Refractive Lens Exchange is a surgical procedure that uses the same successful techniques of modern cataract surgery. These surgical techniques have evolved and improved dramatically over the last 20 years. Cataract surgery is now the most common surgical procedure performed in medicine today.
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Cataract surgery is now the most common surgical procedure performed in medicine today. |
The main difference between standard cataract surgery and Refractive Lens Exchange is that cataract surgery is primarily performed to remove a patient's cataract that is obstructing and clouding their vision, while Refractive Lens Exchange is performed to minimize a person's dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
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Cataracts are a part of the normal aging process and if a person lives long enough chances are they will develop cataracts.People who have Refractive Lens Exchange now will not have cataract surgery in the future.
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Refractive Lens Exchange corrects vision by replacing the eye's natural lens, which has the wrong focusing power, with either an artificial monofocal or multifocal intra-ocular lens implant that has the correct focusing power for the eye. Having a multifocal lens implant creates a new "visual system" inside the eye, one that can provide the focusing power to see near, intermediate and far images with minimal dependence on corrective lenses. Monofocal lenses on the other hand, provide clear vision at only one point of focus.
Here are two eye charts to help illustrate the range of focus between monofocal lenses and multifocal lenses.The image on the far left is what a person would see at about 16 inches. On the far right is what they would see at about 12 feet.
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Two eye charts to help illustrate the range of focus between monofocal lenses and multifocal lenses |
As you can see, looking through the monofocal lens, the near is blurry but as you get farther away, it becomes clear. While looking through the multifocal lens, the close, intermediate and far images are clear.
The Refractive Lens Exchange procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Only one eye will be treated at a time.After your eye is completely numbed with topical or local anesthesia, your eye's natural lens will be gently vacuumed out through a tiny incision, about one eighth of an inch wide.
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Your eye will be completely numbed before the procedure. |
Next, the artificial lens will be folded and inserted through the same micro-incision. It will then be unfolded and placed into the "capsular bag" that originally surrounded the natural lens. This incision is "self-sealing" and usually requires no stitches. It remains tightly closed by the natural outward pressure within the eye. This type of incision heals fast and provides a much more comfortable recuperation.
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Next, the multifocal lens will be folded and inserted through the same micro-incision. |
If your eye has pre-existing astigmatism, your surgeon may elect to make micro-incisions in the cornea to reduce your astigmatism. These are called LRIs or limbal relaxing incisions.
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Your surgeon may elect to make micro-incisions in the cornea to reduce your astigmatism. |
You will go home soon after the surgery and relax for the rest of the day. Everyone heals somewhat differently but many patients report improvement in their vision almost immediately after the procedure. Most patients return to their normal activities within a day or two.
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You will go home soon after the surgery and relax for the rest of the day. |
It is extremely important to understand that with monofocal and multifocal implants you are getting a new "visual system." You've spent years learning how to use your visual system. It will naturally take time for your brain to adjust to a new visual system.
Following Refractive Lens Exchange, something patients notice right away is halos around objects. On the bottom center is an illustration drawn by a Refractive Lens Exchange patient representing the appearance of objects immediately after surgery. At the top right, is an illustration representing the appearance of the same objects after the visual cortex of her brain had begun to learn how to process the images. Notice that even the trees and buildings initially have a glow around them but over time the trees and buildings lose their glow and the halos around the car and street lights become less and less noticeable.
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Following PRELEX, something patients notice right away is halos around objects. (Roll your mouse over the image to change it) |
The goal of Refractive Lens Exchange surgery is to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.However you may not achieve the results you desire and your doctor cannot guarantee your results even if you are considered an ideal candidate.
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Refractive Lens Exchange may use a multifocal lens. This lens has been approved by the FDA for cataract surgery. The FDA has not reviewed this lens for indications other than cataract surgery. Therefore, using a multifocal lens is considered an "off-label" use of an approved medical device if you are younger than 60 and have not been diagnosed with a cataract. Doctors can use approved medical devices when they feel its use is in the best interest of their patients.
Refractive Lens Exchange is not the only surgical procedure designed to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. To learn about other procedures go to the surgical and laser vision correction procedures section of our Web Site. If you would like to learn more about vision correction procedures from sources other than our practice, we encourage you to link to a number of Web sites we feel provide factual and up-to-date information. You may also choose to make an appointment or request additional information to learn more about this exciting procedure.
We offer a number of finance options and affordable payment plans. It is easy to apply online and receive credit approval before you schedule an appointment.