Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Refractive Lens Exchange is an elective surgical vision correction procedure for patients who no longer want to wear their glasses or contact lenses or wish to become less dependent on them. Your eye's natural lens will be replaced with a superior intraocular lens (IOL) to correct refractive errors and improve your vision. As a result, you may not need to wear glasses at all, or you may need them only for certain tasks. There is a variety of intraocular lenses to choose from based on your candidacy and these options will be discussed during your consultation.

Why would I choose RLE over cataract surgery

RLE is an elective surgery for patients who no longer wish to wear glasses and contacts. Cataract surgery is a medical procedure for people with advanced cataracts (clouding of the human lens) that are affecting their ability to see clearly even with glasses or contact lenses.

With RLE surgery there are advanced IOL options to correct your vision at all distances – near, intermediate, and far. While many IOLs can provide a full range of vision, sometimes glasses are required for small tasks like reading fine print on a pill bottle or newspaper.

After RLE you will never develop a cataract later in life.

Will RLE fix astigmatism

For patients with astigmatism, toric IOLs are the only IOL specifically designed to treat astigmatism.

Who is a good candidate for RLE

  • If you have a loss of reading vision due to Presbyopia.
  • If you are over the age of 40 and are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism and have a desire to be glasses-free.
  • Ultimately, your candidacy to undergo RLE will be determined during your consultation with your surgeon and after a series of diagnostic tests is completed.

Fees associated for RLE

We will be better equipped to provide you with more accurate pricing after consultation with your surgeon because fees vary by procedure. Regardless of the surgery needed or lens chosen, our goal is to provide you with the safest, most appropriate procedure and best outcome.