Are you tired of dealing with the constant hassle of glasses and contacts? Do you want to experience crisp, clear vision and reduce your reliance on visual aids? You may be a good candidate for refractive lens exchange.
What is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive lens exchange, or RLE, is a vision correction procedure that involves replacing the natural lens of your eye with an intraocular lens, or IOL. You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of IOLs that offer different vision correction benefits and find one that best suits your lifestyle.
The procedure can correct presbyopia and refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Depending on the IOL you choose, you could enjoy better vision than ever before and achieve complete visual freedom from glasses and contacts.
Another unique benefit of refractive lens exchange is that it can prevent you from developing cataracts in the future. Cataracts are clumps of protein that form on the natural lens of the eye as a result of aging.
They cause frustrating symptoms, including blurry vision, faded vision, and halos and glare around lights. When the natural lens is removed and replaced with an IOL during refractive lens exchange, cataracts cannot form on the new lens.
Who Should Get Refractive Lens Exchange?
Good candidates for refractive lens exchange tend to be over 40 years old and are experiencing vision problems due to presbyopia or common refractive errors. You may also be a good candidate for refractive lens exchange if you have a prescription beyond what other procedures like LASIK or PRK can correct.
Other signs you may be suited for refractive lens exchange include:
- You are outside the age range for LASIK but still want to enjoy the benefits of a vision correction procedure
- You want to prevent cataracts from developing in the future
- You do not have diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, macular degeneration, or a corneal condition
- You have thin corneas and have been told you’re not a good candidate for LASIK
- You are not at risk for retinal detachment
- You want to reduce your dependence on visual aids
- You have realistic expectations about what RLE can do for your vision
Before undergoing refractive lens exchange, you will need to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Sugiki Portis Yim Eye Center so they can assess your candidacy. They may ask you questions about your medical history, visual goals, and daily lifestyle to help determine whether the procedure is right for you.
How to Choose the Right IOL for You
During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to choose your IOL for refractive lens exchange. The premium IOLs offered at Sugiki Portis Yim Eye Center include:
Odyssey IOL
The TECNIS Odyssey IOL is a multifocal IOL that can offer you clear vision across multiple distances. It is designed with unique diffractive technology, allowing patients to enjoy smoother transitions between focusing powers and experience less halos and glare. If you lead a busy, active lifestyle, the Odyssey IOL can keep up with your vision needs and help reduce your dependence on glasses and contacts.
PanOptix Trifocal IOL
The PanOptix IOL is the first and only trifocal IOL, meaning you can enjoy crystal-clear vision across three distinct distances: near, far, and intermediate. Its proprietary ENLIGHTEN technology enables patients to see clearly at all distances without affecting their ability to see at other distances. Patients with active lifestyles make great candidates for the PanOptix IOL, as it allows you to complete activities at all distances and significantly reduces or eliminates your need for visual aids.
Vivity IOL
The Vivity IOL is an extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens, meaning it provides patients with a broader range of vision. Its non-diffractive X-WAVE technology stretches light rather than splitting it, resulting in better images and fewer visual interruptions. The Vivity IOL provides exceptionally good vision at intermediate distances, making it an ideal choice for patients who spend a lot of time working at the computer or doing activities like crafting, gardening, or cooking.
IC-8 Apthera IOL
The IC-8 Apthera IOL is a premium lens that can correct presbyopia and astigmatism. It employs a unique wavefront-filtering design to allow for a wider depth of focus and fewer visual distortions. It also uses a FilterRing to allow light to focus clearly on the back of your eye, bringing you clear vision across multiple distances.
Your eye doctor will review the individual candidacy requirements for each IOL with you and help you decide which lens best suits your lifestyle!
What to Expect During Refractive Lens Exchange
Before beginning the refractive lens exchange procedure, your eye surgeon at Sugiki Portis Yim Eye Center will apply numbing drops to your eye to ensure you won’t feel any pain. Then, they will make a small incision to access the lens capsule of your eye.
They’ll break up your natural lens using a process called phacoemulsification and suction out the pieces before replacing the lens with your new IOL. Once they ensure it is properly positioned, the short 15 to 30-minute procedure is over, and you can have a friend or loved one drive you home to begin recovery.
How Long is Recovery after Refractive Lens Exchange?
While it can take around two months to fully heal from the procedure, many patients are able to resume normal activities after just a few days of recovery. At your follow-up appointments, your eye doctor will assess how your eye is healing and let you know when it’s safe to return to working, driving, and exercising.
You should be sure to follow all of their post-operative care instructions, including applying prescription eye drops according to the schedule they give you. You can expect your vision to gradually improve as you heal, with any temporary side effects like red or watery eyes clearing up quickly.
Then, you can start enjoying all the benefits of your new, clearer eyesight and reduced reliance on glasses and contacts.
Do you want to learn more about refractive lens exchange? Schedule an appointment at Sugiki Portis Yim in Honolulu, HI, today!
