Refractive Lens Exchange is an innovative way for people to improve their vision and prevent future eye conditions. The lens of the eye, nestled just behind the iris, is about the size of an M & M and helps to change the range of the eye’s focus. As we age, this ability to focus at any distance, called accommodation, gradually diminishes. Fortunately, we now have the technology to replace the lens with a number of special intraocular lens implants. The Crystalens is an accommodative lens that works in much the same manner as the eye’s natural lens, changing shape slightly to focus at all distances. The ReSTOR multifocal lens also provides the eye with several different ranges of great focus. Replacing the eye’s lens with one of these lenses is a procedure called Refractive Lens Exchange, or RLE.
A secondary benefit to RLE – but a big one – is that RLE patients will never develop cataracts. Cataracts are a part of the natural aging process, and can begin interfering with vision as early as 55 or 60. If you think you might be interested in this procedure, give us a call at Eastside Eye Associates.
