A growing trend in eyecare is the rise of a procedure known as a clear lens exchange. This procedure is done to correct the vision without the need for glasses or contacts. A clear lens exchange involves taking the natural lens out of the eye and replacing it with an artificial one, just like what is done in cataract surgery.
Basics of the Crystalline Lens
The crystalline lens sits behind the iris in the eye. It is responsible for about half of the power of the eye to focus light into the eye on the retina.
The lens is also the structure which is responsible for adjusting for near focus when looking at something up close.
If the lens or the cornea are too strong or too weak, the eye will not focus properly on the retina and will require glasses or contacts to have clear vision.
What is a “Clear Lens Exchange”?
The procedure called a clear lens exchange is becoming more popular with people under the age of fifty.
The reason this procedure is referred to as a clear lens exchange is that these individuals do not have a cataract or a clouded lens which is requiring surgery for correction.
Instead, the lens is still clear and healthy, and the surgery is being done with the intent of reducing the need for glasses.
If there are cataracts present, the surgery will be performed based on the medical need for the cataracts to be removed.
What Prescriptions Can Have a Clear Lens Exchange?
Unlike LASIK and PRK, a clear lens exchange has very few restrictions on the type or amount of prescription which can be corrected.
Since the procedure involves replacing the lens with an artificial lens, the power of the artificial lens can be adjusted as needed for nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatism correction.
LASIK also requires an adequately thick cornea to perform, but a clear lens exchange does not have any special requirements.
What is the Recovery Process Like?
A clear lens exchange is the same surgical procedure as cataract surgery and the recovery process is the same.
For about one to two days, the eye may be red and sore. For about a week, the vision may fluctuate slightly and there are restrictions on lifting heavy objects and getting water in the eye.
About one month after the surgery, the eye should be fully healed, and no additional recovery is needed.
During the recovery process, there will be different eye drops to use to assist the eye to heal from the surgery.
Should You Have a Clear Lens Exchange
If you are interested in a clear lens exchange, talk with your ophthalmologist and discuss your options regarding refractive surgeries.
Your eye doctor may be able to direct you to the best option based on your prescription, the surgeries performed in the area, and the potential out of pocket cost of the surgery since insurance will not cover any of these procedures.
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