What is refractive lens exchange?

Refractive lens exchange is a more extensive form of eye surgery than laser eye surgery. If you have refractive lens exchange, your natural eye lens is removed, and then replaced with an artificial lens made from silicone or high-grade plastic.

The optical properties of the inserted lens can correct almost any refractive defect, including short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism in some cases. Who benefits from refractive lens exchange?

Your sight can be corrected successfully by having the lenses inside your eyes replaced if you are:

• Aged over 40.
• You have the early signs of cataract formation.
• Your short or long sight is too marked to make you a good candidate for laser eye surgery.

Bioptics at The London Clinic

Bioptics is a technique used to solve more complex refractive eye problems; it involves having more than one technique. Patients will typically undergo refractive lens exchange to correct the majority of the refractive defect that is impairing their vision.

Then, once the eye has healed sufficiently, we can use LASEK/PRK or LASIK laser eye surgery to remodel the cornea to treat any residual refractive error.

This does mean multiple procedures and a more complex treatment plan for individual patients, but even those who thought their sight could not be improved by surgery can end up with 20:20 vision without glasses or contact lenses.