Refractive Lens Exchange

As the eye’s natural crystalline lens loses its ability to clearly focus what we see, vision problems—such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia—develop, often requiring corrective lenses for vision improvement. At Aloha Laser Vision, our ophthalmologists offer many state-of-the-art procedures that can reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses. In addition to LASIK and PRK, our eye surgeons—Alan R. Faulkner, MD and Neda Nikpoor, MD—perform a vision correction procedure called refractive lens exchange (RLE), which can deliver high-quality vision at fixed or multiple distances, prevent the need for future cataract surgery, and make you less reliant on glasses/contacts to see.

Would you like to find out if RLE or another vision correction procedure is right for you? We welcome you to explore the informative sections we’ve provided below, or contact our practice today to schedule an appointment.

• What is Refractive Lens Exchange?
• Refractive Lens Exchange Benefits
• Refractive Lens Exchange Procedure
• Refractive Lens Exchange Recovery
• Refractive Lens Exchange Cost

What is Refractive Lens Exchange?

Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is surgical procedure that replaces your eye’s natural lens with an artificial one—called an intraocular lens (IOL)— to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism for reduced dependence on glasses and/or contact lenses. RLE can be an excellent alternative for patients who are not appropriate candidates for LASIK or PRK vision correction.

What Are the Benefits of RLE?

There are several advantages to the refractive lens exchange procedure, including:

• Quick visual recovery
• Permanent results without the use of a laser
• No need for cataract surgery in the future
• Reduced dependence on glasses and contact lenses

Though artificial lenses have been traditionally used in cataract surgery, the advancements of this newer technology can now improve a patient’s vision at all distances (multifocal IOLs). The intraocular lenses we offer include:

• AcrySof^® ReSTOR^® – Focuses near and distance vision
• TECNIS^® Multifocal – Corrects presbyopia and focuses near, intermediate, and distance vision
• TECNIS^® Symfony – Offers an even wider range of high-quality near, intermediate, and distance vision

How Is Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery Performed?

Refractive lens exchange surgery is performed on both eyes the same day. The eyes are treated one eye at a time and each procedure takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Before surgery begins, you will be given an intravenous (IV) sedative to relax you while anesthetic drops are applied to desensitize the eye. To begin, the LensX Laser is applied to the base of the cornea. Once treatment with the LensX Laser is finished, the natural lens is removed and the new IOL can be placed to complete the procedure. The process is then repeated on the other eye.

What Is Recovery After Refractive Lens Exchange Like?

Following RLE, most patients are working and/or driving the very next day. Attending all scheduled follow-up appointments is important, and any prescribed eye drops should be applied as instructed. You may notice some mild irritation and/or the presence of blurriness, halos, or glare as your eye initially heals and adjusts to the IOL—this is normal and your eye surgeon will keep a close watch on your progress to ensure your recovery is going smoothly. If you have any concerns or questions, we insist that you contact our practice as soon as possible. While many patients notice improvements in their vision soon after their surgery, it may take a few weeks before you experience the full results of RLE.

How Much Does Refractive Lens Exchange Cost?

To find out how much your RLE procedure may cost, you will need to visit our practice for a personal evaluation. The overall price of your procedure will depend mainly on the technology used to complete the surgery and the type of IOL you decide on with your doctor. When you choose Aloha Laser Vision for your RLE surgery, you can rest assured that you have selected a state-of-the-art facility run by a highly trained team and equipped with the latest vision correction technology.

To help make paying for treatment more affordable and convenient for qualified applicants, we offer several different monthly payment plans with no-interest, as well as accept payment with Alphaeon™ Credit. If you are interested in learning more about pricing and eye care financing, a knowledgeable member of our team will be happy to discuss these details with you.

Contact Aloha Laser Vision

Aloha Laser Vision is dedicated to meeting the vision needs of our patients by providing safe, high-quality eye surgery procedures. We are proud to serve patients from Honolulu, Hawaii and beyond, and look forward to helping you attain optimal vision. Please contact Aloha Laser Vision today to learn more about how we can help.

*Individual Results May Vary