What Is a Refractive Lens Exchange?

If you’re 40 or older and have severe farsightedness or presbyopia (an age-related loss of near focus), you’ve probably wondered about alternatives to eyeglasses or contact lenses. While there’s nothing wrong with these devices, cleaning and caring for them can be inconvenient, not to mention they can be easily broken or forgotten. 

Because of these drawbacks, many middle-aged and older adults are opting for refractive lens exchange (RLE). This procedure effectively replaces your natural lens with an artificial one, removing the need for devices altogether. But what does the procedure entail, and is it right for you?

Anand Bhatt, MD, and our team at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma in Santa Ana, California, are specialists in RLE surgery. Keep reading to learn how RLE works, who’s a good candidate, and the potential benefits and risks.

How refractive lens exchange works

RLE is a lot like cataract surgery in that it involves removing your eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one, called an intraocular lens (IOL). The difference is that this procedure is elective and performed before visually significant cataracts develop.

IOLs can be customized to correct near, distance, or both types of vision, helping reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.

The procedure is quick and relatively painless. Most operations take 10-15 minutes per eye, and many patients can return to work and other activities soon after.

Who’s a good candidate for RLE?

Consider RLE if you’re 40 or older and have severe farsightedness or presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects). This is especially true if you’ve been told you aren’t a candidate for LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery and your vision prescription is stable.

Since RLE is particularly effective at addressing blurry near vision, it’s a great option for people who wear bifocals or reading glasses.

That said, RLE isn’t for everyone. For example, we may recommend a different procedure if you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic eye condition, such as glaucoma or retinal disease.

Benefits and risks

Now that you know what RLE involves and who it’s for, let’s take a look at the potential benefits and risks. Benefits include:

• Permanent vision correction (no more glasses or contact lenses)
• Corrects both near and distance vision (with multifocal or accommodating lenses)
• No risk of developing cataracts in the future

Despite these benefits, RLE also presents risks. For example, after surgery, some people experience side effects, such as dry eyes, halos around lights, and rarely retinal detachment or infection. Similarly, RLE is more invasive than other vision correction surgeries, like LASIK. As a result, recovery may take slightly longer.

Schedule an RLE surgery consultation today

Dr. Bhatt and his team at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma love transforming their patients' vision with RLE surgery. The procedure has a proven track record and provides life-changing results for qualifying candidates.

Schedule a consultation today by calling our office in Santa Ana, California, at 714-541-4185 or using the online booking feature. With today’s advanced technology, RLE is safer and more effective than ever before.