Patient Procedures at Empire Eye Physicians

Refractive Lens Exchange

Reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses

Similar to cataract surgery, refractive lens exchange is a vision correction surgery that uses the same ultrasound technology to remove the natural lens of the eye. A clear plastic implant, or intraocular lens (IOL), is placed behind the iris through a small incision in the cornea. This technique is used occasionally for extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness.

By replacing your natural lens with an IOL, you not only avoid the effects of dysfunction lens syndrome (the progressive loss of function of your natural lens), but you can prevent the need for cataract surgery later in life.

At Empire Eye, we will work with you to determine the best IOL implant for your vision needs. Certain premium IOLs, such as Multifocal IOLs, will allow you to see both near and far and improve the vision problems found with presbyopia.

Learn More About Refractive Surgery

Procedure Benefits

  • Reduces need for glasses or contact lenses
  • High success rate
  • Eliminates the development of future cataracts

Who is a Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?

Refractive Lens Exchange is for patients who:

  • Are over the age of 40 and nearsighted, farsighted, or has an astigmatism
  • Want to reduce or eliminate their dependency on glasses or contact lenses
  • Have dysfunctional lens syndrome
  • Want to treat presbyopia (blurry up-close vision, related to age) with a multifocal implant
  • Are not a candidate for LASIK