Refractive Lens Exchange   What is Refractive Lens Exchange? Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is the process whereby the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial lens to reduce or eliminate existing refractive errors.  The operation is identical to cataract surgery, just without waiting for a cataract to form.  The replacement artificial lens establishes a more neutral optical state so that the patient is no longer severely nearsighted or farsighted.   Very often, little or no refractive error remains and the patient enjoys markedly improved vision without glasses.  If any residual refractive error (including astigmatism) remains after RLE, it can usually be erased a few months later with a minor LASIK procedure.  Depending on the type of intraocular lens used during RLE, often presbyopia can be corrected in addition to the distance vision. RLE = CLE Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is the same process as Clear Lens Extraction (CLE).  Both terms are often used to refer to the identical procedure and can confuse patients.  They are literally interchangeable terms.   Who might benefit from RLE? Patients who are not good candidates for Laser Vision Correction because: prescription is outside the approved parameters of the excimer laser Insufficient corneal thickness for full correction by excimer laser cornea is too steep or too flat to allow full correction by excimer laser have the early stages of cataract development but not advanced enough to meet insurance and visual reduction criteria have already developed presbyopia (i.e. 45 years of age or older)   What type of lens is used? There are generally two types of lenses to choose from, monofocal or multifocal.   Traditionally monofocal lenses have been used, but limit the range of focus without glasses to either distance or near vision.  Multifocal lenses allow a broader range of vision allowing the patient to retain useful vision in both the distance and for reading.  The new "ReSTOR" multifocal lens made by Alcon is Dr. Mitchell's lens of choice for multifocal lens implantation and represents an exciting state-of-the-art advancement.  Dr. Mitchell will help you decide which type of lens is best suited for you and your lifestyle during your consultation.   ReSTOR  Multifocal  IOL The latest multifocal apodized diffractive intraocular lens by Alcon (ReSTOR) represents a technological leap in patient satisfaction and visual versatility.  Patients who opted for this multifocal lens in the FDA trials reported an independence from glasses unachievable by monofocal lenses.  The need for glasses for distance or near tasks was markedly reduced, resulting in high degrees of patient satisfaction.  Dr. Mitchell has been excited by his patient's visual range after implantation and routinely offers this lens to his RLE and cataract surgery patients.