At Southern Eye Group, we offer a full range of vision correction procedures to our patients in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and throughout the Gulf Coast region. One option we offer is refractive lens exchange, which can help patients achieve clearer vision even when they aren’t candidates for laser vision correction procedures like LASIK and PRK.
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is sometimes referred to as clear lens exchange or clear lens extraction. This is a refractive surgery procedure that involves removing the eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Refractive lens exchange is identical to the procedure for cataract surgery, except that it is performed on an elective basis to correct refractive errors. Refractive lens exchange is an ideal option for patients who aren’t good candidates for laser vision correction procedures like LASIK and PRK. Especially for patients with presbyopia (age-related near vision loss), refractive lens exchange is beneficial in that it treats vision at a range of distances, unlike LASIK.
Refractive lens exchange can be used to treat common refractive errors, and we offer a variety of advanced IOL options to help patients achieve freedom from corrective eyewear. A refractive error is a problem with the way the eye bends (refracts) light onto the retina to produce clear images. Common refractive errors treatable with RLE include:
Benefits of refractive lens exchange eye surgery include:
Patients who are not good candidates for LASIK surgery, PRK, or EVO ICL (implantable collamer lens) can still benefit from vision correction with refractive lens exchange. A good candidate for refractive lens exchange:
Attending a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist is the first step in preparing for refractive lens exchange. During this appointment, you will undergo vision tests and an eye examination and your eye doctor will evaluate your medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for RLE.
Once your eye surgery has been scheduled, a member of our team will give you detailed instructions about preparing for RLE as well as what to expect during the recovery process. Your follow-up appointment with your refractive surgeon will also be scheduled at this time. You won’t be able to drive yourself home after the refractive lens exchange procedure, so you should make arrangements for transportation.
The refractive lens exchange procedure is identical to the procedure for cataract surgery. While RLE takes only 10-15 minutes to perform, you should expect to be at our eye care center for a few hours on the day of your refractive surgery.
Before beginning the refractive lens exchange procedure, your eye surgeon will apply anesthetic eye drops to help you stay comfortable. A device will gently hold your eye open so you won’t need to worry about blinking. To begin the surgical procedure, your eye surgeon will make a small incision in the cornea and break up the eye’s natural lens before removing it. This is followed by the implantation of the intraocular lens (IOL).
The corneal incision for refractive lens exchange is so small that no sutures are required: your eye will naturally heal itself. Once the procedure is complete, you will be fitted with a protective eye shield and recover briefly here before being released to be driven home by a friend or family member.
When you get home after your refractive lens exchange surgical procedure, you will likely want to rest. Please be careful not to touch or rub your eye, and keep the protective shield in place when you sleep for the first day.
You will be sent home with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops that you’ll use for the first few days after RLE. You may feel some mild discomfort or itching, and this can be managed with over-the-counter medication. You will be able to resume most normal activities after 48 hours.
Your vision may be blurry immediately after refractive lens exchange. This will quickly resolve. You will quickly notice an improvement in your vision, and the full extent of your vision correction will be noticeable within a couple of weeks. Many of our patients are able to significantly reduce their dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses after RLE, and some can eliminate corrective eyewear entirely.
Refractive lens exchange is considered to be a safe procedure, especially when performed by an experienced ophthalmologist. Risks and complications of refractive lens exchange are the same as with cataract surgery and are rare. They may include:
The cost of refractive lens exchange varies according to the type of intraocular lens implant (IOL) used. Since RLE is an elective procedure, it is not covered by insurance. We offer a number of convenient payment options to help each of our patients achieve their dream of clearer vision.
If you live in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi or the Gulf Coast region and wish to pursue clearer vision, refractive lens exchange at Southern Eye Group may be ideal for you. To learn more about this procedure, please contact us to schedule a consultation with an ophthalmologist.
1 American Optometric Association. Myopia (nearsightedness). Available: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia. Accessed June 8, 2022.
2 American Optometric Association. Hyperopia (farsightedness). Available: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/hyperopia. Accessed June 8, 2022.
3 American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is Astigmatism? Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-astigmatism. Accessed June 8, 2022.