The Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) procedure is a refractive surgery that is used to treat refractive vision conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness.

About the RLE Procedure

RLE surgery is a brief outpatient procedure that is nearly identical to cataract surgery. It takes less than 30 minutes to complete, is done under local anesthetic, and has a minimal recovery time. 

During RLE surgery, your surgeon will make a small incision and use an ultrasound to break up and remove your eye’s natural lens. Then, the surgeon will replace the lens with a clear intraocular lens implant (IOL). This IOL allows your eye to better focus light on your retina, which corrects your prescription and provides a high degree of glasses independence.

Candidates for RLE Surgery

RLE surgery is a great option for patients who are older, don’t yet have cataracts, and who wear strong glasses or contact lens prescriptions.