U Education

Many patients have been told that they are not suitable candidates for common laser eye surgery procedures – from LASIK to ICL to PRK. If you have been told you are not a candidate, don’t lose hope. Clear lens exchange is the ideal refractive lens exchange surgery option for those with high myopia or hyperopia that are not candidates for traditional laser eye surgery.

What is Clear Lens Exchange Surgery?

This viable option was created for patients that are not candidates for traditional refractive procedures or for those that wish to avoid visual consequences of presbyopia. This procedure corrects refractive errors and offers efficient, clear results. Similar to cataract surgery, this procedure offers numerous benefits including:

• Fast recovery times
• Excellent predictability and reliability
• High quality of vision post-surgery
• May be a better procedure for those over 40 when compared to LASIK
• Similar to cataract surgery, and safe

This procedure helps reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses. It is similar to cataract surgery where the natural lens is replacedby an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). When complete, you have permanent vision correction for sharper focus and you may even eliminate your need for reading glasses, as well the added bonus of never developing cataracts with age.  You also have the option to perform this procedure with UltraViewReLACS (refractive laser assisted cataract surgery) technique – as opposed to the traditional manual method.

Am I a Candidate for Clear Lens Exchange?

The best way to tell if you are a candidate is to visit a UELC surgeon for a consultation. You may be a candidate if:

• You are over the age of 40 and wish to correct your vision.
• You suffer from presbyopia – an inability to maintain clear images as they are moved closer to your eyes.
• You suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness and wish to eliminate contact lenses or glasses.
• You have been told that you are not a candidate for traditional laser eye surgery procedures, such as LASIK.

A UELC surgeon will assess your candidacy during a consultation. Depending on your existing level of nearsightedness, farsightedness or presbyopia, you may only see a reduction in the prescription strength of glasses that you need, or you may have permanently corrected vision. A UELC surgeon can discuss the risks and share realistic outcomes based on your current vision.

While not completely covered by all insurance plans, clear lens exchange is by far the best option for those that wish to correct their vision and cannot do so with regular corneal-based laser surgery.

Schedule a consultation with a UELC laser eye surgeon today regarding clear lens exchange. To make sure you are a candidate, call us at 416-653-8352.