An alternative to LASIK yet similar to cataract surgery.
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Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Replacing The Natural Lens To Correct A Range Of Vision.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), also called clear lens extraction, is a popular option for patients who want to decrease or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts but are not suitable candidates for laser vision correction. RLE is typically for patients with moderate to severe farsightedness or those over the age of 40 who have become dependent on bifocals or reading glasses. During RLE, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens to correct a range of vision (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and/or presbyopia).
When we are young, the natural lens acts like the zoom function in a camera, allowing us to focus up close, without the need for reading glasses or bifocals. As we age, the lens progressively becomes dysfunctional resulting in loss of near vision (presbyopia) that requires the use of reading glasses or bifocals. With aging the lens also progressively becomes hard, yellow and cloudy (cataract), which blocks and scatters light reducing visual quality, quantity and color perception.
The lens continually ages throughout life, resulting in the need for reading glasses or bifocals in your 40s and cataract surgery in your 70s or 80s. Lens changes cause progressive deterioration in our vision and the progression is unpredictable and varies from person to person.
Frequently Asked Refractive Lens Exchange Questions
Types of Advanced Lenses
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is the only lens implant whose power can be adjusted after surgery by shining a precise pattern of ultraviolet light on the lens. Everyone heals differently after surgery, so many people have vision that is good but not quite perfect with non-adjustable lenses. The Light Adjustable Lens can be adjusted to correct any remaining nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
Advanced Multifocal Lens
The multifocal lens is similar to bifocal or trifocal glasses, and can provide a very wide range of vision. You will generally have the ability to see far away and read without glasses. More than 90% of patients with these lens implants use glasses never or only occasionally.
Advanced Extended Range Lens
The extended range lens falls in between the single focus lens and the multifocal lens. The extended range lens offers crisp distance vision day or night without the halos around lights one may have with the multifocal lens. It also offers excellent intermediate vision.
Advanced Toric Lens
The toric lens implant is designed to correct larger amounts of astigmatism. The other lenses do not provide good vision in patients with high astigmatism. The toric lens offers excellent distance or close vision (but not both) in patients with high astigmatism.
Small Aperture Lens
Utilizing advanced technology, the Small Aperture Lens provides clear and focused vision from close proximity to far distances, and everything in between. The IOL has been developed to eliminate unfocused light, which leads to unclear vision, and instead, allows only the focused light to reach the retina. As a result, objects and text appear clearer and more defined.
LIFE · CLARITY · FOCUS Schedule Your RLE Consultation & Comprehensive Exam
Find out about all of your treatment options. You don’t want to decide on a Refractive Lens Exchange treatment without learning all of the facts. Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprints, and you’ll want to consult a specialist to help you decide on the best way to preserve your vision.
At MSHVI, our Vision Correction Specialists will give you a thorough examination and explain all of your options, so that you can make an informed decision about the right solution for you.
