How Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) Might minimise Your Reliance on Glasses, Maximise Your Quality of Life
The leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the world, over a quarter of a million cataract surgeries are performed in Australia each year. As such, cataract removal is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide. Since aging and natural eye-related changes are risk factors, cataract removal is often associated with seniors aged 65 and older; however, younger patients are choosing to have surgery years before the traditionally accepted age for treatment. Dr. Rylan Hayes – The Vision Surgeon – performs refractive lens exchanges (RLE) for a diverse range of patients of the Sunshine Coast, regional Queensland, and beyond.
How does RLE compare to cataract surgery?
The techniques used to perform RLE are nearly identical to those used in conventional cataract surgery. Both treatments involve removing the natural lens. That lens is then replaced with an IOL (intraocular lens). The big distinction is the purpose of treatment. While cataract surgery removes a cloudy lens, RLE is performed when cataracts are absent. Patients may elect to undergo RLE to correct refractive errors that impair clear vision at various distances, and prevent cataracts ever forming in the future.
When is RLE appropriate?
RLE provides a sustained, clear vision for individuals with presbyopia. Associated with the aging process, presbyopia is characterised by difficulty focusing at near distances, such as when reading or working. If you have severe forms of farsightedness or nearsightedness, you may benefit from RLE, too. With RLE treatment, we have freed patients from the hassle and ongoing expense of contact lens wear, prescription eyewear, and reading glasses.
What are the benefits of RLE?
Over time, your eyes’ lenses gradually lose their youthful flexibility and gain cloudiness. At midlife, younger patients may have no unaided near vision and reduced visual clarity. As such, these patients may choose to replace their natural lenses with premium implants or artificial lenses that allow for independence from corrective eyewear and sharp vision at near, intermediate, and/or far distances. As IOL technology and alternatives to LASIK/PRK have advanced, there have never been more opportunities for refractive specialists like Dr. Hayes to quickly enhance vision for patients at more ages and life stages.
RLE may be a good option for you if:
- Your eyes are displaying early cataracts or early-stage vision changes (known as “dysfunctional lens syndrome”).
- You have healthy eyes and have not been diagnosed with macular disease.
- Your eyes do not have severe irregular astigmatism or amblyopia.
- You want to see better close-up.
- You have thin corneas, severe dry eyes, extreme prescriptions, and other factors that preclude you from laser-assisted procedures (like LASIK/PRK).
As noted above, RLE is an alternative to LASIK or PRK under certain circumstances. Research has found that midlife patients will likely develop cataracts in 10 to 15 years. RLE not only provides independence from glasses and contacts, but it also helps you avoid a second surgery and the challenges associated with IOL power selection after LASIK when cataract surgery becomes necessary. Additionally, you may have characteristics that make you unsuitable for LASIK in the first place.
What lenses are placed?
Dr. Rylan Hayes – The Vision Surgeon – is a “vendor-neutral” provider. He offers a range of IOL models and brands bespoke to your individual lifestyle. Each customised treatment is designed to balance your needs for visual precision and range across three visual zones or distances. The specific IOL recommended depends on factors such as the nature of your refractive errors, your correction needs, and your lifestyle, line of work, and day-to-day tasks and activities.
For instance, many patients with astigmatism may be treated with toric lenses. Monofocal IOLs may be appropriate for professionals and other individuals who regularly perform high-accuracy tasks, as these lenses can be set to a single distance. Alternatively, they may be used to provide monovision – a setup where one eye sees well for distance and the other well for near. The concept may seem unconventional, however many people find this an incredibly natural solution to reading difficulty when their brain seamlessly combines the images. We perform pre surgery trials with contact lenses to see if your brain enjoys this style of solution.
Multifocal/trifocal lenses may be suitable for individuals with presbyopia and other vision needs, as they allow clear vision at various distances. They do require otherwise very healthy eyes. Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs provide far to intermediate vision; however, glasses are still often needed for reading and other close-up tasks.
In general, each lens involves trade-offs and considerations. With so many advanced options, however, we need to see you to create a path to clearer vision with minimal glasses wear at our office in Maroochydore, QLD. Phone 07 4515 6084 to request an appointment at LASERSIGHT Sunshine Coast.
