Utah Valley Eye Center is committed to improving your vision. We offer a wide range of vision correction procedures, including refractive lens exchange, also commonly known as RLE.
Utah Valley Eye Center is committed to improving your vision. We offer a wide range of vision correction procedures, including refractive lens exchange, also commonly known as RLE.
Benefits of RLE:
- Quick recovery time
- Lenses will last forever
- Toss your reading glasses when using premium lenses
How does RLE work?
RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) involves the removal of the natural lens and placement of an intraocular lens or IOL in its place to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.
There are many lens options to choose from depending upon your specific vision needs and lifestyle. At Utah Valley Eye Center your vision correction will be customized to your unique needs.
How does RLE work?
RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) involves the removal of the natural lens and placement of an intraocular lens or IOL in its place to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.
There are many lens options to choose from depending upon your specific vision needs and lifestyle. At Utah Valley Eye Center your vision correction will be customized to your unique needs.
What to expect the day of your RLE procedure.
RLE is a painless same-day procedure. We treat one eye at a time and generally schedule the eyes two weeks apart. This is important to ensure full healing of the first eye before moving forward with the second eye.
When you arrive at the surgical center you will be prepped for surgery and given dilating and numbing drops. Your physician will then remove your natural lens and insert a new lens through a microscopic incision that allows you to see without the need for glasses or contacts. The lens that is placed in your eye is calculated to a specific power based on your eye shape. This lens works by refracting the light properly on the retina for clear vision.
Who should consider RLE?
You may want to consider a refractive lens exchange procedure if you are over the age of 50 and you want to eliminate your dependency upon glasses and contact lenses. Patients with very high prescriptions or who have been told that they are not a good LASIK candidate might also want to consider RLE. Since the natural lens is removed during this procedure, you will never have to worry about developing cataracts in the future.
Who should consider RLE?
You may want to consider a refractive lens exchange procedure if you are over the age of 50 and you want to eliminate your dependency upon glasses and contact lenses. Patients with very high prescriptions or who have been told that they are not a good LASIK candidate might also want to consider RLE. Since the natural lens is removed during this procedure, you will never have to worry about developing cataracts in the future.
Lens options for RLE
There are many lens options for RLE surgery. Your physician will discuss your lifestyle and guide you in your lens decision during your pre-operative examination, fully customizing your vision.
Monofocal (standard single focus)
Monofocal (standard single focus)Standard lenses give you sharp vision at a single distance, either up close or far away, but not both. If you choose a lens that is set for near vision, you will wear glasses for driving or to see objects at a distance. If you choose a lens set for distance vision, you will wear glasses for reading or to see objects up close.
Toric (astigmatism correction)
Toric (astigmatism correction)Toric lenses are similar to standard lenses with the added benefit of correcting astigmatism. Astigmatism is present when the cornea is steeper in one axis compared to the other. The toric lens offsets astigmatism in the cornea which will decrease your dependence on glasses after surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for toric lenses. Dr. Gardiner will examine your eyes and discuss this option with you at your pre-operative appointment.
Monovision
MonovisionMonovision correction includes using either a standard or toric lens to correct one eye for distance and one eye for near. This is a great option for patients who have previously tried monovision with contact lenses. In most cases your brain needs to adjust to the difference between the two eyes and not everyone can tolerate this discrepancy.
Multifocal or Trifocal (premium multi focus)
Multifocal or Trifocal (premium multi focus)Premium lenses are designed to eliminate your need for glasses at distance and near. These lenses have concentric rings which allow your brain to naturally focus through different parts of the lens for distance or near activities. We offer the latest in multifocal technology with the Alcon Panoptix and Alcon Vivity lenses.
Alcon Vivity
- Great range of vision
- Minimal risk of glare or halo at night
- 90% satisfaction rate
- Clear vision far away, at arm’s length, and up close.
- May need readers at times for very small print.
Alcon Panoptix
- Best range of vision possible for a premium lens
- Higher risk of glare or halo at night
- First and only trifocal lens in the United States
- Clear vision far away, at arm’s length, and up close.
- 99% satisfaction rate.
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RLE FAQ
RLE is best for patients over the age of 50 who have already lost the ability to focus up close without the assistance of reading glasses.
RLE and cataract surgery are the same procedure. However, with RLE, the natural lens is removed before you develop a cataract. The purpose of RLE is to eliminate the need for glasses and the purpose of cataract surgery is to remove a cloudy lens and replace it with a clear lens.
Insurance does not cover RLE. Most insurance plans consider RLE to be a cosmetic procedure because the purpose is to eliminate your dependence upon glasses or contacts.
The lenses that are implanted will last forever and you will not need to have cataract surgery in the future.
As with any surgery there are potential risks, the greatest being infection with RLE. You will be on eyedrops for 3 weeks after your procedure to reduce this risk. Your surgeon will discuss any other potential risks with you at your pre-operative appointment.
Most people are ok to go back to their normal activities the day after surgery, other than very strenuous work. Talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle and type of work you do at your pre-operative appointment for more specific restrictions if applicable.
We ask that you stay away from any dirty water such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs or dirty environments for 2 weeks after your procedure. Avoid vigorous activity or lifting anything too heavy for one week after surgery.
RLE FAQ
RLE is best for patients over the age of 50 who have already lost the ability to focus up close without the assistance of reading glasses.
RLE and cataract surgery are the same procedure. However, with RLE, the natural lens is removed before you develop a cataract. The purpose of RLE is to eliminate the need for glasses and the purpose of cataract surgery is to remove a cloudy lens and replace it with a clear lens.
Insurance does not cover RLE. Most insurance plans consider RLE to be a cosmetic procedure because the purpose is to eliminate your dependence upon glasses or contacts.
The lenses that are implanted will last forever and you will not need to have cataract surgery in the future.
As with any surgery there are potential risks, the greatest being infection with RLE. You will be on eyedrops for 3 weeks after your procedure to reduce this risk. Your surgeon will discuss any other potential risks with you at your pre-operative appointment.
Most people are ok to go back to their normal activities the day after surgery, other than very strenuous work. Talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle and type of work you do at your pre-operative appointment for more specific restrictions if applicable.
We ask that you stay away from any dirty water such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs or dirty environments for 2 weeks after your procedure. Avoid vigorous activity or lifting anything too heavy for one week after surgery.