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Refractive Lens Exchange

At Kirk Eye Center, our experienced eye doctors are dedicated to helping our patients achieve the clear, natural vision they've always wanted. 

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What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a life-changing vision correction procedure that replaces your eye’s natural lens with a premium intraocular lens (IOL) customized to your specific vision needs. This advanced procedure can offer greater freedom from glasses and contact lenses while providing crystal-clear vision at all distances.

RLE uses the same proven surgical technique as cataract surgery, but is performed to provide you with exceptional vision and freedom from glasses and contacts. The premium artificial lens not only corrects your vision but also eliminates the need for cataract surgery in the future, giving you lasting visual clarity and peace of mind.

What Are the Benefits of RLE?

Refractive lens exchange surgery performed at Kirk Eye Center is an excellent choice for those with significant levels of myopia, hyperopia, or presbyopia who are not eligible for laser refractive procedures. Benefits of RLE include:

Is Refractive Lens Exchange Right for Me?

RLE may be the perfect solution if you’re tired of depending on glasses or contacts and want lasting visual freedom. This procedure is ideal for patients with high prescriptions (severe nearsightedness or farsightedness), presbyopia, or those who aren’t candidates for LASIK due to thin corneas or other factors. 

Whether you’re approaching your 40s and starting to experience reading difficulties, or you’ve lived with strong prescriptions your entire life, RLE can provide the clear, natural vision you deserve. During your consultation at Kirk Eye Center, we’ll evaluate your unique vision needs and determine if RLE is the right choice for your lifestyle and goals.

How is RLE Performed?

Kirk Eye Center performs refractive lens exchange as an outpatient surgery that usually lasts about 15 minutes. However, if you plan to get new lenses for each eye, you should wait at least seven days between procedures. 

On the day of your surgery, we will administer special eye drops to numb the eyes and, in some cases, a soothing anesthetic. Dr. Kirk will create an exceptionally tiny incision in the corneal tissue and use laser or ultrasound technology to delicately disintegrate the patient’s existing lens and remove it. 

Then, he will implant the premium lens in its place using the same small incision, which will heal quickly on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, refractive lens exchange is a safe procedure. However, as with any surgery, there are risks involved. These risks increase if you don’t follow our detailed recovery guidelines or instructions. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with the specialist at Kirk Eye Center before you decide if this is right for your needs.

Yes, refractive lens exchange is a permanent procedure. The premium IOL that replaces your natural lens will last a lifetime and eliminates the possibility of developing cataracts in the future. The artificial lens is designed to provide stable, long-lasting vision correction.

Most patients who have undergone refractive lens exchange no longer need to wear glasses. In some cases, a very mild prescription may be required for reading or near tasks. It depends on your individual prescription and the IOLs chosen at the time of surgery.

Get In Touch

Refractive lens exchange at Kirk Eye Center is an exciting elective surgery that could significantly improve your vision and general outlook on life. For adults who aren’t candidates for LASIK or PRK, RLE can reduce or eliminate the dependence on glasses while preventing future cataract development. 

Contact us to schedule your evaluation.

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