Refractive Lens Exchange

Refractive Lens Exchange can also be referred to as Clear Lens Exchange. The eyes’ natural lens is replaced with an artificial (intraocular) implant. The lens of the eye is used to reflect and focus light rays onto the retina, which ultimately allow you to see.  Cataracts form in the natural lens of the eye resulting in blurred vision over time.  Patient’s who choose to undergo a CLE will eliminate the possibility of cataracts forming at a later date and enjoy clear, crisp vision. 

If you have early cataracts, you could choose to have a CLE instead of waiting for the cataracts to advance enough to require cataract surgery. Artificial (intraocular) lenses likely can provide significantly better uncorrected vision at that point, especially if you now require vision correction with glasses or contact lenses.

This procedure is considered elective surgery, meaning that it is not covered by health insurance. CLE can sometimes be a great alternative for patients who have been told they are not candidates for LASIK surgery.  When a traditional implant is used for a CLE the distance vision is dramatically improved and the dependency of glasses for full time usage is greatly reduced and in some cases completely eliminated.  Patients will usually require correction for near tasks (reading) and intermediate tasks (computer). In addition, monovision can be used with CLE to allow distance vision and reading without glasses.

The technique used for CLE has been performed for decades on cataract patients with superb results.