U Education

How the RLE process works

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a revolutionary vision correction procedure that can provide you with clear vision. It is often recommended to people over the age of 40 who have been diagnosed with presbyopia, a condition in which the eye’s natural lens loses its ability to focus on near objects. Unlike LASIK and PRK, RLE does not involve removing tissue from the surface of the eye; instead, it involves replacing the natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

The procedure itself typically takes less than 30 minutes and involves minimal discomfort. During surgery, your ophthalmologist will make a small incision at the edge of your cornea before carefully removing your natural lens. Your new IOL is then inserted into the same incision and will be used to correct your vision. The entire procedure is usually done in one eye at a time, with the other eye being treated several weeks later.

The are many benefits to Refractive Lens Exchange. It can provide you with clear and crisp vision for both far away and near objects. It also has a very low rate of complications; in most cases your provider will need to monitor your progress for a few days after surgery, but there is no need for ongoing follow up visits or medication. This procedure tends to be more cost effective than traditional refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK.

Who is a good candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?

If you’re over 40 and have been diagnosed with presbyopia, RLE may be an excellent option for you. Speak to your eye care team today to find out if it’s the right choice for you. With RLE, you can achieve clear vision without having to worry about ongoing maintenance or follow up appointments.  

The main criteria for being a good candidate for RLE are: needing a significant change in prescription strength; having relatively healthy eyes; and being at least 40 years of age. People with higher levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism tend to do better with RLE than those with lower prescriptions. It is important that a patient’s eyes are healthy enough to withstand the surgery and that there are no serious eye diseases or conditions present. Since IOLs become less flexible over time, it is generally recommended that candidates for RLE be at least 40 years old so that their lenses can provide quality vision correction for many years.

RLE may not be the best option for everyone and should only be considered after discussing all available vision correction options with an eye care professional. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to proceed with RLE will depend on each individual's unique circumstances and lifestyle needs. For people who meet all criteria and decide to move forward, RLE can be a highly successful procedure that allows them to enjoy clear and comfortable vision for many years.

The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for RLE is to consult with an eye care specialist at UELC who specializes in refractive surgery. Our specialists can provide more personalized advice and information about the risks and benefits of RLE, as well as other available vision correction options. With their help and guidance, you can make an informed decision regarding which procedure is best suited for your lifestyle needs.

UELC offers affordable refractive lens exchange services to help patients reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses. The procedure involves replacing the eye’s natural lenses with intraocular (IOL) implants that correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. UELC's expert surgeons are highly experienced in performing the surgery and use innovative technology to ensure safety and accuracy throughout the process.

The benefits of refractive lens exchange go beyond improved vision to include protection from cataracts and glaucoma, increased comfort through reduced dependency on glasses and contacts, enhanced quality of life through better night vision, and stabilized vision over time. UELC's affordable services and experienced team make the refractive lens exchange procedure an achievable reality for many patients.

UELC offers comprehensive consultations to assess each patient’s vision needs, as well as a full range of diagnostic testing and preoperative assessments to determine candidacy for the procedure. You can rest assured knowing that you are in good hands with UELC’s expert surgeons. We have extensive experience performing successful refractive lens exchanges that result in improved vision and quality of life for our patients.

With UELC’s exceptional refractive lens exchange services, more people than ever before can take advantage of this life-changing procedure. If you’re looking to improve your vision while avoiding glasses or contact, consider taking the next step and scheduling a consultation with UELC to learn more about refractive lens exchange.