Independent patient guide
Say goodbye to reading glasses.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) replaces your eye's aging natural lens with a permanent artificial lens, so you can read your phone, a menu or a book up close again, and see clearly at a distance too.
Plus, after RLE you'll never develop a cataract!
You're choosing a one-time procedure designed to give you clear vision for the rest of your life.
Your phone screen is a blur until you find your readers.
Headlights and streetlights glare, blur or halo.
Menus, labels and fine print get harder to make out.
These are common signs of an aging natural lens. RLE replaces that lens with a clear, permanent one.
See if you're a candidateHow RLE works
Most of the time, both eyes are treated on the same day.
Detailed scans map your eye so your surgeon can choose the right lens power.
Drops numb the eye and a mild sedative helps you relax. You stay awake and comfortable.
A tiny incision is made at the edge of the cornea, often with a laser.
Your natural lens is gently broken up with ultrasound and removed.
A folded artificial lens (IOL) is inserted and unfolds into place.
The incision typically heals on its own, without stitches.
Are you a candidate?
What RLE costs
Most practices quote a package price after your consultation. The lens you choose drives the price more than anything else.
Standard monofocal lens
$2,500 to $4,000
per eye, or $5,000 to $8,000 for both eyes
Premium lens (multifocal, EDOF, toric, light adjustable)
$4,000 to $8,000+
per eye, or $8,000 to $16,000+ for both eyes
Ways to pay
Monthly financing at most practices. HSA and FSA funds generally qualify.
Insurance usually doesn't cover elective RLE.
Estimated spending from age 50 to 75, in today's dollars. Eye exams are excluded because you need them either way.
Compare your options
| Procedure | What it changes | Best for | Fixes reading vision? | Prevents cataracts? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RLE | Replaces the natural lens | Age 50+, high prescriptions | Yes, with premium lenses | Yes |
| LASIK / PRK | Reshapes the cornea | Ages 18 to 40s, mild to moderate | No | No |
| ICL | Adds a lens in front of yours | Ages 21 to 60, high nearsightedness | No | No |
| Cataract surgery | Replaces a cloudy lens | Anyone with a significant cataract | Yes, with premium lenses | It is the treatment |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
Medically reviewed by board-certified ophthalmologists
Which fits your age and prescription?
Medically reviewed by board-certified ophthalmologists
Same surgery, different reason
No. Numbing drops and light sedation keep you comfortable. Most people feel mild pressure and some scratchiness for a day or two.
The lens is designed to last the rest of your life and can't develop a cataract. Months or years later, the thin capsule behind it can turn hazy (PCO), which a quick in-office laser treatment clears.
Many people don't. It depends on your lens choice, and some people still use readers for small print or dim light.
Usually not, since it's elective. HSA and FSA funds can generally be used, and most practices offer financing. If your exam shows a cataract, the practice provides the diagnosis codes and exam results you can submit to your insurer for possible partial reimbursement.
Often, yes. Bring your old LASIK records if you have them so your surgeon can calculate the lens power accurately.
It depends on your age and your eyes. LASIK and ICL correct distance vision but leave your natural lens in place, so reading glasses and cataracts can still come later. RLE replaces that lens, so it can also address reading vision. Our RLE vs. LASIK vs. ICL guide compares all three side by side.
It's the same operation done for a different reason. Cataract surgery removes a lens that has already clouded, while RLE replaces a clear lens to reduce your dependence on glasses. Our RLE vs. cataract surgery guide explains the differences.
Complimentary consultation
Answer a few quick questions and we'll connect you with our partner practice closest to you for a complimentary evaluation and consult.
