Clear Lens Exchange
For our patients who are not good candidates for laser vision correction or the implantable contact lens, but seek independence from glasses and contact lenses, clear lens exchange may be an available option. Clear lens exchange is essentially cataract surgery in the absence of cataracts. Clear lens exchange works by removing the crystalline lenses inside of the eyes and replacing them with new lenses that are customized to correct your prescription. One of the benefits of clear lens exchange to those who are good candidates for the procedure, is that they will never require cataract surgery later in life. The crystalline lens that is removed during clear lens exchange is the part of the eye that develops cataracts as we age.
Clear lens exchange can correct for:
- High amount of near-sightedness or far-sightedness not treatable with LASIK/PRK or the implantable contact lens
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia (the inability to read a book or see your computer without reading glasses)
Good candidates for clear lens exchange:
- Patients who are not candidates for laser vision correction or the implantable contact lens, but want to have increased independence from glasses and contact lenses
- Patients who want increased independence from reading glasses
- Patients who struggle with vision in contact lens wear because of a high amount of astigmatism and who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK.
Benefits of clear lens exchange:
- Increased independence from glasses and contact lenses
- Elimination of the need for cataract surgery later in life
- Reduction in the chance of any post-operative complications seen with LASIK/PRK related to alteration of the cornea
- Ease of removing the crystalline lens in the eye compared to removing a mature cataract, which inherently results in quicker recovery time
Risks of clear lens exchange:
- Same intra-operative and post-operative risks associated with cataract surgery, as the procedure is essentially the same
- Posterior capsular opacification: a membrane or growth of cells on the back of the lens implant that while benign for the health of the eye, can cause cloudiness of vision following the procedure. This membrane can be removed with a quick, painless, in-office laser procedure following your surgery if indicated. This membrane does not reappear once treated.