How Successful Is RLE? Refractive Lens Exchange Success Rate
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Wearing contact lenses or glasses can be a real hassle–not to mention expensive. The good news is that you have options for improving your blurry vision. Whether you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or have cataracts or astigmatism, refractive lens exchange might just be the vision correction treatment you need.
Before you undergo this surgical procedure, it’s fair to wonder what sorts of results you can expect. Below you can read more about the success of refractive lens exchange from the ophthalmologist team here at Gelman Vision.
How Does Lens Replacement Surgery Work?
efore we can explain why refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery, or clear lens exchange (CLE), is so effective, we must first explain how it works. This surgery is used to correct refractive errors and cataracts by replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).Â
Before surgery, your surgeon may administer anesthetic eye drops and a mild sedative, depending on your needs. During the surgery, your eye surgeon will create an incision through which the natural lens can be removed and the new artificial lens can be put into place. The incision is small enough that it’s able to heal without stitches. Following surgery, the lens implant works as a kind of built-in contact lens. You can expect to come in for a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress. Most patients will fully heal within a few weeks to several months.
Lens options include monofocal lenses, multifocal IOLs, and more, with each being specially designed to meet the unique needs of each patient.
Refractive Lens Exchange Results
So, just what sorts of effects might you see after your lens replacement surgery? The numbers are good. A study was conducted on the effectiveness of RLE on patients of various ages. According to the study, 92% of patients between 45 and 49 years of age achieved 20/20 vision or better, with 94% of 50- to 54-year-olds, 92% of 55- to 59-year-olds, and 89% of 60- to 65-year-olds also achieving those same results.Â
There is significant evidence of just how effective this procedure can be. When it comes to refractive lens exchange, age isn’t usually a hurdle, unlike with laser vision correction or LASIK.
Is Refractive Lens Exchange Permanent?
Another common question about the success of refractive surgery is whether or not the effects of the treatment are permanent. This is why we needed to explain the process: because your eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens, the effects of the surgery are permanent, with these intraocular lens implants made to last a lifetime. That means you probably won’t have to worry about future cataract surgery.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery
Another thing to consider when asking about the success of RLE is the potential likelihood or rarity of side effects. It’s worth noting that most successful eye surgeries will indeed come with just a few minor side effects. While the side effects of RLE are usually minor–things like blurred vision and itchiness–there is a rare possibility of developing a more serious condition known as retinal detachment. Retinal detachment occurs when the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye moves out of place.Â
The good news is that the vast majority of people will not develop this sort of complication after RLE, and there are certain groups of people who may be more susceptible and can be warned before choosing treatment. If you fall into any of the risk groups for retinal detachment after RLE, your surgeon will let you know to help you make an informed decision. Risk factors include advanced age and severe vision problems.
Alternatives to Eye Lens Replacement Surgery
While lens replacement surgery can be a powerful option for improved vision, relying on advanced lens technology and precision care, it may not be the right treatment for everyone. Below, you can learn about some alternatives:
Laser Eye Surgery
Depending on your vision issues, LASIK may be the best option for improving your vision. Rather than replacing the lens, LASIK involves carefully removing tissue from the cornea to improve the clarity of your sight. Not everyone can get LASIK: it isn’t right for patients with cataracts or elderly patients.
Cataract Surgery
If you were considering RLE for treating cataracts, traditional cataract surgery may be an alternative to consider. While cataract surgery also involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with an implant, it does not correct refractive issues, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.Â
Glasses or Contact Lenses
If you were considering RLE to resolve rereactive errors, wearing glasses or contact lenses is always a fallback option. However, it’s worth considering that this option can actually wind up costing more in the long run as you spend money on corrective lenses every year. RLE also gives patients greater freedom, allowing them to live life without a visual mediator.
Get State-of-the-Art Vision Correction at Gelman Vision in McAllen
If you’re tired of blurry vision, it’s time to talk to your eye doctor about your options for vision correction. Whether you need LASIK vision correction or lens replacement surgery, the team here at Gelman Vision can provide you with top-quality care in McAllen.
You don’t have to live life in a haze. Come see Dr. Rachel Gelman to learn more about what sorts of treatments might suit your needs.