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Refractive Lens Exchange
Mobile – OE V2
Tablet – OE V2
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.
Refractive Lens Exchange Costs
You can find our guide to typical lens replacement surgery costs here.
Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery Procedure & Recovery
Lens replacement surgery lasts for approximately 15 minutes and is carried out independently for each eye, with a wait of almost a week between the two eyes. During lens replacement, numbing aesthetic drops are applied so no discomfort is experienced in the eyes. Most people will report immediate visual improvement a few days after surgery.
The procedure you undergo will depend on whether you’re having PIOL or RLE surgery. With PIOL, the natural lens isn’t removed and it’s almost like a permanent contact lens is built into your eye. However, because this lens is located inside your eye, it isn’t as restrictive as a contact lens.
Alternatively, RLE often follows much the same procedure as cataract surgery. This means the natural lens of the eye is removed before a replacement lens (a multifocal or monofocal one) is put in its place. The natural lens is often removed using phacoemulsification, which liquefies the lens so it’s easy to extract.
On the path to full recovery patients may experience a few episodes of discomfort such as blurred vision, halos and glare. Most patients can go back to work within a week of the surgery, although you may need to wait 2 weeks before driving again – your surgeon will guide you on this.
You will not be able to see an artificial lens on your eye as it is placed inside your eye, unlike a contact lens. The lenses are meant to last a lifetime as there is a negligible risk of regression (deteriorating of corrective vision) due to factors related to ageing. If problems do arise, the lens can be replaced easily without any permanent damage being done.
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