Should we learn about refractive lens exchange?

Are you tired of wearing glasses and using contact lenses? You probably know all too well the hassle of having to switch between one for near vision and another for distance vision? Maybe you've been thinking about "laser" surgery, or something like LASIK, but your doctor has told you that your eye power is too high or for some other reason. So if you're wondering what to do now, don't worry. There is another effective way to get rid of glasses almost completely. That's what we're talking about today.

What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)?

Simply put, Refractive Lens Exchange is a surgery in which the natural lens in your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens that is designed to match your own vision. We call this artificial lens an Intraocular Lens (IOL) . Think of it like having a small lens with the same power as your glasses or contact lenses permanently implanted inside your eye.

Once the IOL is inserted into your eye, it works like your natural lens. It focuses light entering your eye and focuses it directly on the retina. This allows you to see clearly. Many people do not need to wear glasses after this surgery. Some people may only need glasses for close-up tasks, such as reading a book or newspaper.

This is a good alternative to laser surgery like LASIK. LASIK surgery changes the shape of the cornea. However, LASIK is not suitable for people with severe vision loss or other eye conditions. If you have been told that you cannot have LASIK, your doctor may recommend Refractive Lens Exchange surgery.

Who is this surgery best suited for?

An ophthalmologist will determine whether this surgery is right for you after a thorough examination of your eyes. This surgery is usually best for people over the age of 40. This is because at that age, people begin to experience presbyopia, which is a common nearsightedness that comes with age.

Let's see from the table below who this suits and who it doesn't suit.

What is the difference between cataract surgery and this?

Many people confuse this surgery with cataract surgery. Both involve removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens (IOL). However, the main difference lies in the reason for the surgery.

Let us explain this difference further.

How is the surgery done?

This surgery usually takes about 15-30 minutes. You will not be fully anesthetized. You will be awake, but you will not feel any pain.

• Step 1: First, you will be given special eye drops to numb your eye. You may also be given medication to keep you calm if needed.
• Step 2: The surgeon then makes a very small incision where the white of the eye and the cornea meet, either with a laser or a very small blade.
• Step 3: A pen-shaped instrument (phacoemulsification tool) is inserted through this incision, breaks your natural lens into small pieces, melts them, and removes them from your eye using a vacuum.
• Step 4: Finally, the new artificial lens (IOL) is inserted through the same incision and positioned inside the natural lens capsule.
• Step 5: This incision is so small that it doesn't even need stitches. It will close on its own. After the surgery, a small dressing will be placed over it to protect the eye.

What happens after the surgery? How long does it take to recover?

After the surgery, you will be monitored for about 30 minutes and then sent home. It is essential that someone is there to take you home. You should also have someone to take you to the clinic the next day.

In the first few days, it is normal to have some blurred vision, double vision, a feeling of sand in the eyes, redness of the eyes, and watery eyes. These symptoms will subside in a few days.

Some people may notice some changes in their vision, such as halos or glare around headlights, especially when driving at night. These will usually subside over time. Talk to your doctor about this in advance.

It can take up to 8 weeks for your eye to fully heal. However, you should be able to resume normal activities within a few days or weeks. Your doctor will advise you on when you can drive, go to work, shower, and exercise. It is important to use the eye drops exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Benefits, risks and when to seek immediate medical attention

The main advantages of this surgery are:

• Being able to treat all types of vision impairments, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
• Being able to largely be free from glasses (4 out of 5 people who have the surgery do not need glasses).
• There is no need to worry about developing cataracts in the future, because cataracts only form in natural lenses.

As with any surgery, there are some minor risks. The most serious, but very rare, complication is retinal detachment. These risks can be minimized by having the surgery performed by an experienced surgeon.

See a doctor immediately!

If you experience the following symptoms, they could be signs of retinal detachment. Therefore, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

• Suddenly seeing black dots or net-like objects floating in front of the eyes (new floaters).
• Flashes of light when the eyes are open or closed.
• Feeling as if a black curtain is falling across the vision.

Refractive Lens Exchange, IOL, eye surgery, vision without glasses, presbyopia, myopia, astigmatism, cataract surgery sinhala, RLE sinhala