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Refractive Lens Exchange
Clear or Crisp? How About Both?
At Howerton Eye, our mission is to help our patients achieve beautiful, crystal clear vision as conveniently as possible – and to make that vision last a lifetime. As a leading eye clinic serving patients throughout the greater Austin, Southwest Austin, and Kyle, TX area, we’re proud to offer convenient, premium-quality eye care to our patients at an affordable price. If you’re tired of glasses and contact lenses and want a permanent solution to your vision problems, refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery may be able to help.
What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive lens exchange, also called clear lens exchange or refractive lensectomy, is a procedure in which your eye doctor removes the natural lens of your eye and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It’s the same fundamental procedure as cataract surgery, but performed on patients without cataracts that just want better vision.
All in all, it’s a convenient path to 20/20 vision without the need for glasses or contacts.
Why Would I Want Refractive Lens Exchange?
RLE offers a number of benefits over other treatments for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other sight issues. It’s similar to LASIK eye surgery in that it’s a permanent treatment for sight problems, but it can be preferable to LASIK in some cases. In particular, RLE is a great option for patients who aren’t eligible for LASIK due to thin corneas or other issues. But even for patients who qualify for LASIK, RLE offers a number of advantages:
- Fast, outpatient procedure with quick recovery
- Leaves the corneas intact, preventing some complications
- Prevents cataracts, eliminating the need for cataract surgery in the future
- Vision corrections are permanent with no risk of regression, unlike LASIK
- Variety of options available for IOLs
Ready to reclaim your eyesight, once and for all? We’re here to help. Schedule a consultation today to find out if RLE is right for you and explore all your options for treatment at our Austin, Southwest Austin, and Kyle, TX locations. Your eye doctor will take the time to talk with you and answer any questions, ensuring you get the best possible treatment. We look forward to hearing from you, and no matter what treatment you choose, we look forward to helping you achieve gorgeous, crystal-clear vision!
Request an AppointmentThe Refractive Lens Exchange Procedure
While the words “eye surgery” may sound a little scary, refractive lens exchange is anything but. The RLE procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes just 15 minutes per eye. Your skilled eye surgeon ensures the procedure goes off without a hitch. The only thing to note is that you won’t be able to drive after the procedure, so you’ll need to arrange for a ride home. Other than that, it’s a routine, minor surgical procedure with limited downtime – and the results are immediate.
