Long-Term Vision Correction for Adults 40+
If you're over 40 and frustrated with reading glasses, bifocals, or progressive lenses, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) offers a lasting alternative. This advanced procedure replaces your eye’s natural lens with a premium intraocular lens (IOL), restoring sharp vision at near, intermediate, and far distances.
At American Eye Associates, we offer RLE for patients with presbyopia, farsightedness, or those who aren’t candidates for LASIK or PRK.
What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?
RLE is nearly identical to cataract surgery, but we perform it before cataracts develop, allowing patients to correct their vision and avoid future lens deterioration. We remove the natural lens and replace it with a custom-selected IOL that improves your focus at multiple distances, depending on the lens you choose.
RLE is especially beneficial for:
The Benefits of RLE
- Freedom from reading glasses, bifocals, or progressives
- Eliminates the need for future cataract surgery
- Safe, proven, and effective procedure
- Customizable based on your visual goals and lifestyle
What to Expect from RLE Surgery
RLE is an outpatient procedure that takes about 15 to 30 minutes per eye and is performed by one of our board-certified ophthalmologists. Here’s how it works:
- Before surgery, you’ll have an exam and testing to select the right lens
- During the procedure, we apply numbing drops and remove your natural lens using a gentle, ultrasonic technique
- The surgeon implants a premium intraocular lens (IOL) in its place
- No stitches necessary, and most patients go home the same day
Premium IOL Lens Options
We offer a full range of advanced intraocular lenses to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses:
- Multifocal IOLs (PanOptix®): Provide clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances. Ideal for patients who want to ditch readers and bifocals.
- Extended Depth of Focus IOLs (Vivity™): Provide a smooth visual range with fewer halos or glare. Great for those who drive at night or prefer crisp, contrast-rich vision.
- Toric IOLs: Correct astigmatism while improving distance or multifocal vision.