Refractive Lens Exchange

Refractive Lens Exchange, also known as Refractive Lens Replacement, Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) or Clear Lens Surgery, is a treatment for patients suffering from presbyopia (long-sightedness normally occurring in middle and old age), hyperopia (farsightedness where objects nearby are not seen as clearly as objects in the distance) or those with a considerably thin cornea.

It is commonly used for patients over 40 who don’t qualify for LASIK eye surgery but are not willing to continue using glasses or use contact lenses. It can can correct myopia (nearsightedness) but it is not normally recommended when LASIK surgery or a Phakic intraocular lens (IOL) can be used.

The procedure involves removing the eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. As well as removing the need to continue wearing glasses or use contact lenses, the new artificial intraocular lens will also mean that the patient will not suffer from cataracts in the future as a cataract cannot form on an artificial lens.

Hopefully this article will untangle some of the terminology and give some clarity on the type of lens replacement surgery that may be suitable for you as well as the costs involved.