Presbyopia is a type of farsightedness that occurs when lens elasticity deteriorates as a result of the natural aging process. This condition typically develops in people around the age of 40. Refractive Lens Exchange, also called RLE, can restore near vision in qualified patients with presbyopia. This technique can also serve as a laser vision correction alternative for patients who are trying to reduce their reliance on corrective lenses to see clearly at a range of distances.
RLE has become more popular among presbyopia patients and others with common visual refractive errors in the last few years. The reason for the interest appears to be the myriad benefits. RLE can significantly improve “full-focus” vision — near, intermediate, and distance — often without the need for glasses or contacts. Only an experienced ophthalmologist performing a physical examination can determine if a patient is a qualified candidate for RLE. During the procedure, the eye surgeon will replace, or “exchange,” the existing lens with an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL. Ideal patients for RLE typically include those who are:
- Over the age of 40
- Experiencing Presbyopia
- Do not have signs of cataract development or have incipient cataracts
- Looking to improve near- and/or far-distance vision
Patients who are not qualified for RLE may be candidates for another vision correction treatment.
For patients diagnosed with cataracts, RLE will typically be performed if the fundus can be examined properly, of if the patients states that he/she doesn’t have any previous eye disorders.
Refractive Lens Exchange: The Procedure
Lens replacement surgery usually takes about 10 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. It is advisable to do both eyes as a same day surgery. Numbing anesthetic drops are used during RLE, so typically there is no discomfort, and most people report immediate vision improvement after the procedure.
Initial recovery from refractive lens exchange — when you can resume normal everyday activities — usually takes about a week. Final outcomes of refractive lens exchange can take up to several weeks, and one may notice vision disturbances such as blurry vision, halos and glare, or a “scratchy” sensation as your eyes heal.
The patient should be able to return to work and resume driving within a week of surgery, dependent on the eye surgeon’s instructions.
Normally, there’s no feel an IOL in the eye, in the same way that there’s no feel for a dental filling for a cavity.
Also, since the lens is situated inside the eye and not on the surface like a contact lens, it is not visible to the naked eye. The artificial intraocular lens is a permanent replacement for natural lens and is designed to last the rest of the life. And, because IOLs are not affected by age-related changes, there is minimal risk of regression (loss of corrective effect or deterioration of vision) over time.
Bojan Kozomara (Banjaluka, 30. decembra 1978) je doktor medicine, specijalista oftamologije i direktor specijalne oftalmološke bolnice Svjetlost Banja Luka.
U svom rodnom gradu završio je Gimnaziju i Medicinski fakultet, a 2009. godine specijalizovao se za oblast oftamologije. 2016. godine postao je magistar medicinskih nauka iz oblasti oftamologije, a svoju profesiju usavršio je na Klinici za očne bolesti, VMA Beograd, Srbija, te na Klinici Oculistica Universita „Careggi“, u Firenci, Italija. Nakon završene specijalizacije u Italiji, odlučio se vratiti u rodnu Banjaluku i tu pokrenuti privatnu kliniku, koja će za vrlo kratko vrijeme postati popularna i prepoznatljiva u regionu, ali i svijetu.
