Are you over 45 and interested in better vision or even LASIK eye surgery? Do you have an active lifestyle? Are you experiencing trouble driving at night or reading? If you answer YES, you might be a better candidate for refractive lens exchange and not LASIK?
What happens with near vision changes and dysfunctional lens syndrome after age 40?
As we age, we begin to develop presbyopia. This is an eye condition where the eye loses its ability to focus on up close objects and is typically the first stage of dysfunctional lens syndrome.
Presbyopia happens in nearly everyone and begins in the mid 40’s even with people who have had perfect vision their whole life. All of a sudden, reading menus and hitting golf balls can become challenging.
Permanent Vision Correction For People Over 45 years old.
Advancements in cataract surgery have led to new technology with lens replacement surgery designed to correct refractive error. As a result (RLE) Refractive Lens Exchange is very similar to cataract surgery but has multiple benefits that extend beyond. This is a surgical procedure intended to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts for people over the age of 45, who may be experiencing new visual challenges. Refractive Lens Exchange can be used to correct presbyopia, nearsightedness or farsightedness. Since the process is very similar to cataract surgery you will never develop a cataract if the natural lens is removed during this eye surgery. Of course, you will need to consult directly with our eye surgeons as to whether or not you are a good candidate, but this might be your best option.
For individuals over 40 who are considering refractive surgery to decrease dependence on glasses and contact lenses, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is an excellent option worthy of serious consideration. Like cataract surgery, this procedure involves removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant, a multifocal IOL implant or an extended focus IOL. Please consult directly with our eye surgeons at The Eye Center to arrange for a consultation to determine your potential candidacy.
What are the benefits of Refractive Lens Exchange?
The TOP 10 Lifestyle Benefits of Refractive Lens Exchange.
- No more hassles reading the menu at restaurants
- Ability to play sports without glasses
- Night driving gets easier
- No progressive discoloring of your natural lens
- Focusing at multiple distances is possible
- Distortion via astigmatism is corrected
- No need to worry about losing glasses
- No mask fogging glasses anymore
- You can go swimming and see clearly
- Travel becomes easier
Discover Refractive Lens Exchange and when this makes sense.
There might be a host of reasons that Refractive Lens Exchange makes sense for you. If presbyopia has set in and objects are hard to see up close this is an indication that you may have developed presbyopia and will require reading glasses. If you are currently wearing reading glasses, refractive lens exchange could reduce or eliminate your dependence on readers. If you experience trouble with night driving and this is very bothersome RLE could help. Additionally, if you have thin corneas and have never been able to have LASIK eye surgery then this procedure would make a great deal of sense.
It’s an opportunity to lose the readers…
How does Refractive Lens Exchange work to create better vision?
Your natural crystalline lens is designed to focus light onto the retina (back wallpaper of the eye) to enable clear vision. If light is focused appropriately, any vision of images will be blurred. In the refractive lens exchange eye surgery process we are removing the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens of appropriate power. Your vision will now be focused to create clear vision. Unlike LASIK or other laser vision correction procedures Refractive Lens Exchange does not involve altering or cutting the cornea.
Advanced Technology Lens Implants
Lifestyle items to reflect upon prior to choosing an IOL.
- What are your hobbies?
- Do you play sports?
- Do you read for multiple hours a day?
- Do you work and what is your occupation?
- Do you drive a lot at night?
- Do you use computers frequently?
- What are your favorite outdoor activities?
What are intraocular lenses (IOLs)?
Intraocular lenses, commonly referred to as IOLs, are implantable lenses used to replace the eye’s natural crystalline lens during this RLE process. An IOL will assume the function of the natural lens and will be undetectable.
What are the intraocular lenses (IOLs) for Refractive Lens Exchange?
Astigmatism Correcting Options
Many patient patients have a significant degree of astigmatism. Astigmatism creates distortion in vision and is not corrected by traditional cataract or lens replacement surgery. The unique design of these IOL’s makes it possible to provide quality distance vision and reduce or eliminate astigmatism at the same time.
Presbyopia Correcting Options
Previous lens replacement technologies provided only one improved focal point, distance, leaving people dependent on readers or bifocals. Furthermore, in the past, those who were not yet cataract surgery candidates had no good alternatives to readers, bifocals, or trifocals. Recent advances in lens technology now make it possible to improve vision at all ranges, near through distance, with increased freedom from glasses or contact lenses. Our doctors are proud to offer the most advanced multifocal IOLs to give our patients the best possible vision.
A New Visual Beginning
Advanced Technology lens implants can be very exciting for patients that want to have a new level of spectacle freedom after Refractive Lens Exchange. Due to the complex nature of each person’s visual system, it is difficult for a patient to make an assessment about the right lens, without consulting a medical ophthalmologist. Dr. Pierre Alfred and our eye surgeons atThe Eye Center will make sure you are provided with the best and most advanced options.