Lens Replacement Surgery: Meaning, Procedure & Recovery

For those who are frustrated with deteriorating vision, lens replacement surgery (RLE) is a solution. It is a vision correction technique. The procedure is permanent and safe for people suffering from both long and short-sightedness. Even if you’re diagnosed with astigmatism, cataract, presbyopia, or have a dependency on bifocal, varifocal or multifocal contact lenses or glasses, then too, you qualify for natural lens replacement surgery.

How is natural lens replacement surgery done?

The surgery doesn’t take much time and the surgery gets completed within twenty minutes. You’ll be asked to rest for about half an hour immediately after the surgery. In this process, the natural lens of the eye is permanently replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

How long does it take to recover from the lens replacement surgery?

One should be able to get back to work within three to four days after the surgery is done. If you work in a dusty or smoky environment, then at least two weeks of rest is required before you resume to work. Natural lens replacement is also known by other terms like laser lens replacement (LLR), and presbyopia lens exchange (PRELEX), refractive lens exchange (RLE).

Laser Lens Replacement (LLR): What it means

Behind the pupil in the eye is a lens that supports fine focusing. With age, the lens gets harder and stops moving, which ultimately results in the need for glasses. With passing time, the lens becomes cloudy and starts disrupting the ability to see. This eye-condition becomes cataract. This situation is corrected by a sophisticated intraocular lens which is implanted after measuring correctly to suit each eye. This procedure requires an incision measuring 1.8mm across, while the most essential part of the surgery is performed by laser. The aim is to provide the patient with independence from spectacles.

An overview of lens replacement surgery

• Trifocal multifocal lens:

This kind of lens corrects near vision, intermediate and full vision. It provides a depth of focus and reduces or eliminates the need for glasses. These are high-performance lenses that require a cornea with excellent optical properties as well as a surface free of dryness and no streaky tear film.

• Monofocal lens:

This is a single focus lens and is primarily geared for distance only, which means the receivers will require glasses for near and intermediate vision.

• Toric lens:

Toric lens is used in those with astigmatism on their cornea of above 1.25D. These are available in combination with both trifocal and mono-focal lenses.

The procedure of laser lens replacement surgery

Before the surgery, the patient has to undergo a minimum set of eye investigations and measurements. From evaluating the current condition of the eyes to corneal mapping, contrast sensitivity and a check of overall eye aberrations, everything is checked. The patient will have to undergo a dry eye test as well as a pressure check (tonometry) and corneal thickness evaluation. At the Centre for Sight, we have the best team of surgeons and medical specialists who carefully treat eyes. They examine every aspect related to the eye problem and diagnose with the most appropriate solution depending upon the patients’ condition.

Article: Everything You Need to Know about Lens Replacement Surgery | Centre For Sight
Author: Dr JB Singh   |   Feb 17 2020 | UPDATED 02:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.