Refractive Lens Exchange

RLE, also known as Premium Lens Replacement or PRELEX is a surgical technique that is becoming increasingly popular for patients who don't want to wear glasses but aren't good candidates for LASIK eye surgery. By removing the natural lens and placing a presbyopia-correcting lens implant, patients are able to achieve glasses free vision without waiting for a cataract to develop.

Who is a candidate for RLE?

This surgery is a great solution for patients aged 40-60. These patients are in a difficult position because many of them become dependent on reading glasses for the first time in their life. They are too young to have cataracts, but they've aged out of the ideal range for LASIK surgery. 

What are the benefits of RLE?

Around age 40, the natural lens loses its ability to focus and adapt for up close vision. This change, called Presbyopia, is the first step on the journey towards developing a cataract, but it can take another two decades or longer for the eye to be "ready" for cataract surgery. Premium Lens Replacement allows these patients to take control of their vision again. 

By removing the aging natural lens and replacing it with a presbyopia-correcting lens implant (IOL), patients are able to achieve range of vision without glasses. These patients will never develop cataracts, and their lens implants will last the rest of their life, providing several decades of clear vision without glasses. 

Is RLE safe?

The increasingly popularity of this choice is only possible because of advances in technology and surgical technique, which provide a safe a reliable result with low risk of complication. Many patients who have undergone lens replacement comment on what a life-changing experience it is to be free from glasses, often for the first time in their lives!

If you are tired of wearing glasses, call our Kyle, TX office or book an appointment online to find out if Refractive Lens Exchange is right for you.