after surgery, using a special light-based treatment. It’s the only IOL that can be adjusted after implantation, offering unmatched precision and personalization—especially helpful for patients with complex prescriptions or a history of LASIK or RK. - Toric IOLs:
Specifically designed to correct astigmatism, toric lenses help reduce distortion and improve clarity at distance and near.
- Multifocal IOLs:
Designed to reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses, multifocal lenses correct vision at multiple distances—near, far, and everything in between. Great for active lifestyles and patients seeking the most independence from glasses and contact lenses. - Monofocal IOLs:
These provide excellent clarity at a single distance (usually far). Patients often choose monovision with one eye focused for distance and the other for near, depending on their preferences.
Every eye is different, and your lifestyle, vision needs, and eye health all play a role in determining the right lens. At your RLE consultation, we’ll walk you through all your options and explain how each one could impact your daily life.
With the Light Adjustable Lens, we’re no longer limited to best guesses—we’re delivering customized vision based on how your eyes actually respond. It’s a game-changer.
Why Choose K2 Vision for RLE?
When it comes to lens-based vision correction, no one has more experience than K2 Vision. Collectively, our surgical team has performed nearly 200,000 lens-based procedures, making us one of the most experienced practices in North America. We are:
- The #1 provider of Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs) in the U.S.
- Ranked #2 nationally for multifocal lens procedures
- A practice dedicated exclusively to vision correction with premium lens implants designed to eliminate the need for glasses
- Powered by outcome data from thousands of patients to help predict your results
With tens of thousands of procedures behind us, we’re not relying on averages—we’re building your vision plan around outcomes we’ve seen firsthand, again and again.
Who is a Candidate for RLE?
RLE may be the right solution for you if:
- You’re over 50 and noticing the effects of presbyopia
- You’re tired of juggling reading glasses or progressive lenses
- You want a permanent solution that avoids future cataract surgery
- You’ve been told you’re not a candidate for LASIK surgery
- You have farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism
Start with a free consult to see if you’re a good candidate.
How Should I Prepare for In-Office Refractive Lens Exchange?
Your journey begins with a free, no-pressure consultation where our team takes the time to understand your vision goals and evaluate your overall eye health. During this visit, we’ll:
- Conduct advanced diagnostic imaging of your eyes, including measurements of your cornea, lens, and eye surface
- Review your medical history and current eyewear or contact lens use
- Discuss lifestyle factors like reading habits, screen time, and hobbies
- Talk through all available IOL options—including monofocal, multifocal, toric, and Light Adjustable Lenses—so you can make an informed choice
Note: If you wear contact lenses, we may ask you to stop wearing them for a few days before your evaluation, as they can temporarily affect the shape of your cornea.
We’ll also go over what to expect before and after surgery, answer all your questions, and provide detailed pre-op instructions tailored to you.
What Happens During Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery?
RLE is a quick, outpatient procedure that typically takes only about 15 minutes per eye. Here’s what you can expect on the day of surgery:
- Arrival and Prep: You’ll arrive at our center and be greeted by your care team. Numbing eye drops will be applied to ensure comfort, and you may receive a mild sedative to help you relax.
- Lens Removal: Your eye surgeon will make a tiny opening to gently remove your eye’s natural lens. This is done using precision microsurgical techniques with advanced technology.
- Lens Implantation: A new artificial lens—custom selected to match your vision goals—will be inserted and positioned securely in place. No stitches are needed.
- Recovery and Release: After a short time in our recovery area, you’ll head home the same day with post-op instructions and a supply of prescription eye drops.
Many patients choose to have the second eye treated within a few days of the first for quicker overall recovery.
What is Recovery Like After Refractive Lens Exchange?
Recovery is fast and typically very comfortable. Most patients notice clearer vision as soon as the next day, especially with multifocal or Light Adjustable Lenses. Here’s what to expect:
- First 24 Hours: Your vision may be slightly blurry, and your eyes may feel mildly dry or scratchy. Avoid strenuous activity, eye rubbing, or getting water in your eyes.
- First Week: Vision continues to stabilize. You’ll use prescription eye drops to support healing and reduce inflammation. Most people return to work and daily activities within 24–48 hours.
- First Month: You’ll attend one or more follow-up visits to ensure your eyes are healing properly. Your final visual outcome will continue to sharpen over time as your brain adjusts to the new lens.
Long Term: Your results are permanent, and you won’t develop cataracts in the future. You’ll enjoy crisp vision customized to your needs—and enhanced quality of life—with little or no reliance on glasses or readers.
What surprises patients most is not just how quick the procedure is—but how fast they see results. For many, it’s like turning the lights back on.
FAQs About Refractive Lens Exchange
What’s the difference between RLE and cataract surgery?
Both procedures involve replacing the natural lens with an IOL. The difference is timing: RLE is proactive, done before cataracts develop, while cataract surgery is reactive. (AAO)
Does RLE treat astigmatism?
Yes—many patients with astigmatism benefit from toric or multifocal IOLs designed to correct blurry or distorted vision.
Is RLE painful?
Not at all. The procedure is performed with numbing eye drops, and most patients report no discomfort and are surprised by how quick it is.
What are the risks of RLE?
Can I have RLE if I’ve had LASIK in the past?
Yes. Having LASIK in the past doesn’t disqualify you from RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange). In fact, many patients who had LASIK years ago choose RLE later in life to address age-related changes in vision, like presbyopia or early cataracts. During your consultation, we’ll thoroughly evaluate your eyes to ensure RLE is the right option for you.
What will my vision be like after RLE?
Most patients enjoy sharper, clearer vision at multiple distances—often without the need for reading glasses or bifocals. Your specific outcome depends on the type of lens implant selected, which we tailor to your visual goals and lifestyle. Many patients tell us it feels like turning back the clock on their eyesight.
Is RLE permanent?
Yes. RLE is a one-time procedure that replaces your natural lens with an artificial one designed to last a lifetime. Unlike laser vision correction, RLE also prevents the development of cataracts in the future, offering a long-term solution for vision correction.
Is RLE covered by insurance?
RLE is considered an elective vision correction procedure, so it’s not typically covered by insurance. However, many patients use health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), or financing options to make it more affordable. We’re happy to walk you through your options during your visit.
How much does Refractive Lens Exchange cost?
Costs vary depending on the lens type and your unique vision needs. While RLE is not typically covered by insurance, we offer flexible financing to make it accessible. Your free consult will include a personalized cost estimate.
When can I resume normal activities after RLE?
Most people return to normal routines in 1–2 days. We’ll give you detailed post-op instructions to keep your recovery smooth and safe.
How long do the results of RLE last?
The results are permanent. Since your natural lens is replaced with an artificial one, you won’t need cataract surgery later in life.
How do I get started?
Schedule your free RLE Zoom consultation at one of our locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, Portland, the Tri-Cities, or Scottsdale/Phoenix. 2 Vision is Freedom Vision—freedom from readers, glasses, contacts, and cataracts. Discover what it means to free your eyes—and your life—with Freedom Vision from K2 Vision RLE.
Citations
1American Optometric Association. Presbyopia. Available: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/presbyopia?sso=y. Accessed May 15, 2025.
2American Optometric Association. Hyperopia (farsightedness). Available: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/hyperopia. Accessed May 15, 2025.
3American Optometric Association. Myopia (nearsightedness). Available: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia. Accessed May 15, 2025.
4American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is Astigmatism? Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-astigmatism. Accessed May 15, 2025
5American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery. Accessed May 15, 2025.
