Refractive Lens Exchange

Sometimes, patients aren’t eligible for common procedures like LASIK or PRK to correct their vision. But there’s another option for these patients – refractive lens exchange (RLE). At the Witchita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS, Dr. Patel can evaluate your condition and determine if you’re a candidate for this surgery.

What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?

RLE is a relatively quick procedure that replaces the natural lens in your eye with an intraocular lens (IOL). This lens is synthetic and replaces your natural focusing power. The synthetic lens also fits within and is kept in place by the same membrane that held your natural lens.

An artificial lens is made of a material – such as acrylic – that will not react with your body’s chemistry. It can bend light just as the human lens does, which allows the retina – at the back of the eye – to function as normal. That is, the retina can still communicate with the brain to give you visual recognition. Thanks to this capability, an artificial lens can be used to correct farsighted and nearsighted conditions.

Similar to Cataract Surgery

If this procedure sounds familiar, it likely is. It works in the same basic way as cataract surgery. The difference is that RLE removes a human lens that is clear, while that removed during cataract surgery is cloudy.

How It Works

Dr. Patel performs RLE as an outpatient procedure, and it normally takes around 15 minutes. She will do each eye individually, with about a week between surgeries to give the first eye a chance to heal. It is at this week milestone that you can usually return to daily activities.

During RLE, Dr. Patel uses numbing drops to minimize discomfort. You will likely notice an immediate improvement in your eyesight. However, some visual disturbances – including glare or blurriness – are normal as you continue to heal. Final improvement outcomes can be expected within several weeks.

What To Expect

Dr. Patel will provide you with individual instructions after your surgery concerning driving, returning to work, and resuming other tasks. Just as you don’t feel cavity fillings in your mouth, you won’t notice the IOL in your eye. Others won’t know it’s there either, because it sits inside the eye rather than on the surface.

The IOL is designed to permanently replace your lens. This means it will be with you for the remainder of your life. Your vision will also be permanently improved.

Benefits of this procedure include:

Rapid recovery
Minimal risk for complications
No need for future cataract surgery

Who Is This Right For?

Patients with severe nearsighted and farsighted conditions (without cataracts) can greatly benefit from RLE. It’s a viable option for people with thin corneas as well. To qualify, patients need to be at least 21 years old and have steady sight for six months prior to the procedure. It is also important that you be free of eye disease.

RLE and You

If you’ve been looking for a way to correct your vision, RLE may be the answer. This safe, effective surgery provides quick recovery and permanent results. Contact us today to learn more and book a consultation.