Refractive Lens Exchange Toronto | Brampton

What is Refractive Lens Exchange?

Clear vision after 40: Reduce your need for reading and computer glasses with Refractive Lens Exchange.

Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also called clear lens extraction, replaces the natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) in patients wishing to correct various refractive errors – this includes high farsightedness, high nearsightedness, or presbyopia, without undergoing a corneal modification procedure such as LASIK. RLE is also a suitable procedure for someone who is considering LASIK but is over the age of 40 as it is able to correct a range of focus including distance and near. Most patients lose their ability to focus at near in their 40’s (presbyopia) and must wear progressive or bifocal glasses or separate reading glasses. Those patients therefore benefit more from RLE with a presbyopia correcting lens implant which can reduce their need for reading glasses than they would from LASIK which can only correct for distance vision

The refractive lens exchange procedure is similar to cataract surgery; the only difference is that refractive lens exchange is performed to achieve refractive correction rather than to remove a cloudy lens (cataract). Refractive lens exchange involves a rapid recovery and offers patients dramatic improvement in vision quality.

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What to Expect

Typically, the lens replacement surgery takes about 15 minutes, often with both eyes done at the same sitting. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis with drops used to freeze the eye so you won’t experience pain or discomfort. Because the IOL is inside of the eye, rather than on the surface like a contact lens, it’s virtually invisible to others and you will not feel it inside your eye.

After surgery, vision is blurry for a few days but patients recover quickly and are back to normal activities within 1 week. They enjoy clearer vision and greater focusing power with minimal dependence on glasses which lasts for life, This procedure also means the patient will not need cataract surgery in the future. The initial recovery period is about one week, after which you can resume normal activities. It is common to have dry or irritated eyes initially after surgery and this can take a few months to settle but artificial tears help.

Prism offers a wide range of IOLs and we will help to customize a solution that meets your needs.

You May be a Candidate for Clear Lens Extraction if You:

Want to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts
Are over 40 years old*
Have high myopia (nearsightedness), high hyperopia (farsightedness), or presbyopia, with or without cataracts
Have early signs and symptoms of cataracts

*Presbyopia is a naturally-occurring condition that happens to just about everyone after the age of 40. As we age, the eye’s natural lens becomes harder and thus more inflexible, causing us to lose the ability to focus close up. Presbyopia-induced loss of near vision cannot be corrected with refractive surgery such as LASIK – more commonly, patients will choose RLE with a multifocal lens to diminish their need for glasses. For those over the age of 40 with active lifestyles wishing to free themselves of the burden of glasses – this procedure is for you!

“The distance vision is spectacular I can’t even remember wearing glasses. I hardly ever wear reading glasses. The halos which were never really that bothersome just somehow went away. This is the greatest thing I’ve ever done I would pay $20,000 to do this! I feel so lucky.”
Heidi, RLE patient with Symfony EDOF lens

How Do I Get Started

You will be scheduled for testing prior to seeing the doctor. This testing helps your doctor to plan your treatment and counsel you on the various surgical treatment options so that you can choose the best fit for your eye and your needs. Refractive lens exchange surgery is an elective procedure, the advanced testing and measurements required are not covered by OHIP. Prism will provide you with information about their purpose, an itemized invoice and a consent explaining their optional nature.

After checking in at the front desk, you will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. After this, a technician will take a medical history and perform some preliminary tests that could include visual acuity, intraocular pressure and they will often instill dilating drops (these can blur vision for several hours and it is helpful to bring a driver). Your ophthalmologist and their team of associates will examine your eyes and discuss the lens options that are right for you. After they have answered your questions about the surgery, you will then move to the surgery department where one of our surgical coordinators will review the logistics including the time and place, instructions for before and after surgery, and the drops you will need. They will also review the cataract consent documents.

Your surgery will be scheduled at TLC Oakville. You will also be scheduled for follow up visits at Prism after the surgery.