At a Glance: Refractive Lens Exchange is becoming a more popular option for those over 50 seeking to regain their youthful vision! Refractive Lens Exchange is done at our ambulatory surgery center, Eye Laser and Surgery Center, as an outpatient procedure— you go in for your surgery in the morning, and go home a couple of hours later. Our center is in the same building as our office, so no hospitals, and we do it with no shots, and no stitches! One eye is done at a time, separated by a few weeks. Topical anesthesia with light sedation is all that is needed to keep the procedure pain free and comfortable. Best results are obtained after both eyes have been done to allow the eyes to work naturally together. This is the similar surgery as cataract surgery where the eyes natural lens is removed, and an artificial implant lens is put in its place. Choosing to have this surgery now means you won’t need cataract surgery later in life. The choice of which implant is best for you is something our surgeons will discuss with you after we determine the best range of vision for your lifestyle with the least amount of compromises. The best candidates for this procedure are over 50 years old, possibly with early cataracts, with otherwise healthy eyes, and who need glasses for both distance and near vision. For most patients living without their bifocals or reading glasses is something they have dreamt about.

Help for eyes that cannot focus up-close!
Before age 40 our lens is clear and flexible allowing us to focus on things at near. As we reach our mid-forties, everyone begins to experience the problem of our “arms becoming too short”, and near vision begins to fade. This condition is called presbyopia and gets progressively worse as we age. Eventually, we start wearing bifocals or reading glasses, or if you are nearsighted, begin to take our glasses off to read. Some patients will try monovision contacts, where one eye is set for distance, and one eye for near. This can be done with LASIK eye surgery as well, and monovision LASIK and is a good option for some patients, but it is a compromise— neither distance or near is as clear as it would be if both were set for that distance.

A second problem starts as we reach our fifties, about that time our lens starts to become slightly cloudy, and at this point Refractive Lens Exchange may become a better option than LASIK eye surgery. Patients wanting to see both distance and near more like when we were younger will do better with Refractive Lens Exchange. Eventually, this cloudiness within the lens progresses to the point where we don't see as well even with glasses. At this point, we call the cloudiness a Cataract, and if we all live long enough, we will all develop cataracts. Some early “baby cataract’ changes start occurring in our 50’s, but most patients are in their 60’s or 70’s before they have cataract surgery. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, but Refractive Lens Exchange can halt that, and this means you will not need cataract surgery later in life.

How to Decide Which Implant Lens is Right for You?
The best way to determine which Advanced Lifestyle Implant Lensthat is used for Refractive Lens Exchange is to come in for a complete eye exam. Once our surgeons have measured and examined your eyes, we can discuss your lifestyle and near vision needs and determine which Advance Lifestyle or Premium Implant is right for you. CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR LENS OPTIONS

FAQS

How is Refractive Lens Exchange or Lens Replacement Surgery different than LASIK Surgery?
LASIK Surgery can correct your distance vision, but NOT your near vision, unless you choose to have Monovision LASIK. LASIK remodels the surface of the eye, whereas Refractive Lens Exchange replaces the lens on the inside of the eye. LASIK is usually done on both eyes the same day, but with RLE we wait a few weeks in between surgeries.

What do I have to do after my Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery?
You will be using medicated eye drops for several weeks and need to take a couple of days off driving and work. Your distance vision clears quickly whereas adapting to your new found near vision will get better over several weeks.

Does this mean I won’t have to have Cataract Surgery later in life?
That is correct. This is the same surgery as Cataract Surgery but done to decrease your dependence on glasses. Your natural crystalline lens will be replaced with an artificial plastic implant lens and that means you won’t need cataract surgery later.

How much does this cost?
We charge $3900. This includes your surgery center costs, advanced implant lens charge, surgery fees and measurement fees as well as your after care for a year. Insurance does not cover RLE unless you have significantly bad cataracts, not just early cataracts. We offer several financing options with approved credit for Refractive Lens Exchange.

Our best eye surgeons Dr. Brian Stahl and Dr.James Knowles specialize in Refractive Lens Exchange with ReSTOR® , Multifocal Tecnis® and Crystalens® advanced bifocal implants. This can be an excellent solution to help regain the vision you deserve.

Please call Stahl Vision at 937.427.2020 to schedule an appointment to learn more about refractive lens exchange or for a refractive lens exchange evaluation and complete eye examination.