About Refractive Lens Exchange & Lens Implants

Refractive Lens Exchange, which is also called Clear Lens Replacement or Lens Replacement Surgery with lens implants, is another option we offer our patients who wish to reduce their dependency on glasses. The common vision problems of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can be corrected either by reshaping the cornea -- the front clear window of the eye -- or by changing the power of the lens inside the eye. If your surgeon’s examination reveals that you are not a good candidate for corneal surgery such as LASIK or PRK, we are able to then evaluate your candidacy for Refractive Lens Exchange using lens implants.

Lens Replacement Surgery is a procedure very similar to cataract surgery, in that your surgeon is removing the natural crystalline lens and replacing it with a new, artificial lens. The difference is that with cataract surgery, the lens is being replaced because it has become “cloudy”. With Lens Replacement Surgery, the crystalline lens is being removed and replaced because it is not of proper strength to allow you to see clearly without having to rely on glasses.

Lens Replacement Surgery is performed in our Ambulatory Surgery Center at Lankenau or Haverford under mild sedation. Each eye is done separately, about one to two weeks apart. We often use the Crystalens® Accommodating Lens Implant as the replacement lens for our patients having this procedure in order to provide the best final visual result.

One special benefit of having Lens Replacement Surgery is never needing to worry about having cataract surgery, because your new lens will not become cloudy.

After your thorough eye examination, your surgeon will be able to determine which of our many surgical options would be best suited for you.