Refractive Lens Exchange

If you have extreme nearsightedness but are ready to ditch your prescription eyeglasses, it’s time to consider refractive lens exchange. At Atlantic Eye Consultants, with offices in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Titusville, Rockledge, and Palm Bay, Florida, refractive lens exchange surgery is available to adults on an outpatient basis. The experienced ophthalmology team uses advanced intraocular lens (IOC) technology to correct vision problems so that you can see clearly without glasses or contacts. Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to find out if you’re a candidate for refractive lens exchange. You can also book an appointment online.

What is refractive lens exchange?

Refractive lens exchange is a minimally invasive surgery in which the eyes’ natural lenses are replaced with intraocular lenses (IOLs). An IOL is a prescription lens that corrects common vision problems.

Refractive lens exchange surgery permanently implants an IOL into your eye to reduce your reliance on prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Atlantic Eye Consultants offers refractive lens exchange procedures to qualified candidates. The ophthalmology team completes a comprehensive eye exam to determine whether the procedure fits your needs.

When should I consider refractive lens exchange surgery?

Atlantic Eye Consultants offers refractive lens exchange surgery as an alternative to laser procedures like LASIK and PRK.

The team could recommend refractive lens exchange if you’re not a candidate for laser treatments because you have an eye condition or extreme myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).

You might also be a candidate for refractive lens exchange if you have presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) and don’t want to wear glasses or contacts for reading and other up-close activities.

Refractive lens surgery might not be an option for those with diabetes-related eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, or risk factors for retinal detachment.

What happens during refractive lens exchange surgery?

During your refractive lens surgery, the Atlantic Eye Consultants team uses drops to numb the surface of your eye before creating a tiny incision with a surgical blade or laser.

Your surgeon breaks up your eye’s natural lens and vacuums it away. They insert the IOL through the incision, setting it in place. Because the incision is small, no further incisions are needed, and your eye should heal naturally.

After refractive lens exchange surgery, your vision could be blurry for several hours or days. Until your eyes heal fully, you might also experience watery or bloodshot eyes and double vision.

The ophthalmology team offers follow-up visits to monitor your healing progress. They let you know when it’s safe to drive and return to your usual activities.

Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to schedule a consultation for refractive lens exchange. You can also book an appointment online.