Will Refractive Lens Exchange Prevent Future Cataracts?

Our highly trained opticians at The Eye Center of Southern Indiana are devoted to your optimal ocular health. We also specialize in performing what’s known as refractive lens exchange (RLE) for patients afflicted by the all-too-common refractive disorders plaguing millions.

RLE is the same as cataract surgery but is ideal for patients without cataracts who may not be candidates for other treatment choices. Long-lasting visual clarity can be just a call or message away, so get in touch today to explore your options in Bloomington, IN.

What is refractive lens exchange?

Refractive errors include the ones you’ve undoubtedly heard of, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They rob people of visual clarity at different ranges or cause an overall blurriness or other visual disturbance, making it harder to be one’s usually productive self. And these refractive disorders are surprisingly prevalent, affecting more than 150 million Americans in some form.

The most popular treatments are laser-based vision correction surgeries, including the famous LASIK, which has helped millions see better. Yet not everybody is a good candidate for laser surgical procedures, like LASIK or PRK. For example, patients with a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) may not be good choices for laser-assisted refractive vision surgeries. Additionally, some patients suffer from corneal abnormalities, such as a lack of adequately thick corneal tissue.

Will refractive lens exchange prevent future cataracts?

The RLE procedure is simple, quick, and safe, so have no fears. We begin by applying eye drops to desensitize the ocular tissues and give you a virtually painless experience. Additionally, we can also supply a gentle anesthetic to increase your overall relaxation, if so desired. Once you’re comfortable in our relaxing treatment room, the first step is to make an exceptionally tiny incision on the eye’s outer surface, the cornea.

Through this small incision, we use the latest technology to break down your eye’s natural lens, then suction out the fragments. We then replace the natural lens with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL). Our optical shop provides a full spectrum of IOLs and premium IOLs, and our detail-attentive eye doctors in Bloomington, IN will weigh all relevant factors to help select the best option for your unique needs.

The procedure lasts only about 15 minutes, though we generally schedule each eye a week apart. You may experience slight soreness over the next day or so, and visual haziness over the coming week or several weeks as your eyes recover. Another major advantage is that you won’t have to worry about the dreaded age-related disorder known as cataracts. Cataracts form on the eye’s natural lens, blocking light and obscuring vision. But since your l new IOL is made from advanced synthetic materials, it is immune to the formation of cataracts.

Enjoy improved vision and eye health by contacting us today

The overall result of your RLE? Long-lasting clear vision at all ranges. And with crisper visual acuity, your possibilities are virtually limitless. You’ll be more independent and productive at whatever you do. In addition, you may benefit from an improved ability to focus, less eye strain and associated discomfort or pain, and a newfound joy for life and all the daily tasks you once struggled with due to poor eyesight.

Past patients have raved about their results, and you can count yourself among them by contacting The Eye Center of Southern Indiana in Bloomington, IN today.