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Refractive lens exchange (RLE) eye surgery is a vision correction procedure that is a great LASIK alternative for many of our patients.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), also called Clear Lens Exchange or Clear Lens Extraction, is a refractive surgery where the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It is performed the same way cataract surgery is, but is an elective procedure designed to correct refractive errors that otherwise may not be corrected through laser vision correction options such as LASIK or PRK.
RLE can be an ideal vision correction solution for people who are over the age of 40 and would like to address a decline in reading vision. Around the age of 40, people experience presbyopia, which is a loss of near vision that is due to a stiffening of the eye’s natural lens. Procedures like LASIK address the shape of the eye, but cannot correct presbyopia. RLE corrects the lens in the eye so it can provide long term vision improvement and reduce or eliminate dependence on reading glasses.
With vision correction through refractive lens exchange, our patients enjoy a host of benefits, including:
During refractive lens exchange, the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL) to improve the way light is focused and correct refractive errors. Depending on the intraocular lens used to replace your natural lens, your vision may be corrected for distance vision, intermediate vision, near vision or a range of vision at all distances.
At Fraser Eye Care, we offer a number of premium IOL options, including:
The first step in preparing for refractive lens exchange surgery is to attend a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists. During this visit, you will undergo a thorough eye examination and discuss which vision correction options will best meet your needs.
Once your procedure is scheduled, you will be given specific instructions about preparation and recovery from RLE. You might be asked to use special eye drops in the days before your RLE procedure. Patients are not permitted to drive immediately after refractive lens exchange, so you will need to make arrangements for transportation.
Refractive lens exchange is a quick outpatient procedure that takes only 10-15 minutes to perform. You should expect to be at our vision center for a few hours on the day of your procedure.
Before RLE, your eye doctor will numb your eye anesthetic drops and use a device to hold your eye open so you don’t need to worry about blinking. To begin the surgical procedure, your eye surgeon will make a tiny incision in the cornea and break up the natural lens of the eye so that it can be removed. Then the artificial intraocular lens is placed.
The corneal incision for RLE is so tiny that no sutures are needed: the eye will naturally heal itself. When the procedure is complete, you will be fitted with a protective shield over your eye and recover here briefly before being released to go home.1
After refractive lens exchange, you will probably want to rest for a few hours. Please do not touch or rub your eye, and be sure to wear the protective shield over your eye when you sleep for the first day.
Your eye doctor will send you home with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use after refractive lens exchange. Patients may experience itching or mild discomfort during the first few days following RLE surgery. This can be managed with over-the-counter medication. You may also experience blurry or distorted vision, but this will quickly resolve as your eye heals.
You should be able to drive the day after refractive lens exchange surgery, and can resume most of your normal activities after 48 hours. Please avoid swimming and high-impact activities for one week.
Following RLE, patients quickly notice a pronounced improvement in their vision. The full results of your refractive lens exchange procedure should be realized within a couple of weeks. Most patients greatly reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses after RLE, and some can eliminate corrective eyewear completely.
$1,882/eye
$1,882/eye
$1,882/eye
Varies, depending on lens implant
Quick (24-48 hrs)
2-4 Weeks
1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks
10 Minutes
10 Minutes
20-30 Minutes
15-20 Minutes
Yes, up to -12D
Yes, up to -12D
Yes, up to -20D
Yes, up to -26D
Yes, up to +5D
Yes, up to +5D
Yes, up to +10D
Yes, with Monovision
Yes, with Monovision
Yes, with multifocal IOLs
Yes, during recovery
A little, during recovery
Patients who are not good candidates for LASIK can often still achieve vision correction through refractive lens exchange. Good candidates:
Since RLE performed in the same way as cataract surgery, complications are similar to those undergoing cataract surgery including:
If you are ready to reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts, you may be able to achieve significantly improved vision through refractive lens exchange. To schedule a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist, please contact Fraser Eye Care.
1 American Refractive Surgery Council. Cataract Surgery with Vision Correcting IOLs. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/refractive-surgery-procedures/cataract-surgery-with-vision-correcting-iols. Accessed February 8, 2022.
The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
