PROCEDURES

What is it?

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a process that removes the aging, dysfunctional lens and restores vision to a level that often cannot be achieved with LASIK surgery. Patients over 45 will often begin experiencing poor quality near, intermediate and even distance vision due to the natural aging of the lens, called “presbyopia”. These lens changes eventually end up causing cataracts. But many patients suffer from gradually worsening vision during their 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Instead of waiting years for a cataract to fully develop, RLE permanently replaces the dysfunctional lens in a 5-10 minute painless procedure. New technology intraocular lens implants (IOLs) can offer visual freedom by restoring distance, intermediate and near vision.

What happens during the procedure?

RLE is a 5-10 minute procedure where the eye is numbed with topical anesthesia and a 2 millimeter opening is made at the edge of the cornea. Through this small incision, a pen-like instrument called a phaco tip is placed into the eye to remove the dysfunctional lens, leaving the eye’s natural capsule in place. Then, through that same small incision, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) implant is placed into the capsule and rotated into position. There is typically no patching required for surgery with topical anesthesia. We expect our patients to have their vision restored by the next day.

Am I a candidate?

RLE is a great option for people suffering from DLS (Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome) or early cataracts, the result of a natural aging process that reduces visual clarity and focusing power and makes it harder to read up close or in low light situations. If you hear yourself complaining about how old you feel because you can’t see anymore, you’re probably a candidate.

What is it?

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a process that removes the aging, dysfunctional lens and restores vision to a level that often cannot be achieved with LASIK surgery. Patients over 45 will often begin experiencing poor quality near, intermediate and even distance vision due to the natural aging of the lens, called “presbyopia”. These lens changes eventually end up causing cataracts. But many patients suffer from gradually worsening vision during their 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Instead of waiting years for a cataract to fully develop, RLE permanently replaces the dysfunctional lens in a 5-10 minute painless procedure. New technology intraocular lens implants (IOLs) can offer visual freedom by restoring distance, intermediate and near vision.

What happens during the procedure?

RLE is a 5-10 minute procedure where the eye is numbed with topical anesthesia and a 2 millimeter opening is made at the edge of the cornea. Through this small incision, a pen-like instrument called a phaco tip is placed into the eye to remove the dysfunctional lens, leaving the eye’s natural capsule in place. Then, through that same small incision, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) implant is placed into the capsule and rotated into position. There is typically no patching required for surgery with topical anesthesia. We expect our patients to have their vision restored by the next day.

Am I a candidate?

RLE is a great option for people suffering from DLS (Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome) or early cataracts, the result of a natural aging process that reduces visual clarity and focusing power and makes it harder to read up close or in low light situations. If you hear yourself complaining about how old you feel because you can’t see anymore, you’re probably a candidate.