REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE (RLE)

 
Refractive lens exchange surgery involves carefully removing the natural lens in the eye through a small incision and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens implant.

This artificial lens implant is able to correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia (difficulty focusing up close) which reduces, or possibly eliminates, the need to wear glasses or contacts.

Presbyopia is a natural aging process of your eye where the lens becomes stiff and has a more difficult time focusing on objects up close. This typically starts around the age of 40-45 as patients notice they are having more difficulty reading and performing near tasks such as use of their cell phone. During refractive lens exchange, this stiff lens is replaced with an advanced technology trifocal or extended depth of focus artificial lens, which restores the eye’s ability to see across a range of vision. An additional benefit of RLE surgery is that removing the natural lens in the eye eliminates the need for cataract surgery later in life.