WHAT IS RLE?
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is an elective outpatient procedure that is ideal for candidates who are usually between the ages of 40 and 60 and want to get rid of their bifocals and reading glasses. In an RLE surgery, our Frantz EyeCare surgical specialist will remove the eye’s natural lens and replace the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) that has a customized prescription to correct the patient’s vision.
RLE is an alternative to laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK, Klex/SMILE, and PRK which change the shape of the cornea in order to correct vision. Because “LASIK” is the term that patients know best, it is often the procedure that they ask for in pursuit of independence from glasses and contacts.
While laser vision correction can be a great solution for individuals in their 40’s, it only addresses the cornea’s shape and not the lens inside the eye. The eye’s natural lens can weaken over time, become harder due to the accumulation of proteins within the lens, and eventually, vision can become cloudy and blurry due to cataracts.
A Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) procedure can provide better vision to patients who are:
- Nearsighted
- Farsighted
- In need of Astigmatism correction
- Over 40
And have no history of eye disease or complications that would prove to increase risks such as retinal detachment, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration.
WHAT ARE MY RLE OPTIONS?
Frantz EyeCare offers the most advanced lens technology in the industry and provides patients with customized solutions designed specifically to meet the needs of their individual eyes. Some of the intraocular lens options for refractive lens exchange include:
- LAL (Light Adjustable Lens™) – The power of this lens can be adjusted after surgery non-invasively in order to customize the lens to fit the prescription needs of the patient. This is particularly beneficial for patients who have monovision or have previously had refractive surgery.
- PanOptix® – This lens can give patients clear vision at near, far, and intermediate distances and was the first trifocal lens implant used in the United States.
- Vivity® – This lens provides patients with an extended depth of focus and is a great option for individuals who need a solution for dependable night driving.
- Monofocal (Basic or Toric) – A lens that offers clear vision to patients at a single point of focus (usually distance). The toric monofocal lens provides astigmatism correction.
- Monovision – The vision of the dominant eye is corrected for distance while the other eye is corrected for near and intermediate distances.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS & BENEFITS OF RLE?
The key benefit of RLE is that this procedure can correct all types of refractive errors. Post-operatively, patients either experience freedom from glasses and contacts, or much less reliance on glasses – depending on the type of lens that they choose. Most patients experience vision improvement within 24 hours of their procedure.
An additional benefit is that once a patient has had refractive lens exchange, they will not develop cataracts later in life. Cataracts cannot form once the natural lens of the eye is removed.
As with any surgical procedure, there is a minimal amount of risk involved – but it is no riskier than cataract surgery. While 95% of RLE patients experience glasses-free driving vision or better, it is important to remember that individual eye health plays a role in every procedure. Compliance with post-operative care is important, and our surgeon will discuss any concerns with the patient in order to ensure that every individual feels confident in the care that is being provided.
RLE IS ON THE RISE!
Refractive Lens Exchange has become more popular as frustration with readers and bifocals has continued to grow over the years. Increasingly, patients are seeking lifestyle solutions that reduce their dependence on glasses and contacts. Because cataracts can begin to develop in a patient’s 40’s and 50’s, RLE is a great option for cataract prevention in addition to providing clear vision at multiple distances
Find out if you might be a candidate for RLE by scheduling a consultation with the Frantz EyeCare Team.
