Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)?
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), also known as Lens Replacement Surgery (LRS) or Clear Lens Extraction (CLE), is a surgical procedure designed to correct vision problems, primarily presbyopia (age-related reading difficulty) and high levels of farsightedness or nearsightedness.
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RLE is essentially the same procedure as modern cataract surgery, but it is performed before a cataract develops. The surgeon replaces your eye's natural lens with a premium Intraocular Lens (IOL), offering potential freedom from glasses or contact lenses for most activities, often including reading.
Why Choose RLE?
RLE is often recommended for patients over 40-45 who:
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Are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction (like LASIK) due to moderate to severe refractive error.
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Want to correct presbyopia (need for reading glasses) and distance vision simultaneously.
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Wish to prevent the future development of cataracts, as the implanted IOL will never cloud over.
The Surgical Procedure
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Preparation: The eye is numbed with anesthetic eye drops (topical anesthesia), and a light sedative may be given to help you relax.
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Lens Removal: The surgeon makes a tiny incision (usually less than 3mm) and uses high-frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) to gently break up and suction out the eye's natural lens.
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IOL Insertion: The chosen IOL is folded and inserted through the same tiny incision. It unfolds and locks into place within the natural lens capsule.
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Completion: The small incision is self-sealing and typically requires no stitches. The procedure takes approximately 15–20 minutes per eye.
Pre-Operative Instructions (Before Surgery)
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Potential Risks and Side Effects
While RLE is generally safe, as with any surgery, there are risks. These will be discussed in detail by your surgeon, but the most common include:
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Halos or Glare: More common with multifocal lenses, this usually lessens over time.
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Infection (Endophthalmitis): A very rare but serious risk.
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Retinal Detachment: A rare risk, potentially higher in patients who are highly nearsighted.
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Secondary Cataract (PCO): The lens capsule can become cloudy months or years later. This is easily and quickly treated with a common in-office laser procedure (YAG capsulotomy).
If you experience sudden, severe pain, vision loss, or new flashes/floaters, contact our office immediately.