Carolinas Centers For Sight

Visian ICL | Refractive Lens Exchange

Refractive Lens Exchange

RLE uses the same highly successful surgical techniques used in modern small-incision cataract surgery. The primary difference between cataract surgery and RLE is that cataract surgery is per-formed to remove a patient's cloudy lens and RLE is performed to reduce one's dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

RLE is an outpatient procedure. The natural lens is removed using ultrasonic vibrations through a very small incision and replaced through that same incision with an intraocular lens (IOL). A mild sedation is administered. Most patients report quick improvement in their vision and resume their normal activities within a day or two. One eye is done at a time and the second eye is usually done within a week or two.

Are you a candidate for LASIK or multifocal lenses? Click on either image on the right, answer a few questions and we'll email you a response.