Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a procedure that replaces the natural lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to correct visual impairments like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia. The goal of refractive lens exchange is to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses and improve the patient’s overall visual quality.
Presbyopia is a natural age-related condition that affects the ability to focus on close objects. It typically begins to develop around the age of 40 and progresses with age when the natural lens loses flexibility.
As a result, you’ll notice that it becomes a lot harder to see things up close and right in front of you
Trying to complete tasks like texting on your phone, curling up with your favorite book, or putting on makeup will seem impossible without the help of reading glasses. Reading glasses are only a temporary measure for correcting presbyopia because when you take them off, your vision returns to the way it was before.
But with refractive lens exchange, you can permanently fix your sight and say goodbye to reading glasses! After the procedure, you’ll no longer need to worry about presbyopia or cataracts.
Refractive lens exchange is a procedure that replaces the natural lens in your eye with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens or IOL) to help you see clearly. If that sounds an awful lot like cataract surgery, it’s because these two procedures are virtually the same.
The only difference between the two? When you have cataract surgery, you have a cataract that forms on the natural lens. To remove the cataract, your cataract surgeon will remove the natural lens where the cataract has formed.
However, you don’t need to have cataracts with refractive lens exchange. The natural lens is replaced with an IOL, the same as during cataract surgery. Many patients decide to have a premium intraocular lens implanted during refractive lens exchange to ensure they’ll have their best possible vision.
But the best part?
Because you have an IOL replacing your natural lens before having cataracts, you don’t have to worry about cataracts later in life! That means you can look forward to many years of crystal-clear vision without the frustrations and annoyances of worsening vision due to cataracts.
If you don’t have cataracts, but you’ve started suffering from presbyopia and are tired of the difficulties that come with depending on reading glasses, refractive lens exchange may be perfect for you. Have you ever wanted LASIK and found out you didn’t qualify?
If you don’t have cataracts, but you’ve started suffering from presbyopia and are tired of the difficulties that come with depending on reading glasses, refractive lens exchange may be perfect for you. Have you ever wanted LASIK and found out you didn’t qualify?
You may find out that a procedure like refractive lens exchange, performed at IQ Laser Vision, is a better fit for you instead!
At the IQ Laser Vision center, the doctors and staff treat everyone so kindly and politely. I am confident that Dr. Lin helps keep my eyes healthy and is very pleased with his attentiveness and devotion.
My husband had lasik done here over 10 years ago and his vision is still great, so I decided to complete my journey to better vision here as well. I had a multi focal lens exchange procedure done a few days ago. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating. They really listen and pay attention to your concerns and don’t make you feel silly for asking them. Every single one of my questions were answered in a swift and friendly manner before, during, and after my procedure. I felt safe and comfortable entrusting my eyes to the lovely doctors and surgeons of IQ Laser vision. I noticed differences in my vision the next day, I still have some time to continue my recovery but I’m excited to see how my new vision will turn out. I highly recommend IQ Laser vision!
Want better vision that lasts a lifetime? IOLs or intraocular lenses are the answer.
IOLs are artificial lenses put in your eye to replace the natural lens during refractive lens exchange. IQ Laser Vision offers only the best IOLs to our patients, including:
Multifocal IOLs use added magnification to expand and broaden your range of vision. Increasing your magnification makes things clearer at all distances while reducing your dependence on visual aids like glasses and contact lenses.
The Light Adjustable Lens is the first and only IOL that allows patients to customize their vision after procedures like refractive lens exchange. This is possible because it is made from a unique photosensitive material.
The Light Adjustable Lens gives you a one-of-a-kind vision that’s tailor-fitted for your needs.
If you have astigmatism, your eyes are not perfectly round. You may be best suited to a toric IOL, which is specifically designed for patients with astigmatism.
Not everyone will be a good candidate for refractive lens exchange. You may be a good fit for this vision correction procedure at IQ Laser Vision if:
The only way to know for sure if you’re a candidate for refractive lens exchange is to schedule a consultation at IQ Laser Vision’s Rowland Heights In-Suite Surgery Center and other convenient locations!
After having refractive lens exchange, there’s no reason to stress out about an extended or drawn-out recovery time. On the contrary, the recovery after the procedure is minimal and will allow you to experience your new vision before you know it.
Once the procedure is over, you’ll have a friend or family member drive you home because your vision is likely to be a bit unstable. Your eyes and vision will start healing immediately, so it’s totally understandable if the first thing you want to do when you get home is take a nap.
You may notice that your vision is blurry or fluctuates for a day or two after refractive lens exchange. Experiencing these vision changes is normal and will go away on its own while you get used to and adjust to your new lens.
Many patients start noticing immediate visual improvements right after refractive lens exchange. You may see clearer, crisper, and in better detail, than you were ever able to before the procedure, with your vision continuing to improve in the days and weeks following refractive lens exchange.
Your eye doctor will give you anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops, so you must take these exactly as directed. You’ll also need to return to IQ Laser Vision for a follow-up appointment shortly after your refractive lens exchange procedure.
During this appointment, we will check to ensure your eyes are healing and there are no visible complications or infections. You’ll need to return for another follow-up appointment a week later and a month later to ensure that your eyes are recovering properly. Your ophthalmologist will outline other instructions and answer any questions you may have.
After refractive lens exchange, you can say goodbye to the reading glasses and trying to hold things at an arm’s distance away from you to try to see better. Instead, you can see clearly at all distances and say so long to the worries of cataracts in the future. It’s your vision, so why not see your best now?
Learn more about refractive lens exchange by scheduling an appointment at IQ Laser Vision at our Rowland Heights In-Suite Surgery Center in City of Industry, CA and other convenient locations!
ZEISS SMILE is a single-step procedure performed with a short-pulse, fast-repetition femtosecond laser system. The laser creates a thin layer just beneath the surface of the eye, and at the same time creates a tiny opening on the surface of the eye. The laser works silently, and the patient remains in one place throughout the procedure.
ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure, which means discomfort is usually minimal during the healing period. In most cases, vision stabilizes within one week following the operation.
After ZEISS SMILE surgery, patients are normally able to drive, work, wear makeup and participate in sports and other activities just a few days following treatment.
