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If you found out that LASIK isn’t the right option for you, refractive lens exchange surgery could still be a great treatment option. This lens replacement surgery is also designed to minimize your dependence on glasses and contact lenses but does so in a method similar to cataract surgery. During a refractive lens exchange, an expert ophthalmologist at Specialty Eye Institute replaces the natural lens in your eye with an Intraocular Lens (IOL) so you have clearer, sharper eyesight.
Our team of ophthalmologists offer innovative refractive surgery and treatment options to clients in Michigan and Ohio. We can complete this procedure while avoiding stitches by using a special tunneling incision. This can help you get back to your everyday life even sooner. Call us at (877) 852-8463 or request an appointment online to learn more about how lens replacement surgery works.
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What Are Refractive Lens Exchange Treatments?
A refractive lens exchange can be a great fit for someone with severe or age-related farsightedness to greatly improve visual focus—especially because these eye conditions aren’t well-suited to be treated with other types of eye care options such as LASIK, PRK, or phakic IOL refractive surgeries. Our staff of ophthalmologists and doctors provide safe and effective eye care solutions to clients in locations such as Ann Arbor, Toledo, Adrian, Kalamazoo, and Jackson. Lens replacement surgery can correct nearsightedness, but we recommend talking with our team of doctors to find a treatment that meets your requirements. The goal is to visibly and safely reduce your corrective lens dependence.
Refractive Lens Exchange for Presbyopia
Age-related farsightedness, or presbyopia, can occur with virtually anybody because your eye lenses naturally lose elasticity over time. This makes it harder and harder for your eyes to focus on close-range objects. While you can alleviate this condition with reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, or multifocal or monofocal contact lenses, many people opt for refractive lens exchange surgery. This way, you can overcome your presbyopia with customized multifocal or accommodating lenses.
How Do I Know If I Qualify For Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive Lens Exchange is designed for people who:
- Are 45 years and older*
- Have early lens changes and desire refractive lens replacement surgery*
- Have to wear strong prescription lenses for distance vision*
- May not have enough corneal thickness for LASIK alone*
Your eye doctor can advise you in determining if you are a candidate for an eye lens replacement surgery as well as discussing possible risks involved and alternatives.
Intraocular Lenses (IOL)
Intraocular lenses have been in use for over 50 years. Today, they are available in many shapes, sizes, and materials. During your evaluation, your doctor will assess your vision and work with you to create a customized Refractive Lens Exchange surgery plan with the lens option that best suits your lifestyle and needs.
Premium IOL Options
Astigmatism Correcting Lens
These advanced lenses correct higher levels of astigmatism and provide clear distance and night driving vision. You will still need glasses for near and intermediate vision or driving at night.
Monofocal Lens
Monofocal lenses can provide clear distance vision for patients without astigmatism. You will still need glasses for near and intermediate vision or driving at night after you receive an eye lens replacement procedure.
Depth of Focus Lens
Depth of focus lenses provide a continuous range of vision at all distances and allow you to be free of glasses for 80- 90% of the day to fit your active lifestyle. You will still need glasses for near vision and possibly driving at night.
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Femtosecond Laser
A Refractive Lens Exchange surgery can be performed using the femtosecond laser for some of the most challenging parts of the procedure. The experienced eye surgeons at Specialty Eye Institute create precisely centered and shaped incisions for each patient. After the incision is made, a new intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to create customized vision for each patient. Specialty Eye Institute offers the lowest cost for the femtosecond laser surgery so that more patients can enjoy the benefits of customized vision.
ORA System
Prior to your refractive lens replacement surgery, a number of tests and measurements are performed to determine the intraocular lens (IOL) power, cylinder power and lens orientation for your desired visual outcome. During surgery the eye is constantly in motion and a number of unknown surgical factors could create a margin of error. The ORA intraoperative aberrometry system is used to provide a real-time analysis of your eye to ensure more precise IOL power, cylinder power and lens orientation.
The ORA System Can Improve the Accuracy Especially for Patients Who:
- Have astigmatism
- Had prior LASIK or PRK
- Elected to use a multifocal lens
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Refractive Lens Exchange vs. LASIK Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is the most well-known procedure for correcting nearsightedness and farsightedness. But, if you have an intense refractive vision issue or abnormally shaped cornea, you’re better off getting a lens replacement surgery. Unlike LASIK, refractive lens exchange can fix any form of farsightedness. If you have severe farsightedness, you tend to have much more visual acuity afterward than you would if you had received a LASIK treatment.
If you have nearsightedness, most eye doctors and ophthalmologists recommend that you treat it with LASIK or PRK—unless you’re not a good candidate for those. Keep in mind that lens replacement surgery is more expensive than LASIK and neither is typically covered by vision insurance. Give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to discuss the advantages of receiving a refractive lens exchange surgery or to request an appointment. Our doctors are committed to resolving your refractive vision issues.
Refractive Lens Exchange Results
The goal of lens replacement surgery is to curb your reliance on glasses and contacts. However, you may still need them depending on what kind of IOLs you get. Monofocal IOLs bring excellent clarity and contrast sensitivity, but you’ll most likely need reading glasses with an anti-reflective or photochromic coating. To see across various ranges, multifocal or accommodating IOLs can be integrated with a refractive lens exchange surgery to improve your vision.
These could even further reduce the need for corrective lenses, but visual disturbances (e.g. halos, night glare) tend to be more common. Our doctors provide comprehensive lens replacement treatments in areas including Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, Adrian, Toledo, Lansing, and Jackson. By talking to an ophthalmologist at Specialty Eye Institute, we can pinpoint your areas of concern and choose the right IOL for you.
Benefits of Refractive Lens Replacement Surgery
Refractive lens exchange surgery is a huge win for people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, thin corneas, and other conditions that prevent them from getting LASIK. Now, they can experience a visual transformation with:
- Quick recovery
- Zero risk of thickened corneas
- Zero risk of cataracts
- Zero loss in corrective effectiveness
Potential Risks & Complications
Although lens replacement surgery does a great deal for your vision, it does come with its risks. Our eye doctors would be happy to explain these to you and consult you on the best steps forward:
- Glaucoma
- Infection
- Retinal detachment
- Miscorrection
- Bleeding
- IOL dislocation
Refractive Lens Exchange Treatments
If you’re ready to say goodbye to your heavy lens prescription, contact our team of ophthalmologists to discuss the benefits of receiving a lens replacement surgery. Our team will help you set up a consultation so we can hear your goals and determine how to bring you new and improved vision. Whether we decide on refractive lens exchange or another form of treatment, you can rest assured you’re working with the best eye care team and most cutting-edge technology around. Contact (877) 852-8463 today to request your appointment.
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