Laser eye surgery has been a popular method to correct vision problems for the past decade. Millions of people have benefited from laser vision surgery. However, not all patients are suitable for laser surgery. An alternative is having intraocular lens surgery. Refractive lens exchange, or RLE, can completely eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Today, intraocular lenses are used throughout the world to effectively treat blurring of vision associated with refractive errors, vision problems associated with age, and clouding of lenses due to cataracts.

An intraocular lens or IOL is a lens that is surgically implanted in the eye. This is done after removing the original crystalline eye lens. The replacement lens is usually made of plastic material that is flexible.

With age, the natural lens of the eye can become cloudy or hazy. This is called cataract formation and cannot be treated by simply using eyeglasses. The most effective solution is to remove the cloudy lens and put a synthetic lens in its place.

In patients with presbyopia or gradual blurring of vision, the intraocular lenses are also used to correct vision problems. The eye doctor removes the original lens and inserts a replacement lens. Presbyopia is a progressive blurring of near vision that starts around middle age and becomes worse with advancing age.

Using intraocular lenses in vision correction surgery is a proven safe and effective procedure. Complications are rare and, if they ever occur, are often limited to patients with previous medical problems and health issues. Before proceeding with the treatment, a medical history and physical examination will be done. The health of the eyes will be assessed and essential measurements of the eye will be noted.

Lens replacement surgery is an outpatient procedure, usually completed in 30 minutes to an hour. The procedure starts with numbing the eye using eye drops, after which the eye surgeon makes a tiny cut on the outer edge of the cornea. A small fine instrument is gently inserted into the incision. Using a microscope and ultrasound waves from this tiny tool, the doctor gently breaks the natural crystalline lens into small fragments. These are then easily washed away and suctioned through the probe. When the natural lens has been removed completely, a new lens is placed in position through the same cut at the outer edge of the cornea. The intraocular lens becomes a permanent lens, replacing the original one.

The patient is discharged immediately after the operation. Post operative care includes eye drops to lubricate the eyes and prevent infection. Care should be taken so as not to put pressure on the eyes such as rubbing. Some eye doctors provide a clear shield that should be worn over the eye for a few days. The day after the surgery, the patient can go back to normal activities.

Patients experience new freedom after lens replacement surgery. After surgery, most patients do not need to wear eyeglasses entirely. Clear vision is enjoyed after surgery although it may take a month before the full extent of vision correction is attained.

Like any other operation, lens replacement surgery does have its risks. Although this is one of the quickest and safest surgical procedures done, there can be possible complications such as minor infection. This is managed effectively with antibiotics. Other potential risks are development of glares, haloes, and oedema in less than 1% of cases.

The procedure takes only less than an hour to complete but the positive results will last a lifetime. With surgical correction, absolute clear vision is made possible, which is sometimes impossible even with glasses or contact lenses. Whether the condition is myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, or cataracts, the ground-breaking intraocular lens surgery can now be the immediate and permanent solution to these vision problems.

Consult a physician for a personalised assessment and tailored treatment of refractive lens exchange or Clarivu Total Vision Correction (Optegra). Depending on the needs of each patient, lens replacement surgery or laser vision correction can be effectively performed by an eye doctor to improve the quality of life.