Refractive Lens Exchange

For some patients, LASIK, iLASIK, PRK and even Implantable Contact Lenses are not considered viable treatment options due to certain factors. In these cases, a Refractive Lens Exchange or RLE may provide the best results.

Rick’s RLE Story

Is RLE Right for You?

Below are some of the factors that may make RLE your best option for vision correction.

• High Prescription Outside the Treatable Range
• Thin Corneas
• Minor Corneal Conditions
• Chronic Dry Eye
• Persons at Risk for Cataract Formation
• Persons with Presbyopia Who Desire Multi-focal Vision

RLE is a surgical procedure that uses the same technique as modern cataract surgery. Just like cataract surgery, RLE involves removing the natural lens in the eye and replacing it with a tiny permanent prescription Intraocular Lens (IOL) resulting in improved vision and reduced dependency on glasses or contact lenses. This is different than most other refractive surgeries, like LASIK, that involve reshaping the cornea.

In a sense, RLE is the most time-proven of all refractive surgeries since modern cataract surgery with IOLs has been performed for over 40 years. Likewise, cataract surgery is the most common surgery of any kind in modern medicine.

IOLs

As in cataract surgery, a single vision IOL can be inserted to eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In this scenario, distance vision will be significantly improved, but reading glasses will still be needed. Multi-focal IOLs have become a popular option to correct both distance AND reading vision.

Benefits of RLE

RLE is an increasingly popular vision correction procedure because it is familiar to all skilled cataract surgeons, and yields consistent, predictable results. Furthermore, recovery from the procedure is fast, the risk of complication is low, and there is no concern about developing cataracts later in life.

Meet Dr. Conley

Ryan P. Conley, D.O. is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cornea specialist. He has established himself as an advanced cataract surgery specialist, performing the first LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgery in the state of Oklahoma.  He also performs LASIK blade-free vision correction, refractive lens implant surgery and various corneal transplant procedures.

Dr. Conley is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Osteopathic Association, and Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.