People suffering from hyperopia (severe farsightedness) or presbyopia shouldn’t opt for the commonly used corrective procedures like LASIK or PRK surgeries. Rather, one should choose Refractive Lens Exchange.
In this procedure of Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
What is involved in the procedure of Refractive Lens Exchange?
This procedure will take about 15 minutes per eye and is usually performed on an outpatient basis. It involves removal of the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with one of three IOL varieties:
• Monofocal IOL - This is an option, providing clear vision for a single distance type (near, intermediate or far).
• Multifocal IOL: these premium lenses provide correction across multiple distances at fixed points
• Accommodating IOL: these are the most advanced type of lenses allowing clear vision across all distances; near, intermediate, far and every point in between.
With the help of your eye surgeon, you can decide on the best type of lens for your needs.
What are the benefits of a Refractive Lens Exchange?
Well, there are some terrific benefits you can get from Refractive Lens Exchange. The transformative benefits of RLE include some of the following:
1. Rapid recovery
2. No risk involved in losing corrective effect
3. No alteration in corneal thickness and thus potential complications are eliminated
4. Age-related farsightedness can be corrected
5. Risks of Cataract is reduced
6. After the surgery, the patient will not have to wear spectacles and thus routine activities like running, reading, swimming, jogging and so on can be continued with ease and comfort.
Recovery from RLE
After the Refractive Surgery in Goa, you will need someone to drive you back home. Also, for most patients improved vision is immediate but overall corrective benefits will be observed only after a few weeks. During the period of recovery, patients are most likely to experience some issues including blurred vision, mild discomfort and glare as the eye heals.
Risks and complications involved in RLE
Risks associated with RLE include some of the following:
• IOL dislocation
• Excessive bleeding
• Over correction
• Infection
• Under correction
• Glaucoma
• Posterior capsular occlusion
Every surgical procedure comes with risks and the same applies for RLE. The risks might not be similar to those of other corrective eye procedures. Since there are higher risks associated with this procedure, your surgeon might not advise you to opt for this method unless you have a high prescription for myopia or hyperopia.