What Are the Pros and Cons of Refractive Lens Exchange?

Most people consider procedures like laser eye surgery to correct common vision problems and reduce their dependence on glasses. However, some patients are not qualified for LASIK for one reason or another. For example, patients over a certain age may have a condition called presbyopia due to age. Nashville eye surgeons Dr. Ming Wang and Dr. Josh Frenkel may recommend a treatment called refractive lens exchange (RLE).

Wang Vision Institute is proud to have published the first textbook on this innovative technology, also known as Forever Young™ lens surgery.

Do you want to see more clearly in everyday life? Do you have trouble reading menus or books at home? RLE at our eye center replaces your natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to significantly improve your vision. The pros and cons of refractive lens exchange depend on your age, current vision issues, refractive errors, and goals. Contact our office to schedule your evaluation and learn what goes into this corrective treatment.

How refractive lens exchange works

Refractive lens exchange is used to treat a wide range of eye conditions. The trained Nashville eye surgeons at Wang Vision Institute may suggest Forever Young lens surgery in patients over 40 who have been diagnosed with presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness caused by a hardening of the lens over time. RLE is also successful in younger patients with refractive errors, like farsightedness and nearsightedness.

Refractive lens exchange is often compared to cataract surgery because in both treatments, the problematic lens is taken out and replaced with a clear one. Wang Vision Institute can perform Forever Young lens surgery using cutting-edge tools and advanced technologies at our office. However, all patients must undergo an eye assessment before moving forward with any surgery.

Pros of refractive lens exchange

There are many advantages of getting refractive lens exchange. In addition to reversing blurry vision, patients can enjoy the following at our eye center:

• RLE reduces reliance on glasses, which can cause headaches and eye strain

• Candidates who have been turned down for traditional LASIK may turn to RLE

• Artificial lenses used in RLE are not prone to conditions like cataracts in the future

• Patients enjoy high success rates from surgery

Cons of refractive lens exchange

While refractive lens exchange comes with many benefits, patients should also be aware of the potential risks involved. During your vision assessment at our eye center, we can review the potential drawbacks of corrective eye surgery together. This includes:

• Candidates cannot undergo treatment if they have certain corneal diseases or medical disorders that slow healing

• Common side effects of refractive lens exchange include glare or halos around lights

• Some patients experience temporary redness or irritability in the eye area

• Rare complications include infection or retinal detachment

Contact our eye center

Although there are some limitations to refractive lens exchange, this procedure is incredibly effective for the right candidates. Nashville eye surgeons Dr. Ming Wang and Dr. Josh Frenkel can discuss the pros and cons of Forever Young lens surgery when you call for a consultation at Wang Vision Institute. Our team is excited to help patients of all needs and backgrounds see clearly again.