When it comes to eliminating your dependence on prescription lenses, LASIK is hardly the only refractive surgery option. In fact, many patients who are not good candidates for LASIK are pleased to learn about clear lens extraction (sometimes called refractive lens exchange or RLE).
Clear lens extraction is a surgery that removes the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that includes a prescription to help correct vision. These premium IOLs help to refocus incoming light so that it bends correctly to the retina for crisper vision. This is a similar procedure to cataract surgery, which also replaces the natural lens with an IOL. Find out below what problems clear lens extraction can help patients overcome:
Myopia
Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes it more challenging to see objects in the distance clearly because the eyeball is slightly longer (more oval-like) than average. About two out of every five Americans has this condition. Clear lens exchange can
Hyperopia
With hyperopia, or farsightedness, affected patients can see objects in the distance well, but experience blurriness when looking at things up close. Affecting approximately 7% of Americans, hyperopia is usually caused by a flatter-than-normal cornea, which makes the incoming light refract behind the retina. An IOL can help to refract the light right toward the retina.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is the consequence of an abnormal curvature on the eye’s lens or cornea. Since the incoming light can refract in various ways, this often makes vision blurry at multiple distances. Astigmatism affects over 30% of Americans, with many people also having another refractive error like myopia or hyperopia. Toric IOLs are usually most helpful for astigmatism since they can correct multiple irregularities simultaneously.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness, affects almost everyone after the age of 40. It is a degenerative condition where a protein breakdown in the lens causes it to become less flexible. This change makes it more difficult to focus on nearby objects. Whereas LASIK is not recommended for presbyopia patients since the prescription is not steady, clear lens extraction is much more effective for correcting distance at multiple vision to limit the patient’s dependence on glasses.
Learn More About Clear Lens Extraction
At Laser Eye Center of Miami, ophthalmologist Dr. Gabriel Lazcano performs clear lens extraction for a variety of patients who want to eliminate the hassle of wearing prescription lenses. To determine if you are a good candidate for this surgery or a different type of refractive procedure, please call our office at (305) 443-4733.