Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common type of refractive error where close objects appear clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.

Astigmatism causes your vision to be blurred at both near and far distances. It occurs when your cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball.

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, affects nearly one in four people. Those with hyperopia can see distant objects very well but have difficulty focusing on objects that are close.

People with presbyopia often notice they need more light to read, and have to hold reading material at arm’s length to focus.

If you have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, even extreme prescriptions, and are over 40 years of age experiencing some degree of presbyopia, RLE could be your best course of treatment.

You should consider RLE:

• If you are dependent on reading glasses or bifocals for your near tasks
• If you have a high level of farsightedness
• If you have been diagnosed with early lens changes and feel that the quality of your vision has declined, but, do not as yet have a cataract

Although you will need a ride home from the procedure, you will be able to resume most normal activities within a few days—with most patients able to resume driving as well.

Patients are unable to feel the IOL, and intraocular lens implants have been performed for more than 50 years.