Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
The age of 50 is a special age for vision loss. Our natural lens starts to become less pliable and we lose our ability to accommodate and see up close, this condition is called Presbyopia. This is why we need to either take off our glasses to see up close (if you’re nearsighted) or get reading glasses through bifocals or progressive lenses (if you are farsighted).
If you are affected by distance vision and reading, you are in luck. There’s a relatively easy solution to decrease your dependence on glasses and contacts to see clearly. This safe and painless same-day procedure is called RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange).
What is RLE?
RLE stands for “refractive lens exchange”; the eye’s natural lens is replaced with a custom IOL (intraocular lens). It is a procedure very similar to cataract surgery. The main difference is the lens replaced during cataract surgery is a cloudy and hazy lens to correct blur or light scatter as opposed to a clear crystalline lens in RLE.
RLE treats all range of visual errors including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), presbyopia (problems with focusing up close), and astigmatism. Because RLE is nearly identical to cataract surgery, patients after RLE do not need cataract surgery in the future.
What are the benefits of RLE?
• we offer bilateral (both eyes) treatment, reducing recovery time.
• makes you less dependent on glasses and contact lenses
• is particularly advantageous for age-related vision problems such as presbyopia (the need for reading glasses), as there are few other options such as LASIK which cannot correct for presbyopia
• helps you to have a more active lifestyle with freedom from glasses and contacts
• eliminates the need for cataract surgery in later life
• corrects your vision if you are not a candidate for LASIK because of severe refractive errors or thin corneas or severe dry eyes
Am I suitable for RLE?
The patient’s prescription, corneal curvature and thickness, visual expectations, and age are important factors determining eligibility for RLE.
You are an ideal candidate if you:
• are ineligible for LASIK with moderate and severe refractive errors; nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism
• have presbyopia (it worsens between 50 years old and 60 years old) and want to reduce your dependency on reading glasses
• over 50 and not a candidate for LASIK; your glasses prescription higher than the normal range for Laser surgery, or if you have severely dry eyes or if you have thin corneas
• need vision correction and have early cataracts
How is RLE performed?
RLE is an outpatient procedure and generally a painless surgery typically takes about 15-30 minutes per eye. You can return home on the same day as surgery
How long does it take to recover from the RLE procedure?
Patients most likely notice better vision within hours to 48h. It may be a few weeks before the vision reaches its maximum improvement.
What are the results of RLE?
RLE surgery has had years of successful history. Approximately 95 % of patients are satisfied with the outcomes of RLE, and many describe it as life-changing.
In another study, 73% of the patients said the treatment exceeded their expectations.
What are the risks and side effects of the RLE?
Overall, RLE is a safe procedure; the surgery is not different from cataract surgery, which is one of the world’s most common and safest surgeries.
Like any other surgery, RLE is not a risk and complication-free procedure. However, if there any rare issues are either, they are self-limited or easily treated.
Common eye care problems such as glaucoma, the diabetic eye, and maculopathies can be easily monitored and treated as usual by your ophthalmologist or optometrist after RLE.
Is RLE worth the cost?
For many patients, the only choice for vision correction is RLE as they are not candidates for LASIK and ICL.
It is the only reliable way of correcting presbyopia in patients over 50 years old who have troubles in reading. The results last a lifetime and also do not prevent you from having LASIK touch ups.
The cost savings in glasses and contact lenses are recouped in 5-10 years. The freedom and convenience is immeasurable.
Are you wondering if refractive lens exchange may be the right vision correction procedure for you?
Please schedule a free phone consultation from the comforts of your home or free in-person consultation with a specialist in one of our clinics in Surrey or Abbotsford. There will be some in-office testing we have to do prior to any surgery.
RLE surgery at Fraser Valley Cataract and Laser / BC Lasik
At FVCL/BC Lasik, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with:
• Highly experienced Cataract/ RLE and LASIK surgeons
• More than 20 years of experience in vision correction
• Leading-edge technology
• Affordability and Financing