Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
RLE is often considered for middle to older aged individuals, who have significant refractive errors or suffer from presbyopia. Presbyopia is a universal age-related condition that affects near vision as people age.
How it Works
RLE is a surgical procedure that involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), with the goal of correcting one’s prescription, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism or ageing vision (presbyopia). RLE is similar to cataract surgery, where the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an IOL. However, in RLE, the lens is still clear.
Who is the Candidate
RLE is often considered for middle to older aged individuals, who have significant refractive errors or suffer from presbyopia. Presbyopia is a universal age-related condition that affects near vision as people age. As people get older, usually starting in their 40s or 50s, the natural lens inside the eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to see things up close, such as reading a book or looking at a phone.
To correct presbyopia, people often use dedicated reading glasses or bifocal/progressive glasses, which have different sections for near and distance vision. Surgical options, like monovision or multifocal intraocular lenses, are also available to address presbyopia and help people see clearly at different distances.
Safety
RLE is considered a safe and effective procedure. It has a similar safety profile to cataract surgery, which is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgeries worldwide. As with any surgery, there are potential risks and side effects, such as infection or changes in vision. However, serious complications are rare, and the procedure has a high success rate in improving vision. It's crucial to consult with an eye care professional to determine if RLE is the right option for you. They can assess your eye health, discuss potential risks and benefits, and provide personalized guidance based on their unique circumstances.
Intraocular Lens Options
This lens helps you see clearly at one specific distance. It's like having a camera set to focus on one specific thing – either far away or up close, but not both.
After surgery, your vision (typically for distance) will be very good and predictable
Less risk of glare and halos
Suitable for patients with other co-existing eye diseases (age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes in the eyes)
Ideal for those who prioritize vision quality rather than glasses independence
You will likely still need glasses for some things (typically readers)
This lens not only clears up cataracts but also fixes any blurry vision caused by astigmatism. Astigmatism is when the front part of the eye, called the cornea, is curved differently in one direction than in the other (shaped more oval like a football rather than round like a basketball).
All types of IOLs have a toric version that helps correct for astigmatism
Toric lens can correct astigmatism, improve those distorted images and help you see more clearly without glasses
slightly increased cost, but otherwise none
These lenses are primarily focused on the distance, but do provide a little extra boost for seeing at intermediate (arm’s length vision).
Enjoy better vision for everyday tasks, with less need for glasses for activities like computer use or seeing the dashboard of a car.
Minimal glare and haloes compared to multifocal IOL’s
Can be combined with monovision (see below) to improve glasses independence even further
If both eyes targeted for distance: You will likely still need glasses for near work (reading, cellphone etc).
If monovision: may take some time to adapt to the slight difference in vision between the two eyes (one for far, one for near)
This lens is like having a broader focus range – you can see far, mid-range, and sometimes up close without needing lots of glasses.
Less dependence on glasses than monofocal lenses
Less glare or halos compared to multifocal lenses
You might occasionally still need reading glasses
Occasional glare and haloes
Multifocal IOLs are designed to provide clear vision at different distances, thus potentially reducing or eliminating the need for glasses.
Multifocal IOLs have different zones with varying prescriptions, whereby each zone focuses light at a specific distance: near, intermediate, and far
Increased independence from glasses and contact lenses in daily activities
Increased risk of glare, halos or reduced contrast sensitivity, especially in low-light conditions. This can affect the overall quality of vision
May not be suitable for individuals with certain eye conditions, such as macular degeneration or corneal irregularities
This innovative lens allows for fine-tuning AFTER surgery to give you the clearest vision possible.
The LAL can be adjusted with a special light, allowing for prescription changes as desired. This will enable you to “test-drive” and ultimately choose the vision that fits your lifestyle and preferences before locking it in
This lens can be customized just for you, and adjustments are made to get your vision exactly right
The most results for patients who have previously had laser refractive surgery (LASIK, SMILE, PRK, RK) or have irregular corneas (keratoconus, corneal scars)
Excellent quality of vision for the chosen distance (far or near)
Monovision can be adopted to minimize the need for readers
A period of post-op healing/stability (usually 3-4 weeks) is required before light adjustments can be performed
In order to prevent unexpected changes to vision during the healing period from accidental exposure to UV light, patients are required to wear special UV-blocking glasses for a few weeks until the adjustment process is complete.