REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE (RLE)
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REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE (RLE)
Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also known as lens replacement surgery or clear lens extraction, is a procedure that replaces your natural eye lens with an artificial intraocular lens for the correction of refractive errors. It is done to decrease the need for bifocals and reading glasses and, often, in pre-cataract patients. This surgery is somewhat similar to cataract surgery; the only difference is that the lens replaced is clear, while in cataract, the lens is cloudy. The lens to be used is decided by your eye surgeon, depending on your need.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)?
Conditions Treated
RLE is gaining popularity in recent years over other procedures such as LASIK, PRK, and phakic IOL. The ideal candidates for RLE are people who have:
- Hyperopia
- Presbyopia
- Astigmatism
- Myopia
Prerequisites for the Procedure
The prerequisites for RLE are similar to those for any other surgery. The consultation starts with a detailed history of the eyesight and related problems. After that, the doctor performs a thorough examination and orders some tests. Some of these tests are general, which are to rule out any health concerns before labeling you fit for the surgery; while the specific tests are carried out to measure the lens, and the amount of astigmatism that is to be corrected, in order to choose a procedure that suits you the best. Once all these procedures are complete, you will be given a date for your surgery and a set of instructions that you will have to follow to prepare for it.
The Procedure
On the day of surgery, you are requested to be at the hospital two to three hours earlier. It is to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken before commencing the procedure. RLE itself is a minor surgical procedure, hardly taking ten to fifteen minutes for each eye. It is carried out under local anesthesia. Your surgeon starts the operation by applying a topical anesthetic that numbs the eye completely. After that, a small incision is given to approach the intraocular cavity. The surgeon then carefully removes the lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens. The incision is sutured, and the surgery is complete. RLE is performed separately on each eye with a gap of a minimum of one week.
After Procedure Care and Advice
After the procedure, rest is advised for a prompt recovery. Your doctor may call you again to run some tests to assess the post-operative results. Usually, the recovery period after RLE is short, and you can resume your daily activities within a couple of days.
If you are experiencing eye problems that affect your vision, LASIK laser eye surgery could be the answer. Talk to one of our surgeons to discover whether or not laser eye surgery is best for you. We are one of the best providers of laser eye treatments in Waxahachie, Texas. Call our laser eye care center at 469-505-2020.
At Texas Eye and Cataract, we know how important it is to see life with clear vision. We understand that being your best means seeing your best.