Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE);
Correct Your Eyesight Permanently,
for Both Far & Near

Dr. Ilan Cohen is the top NYC & NJ Refractive Lens Exchange surgeon. He has Helped Thousands of Patients Correct Their Vision in the New York tri-state area.

What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) Surgery?

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) is the only procedure that can correct both near and distance vision in both eyes permanently if you are older than 40.

Everyone needs glasses for reading sometime after 40. This happens even if you had perfect vision all your life or if you had LASIK. This condition is known as presbyopia. RLE is currently the only solution to this problem.

Reducing or eliminating the dependence on glasses or contact lenses is one of the main reasons why people opt for Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) surgery.

Age-related presbyopia often has us juggling two pairs of glasses. One for close or computer and one for distance vision.

Shopping, visiting a book shop or cooking while watching TV can turn into a “glasses-swapping” exercise. An annoying and impractical activity to say the least.

Refractive Lens Exchange surgery is a vision correction procedure that can solve this problem within 15 minutes and provide you with a lifetime of better vision for both – distance and near vision.

The procedure is similar to cataract surgery where a cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Dr. Cohen has more than 20 years of experience both in RLE and in cataract surgery. In his offices in New York and New Jersey, he has performed over 75,000 surgeries including more than 1000 physicians.

Dr. Ilan Cohen Has Performed Over 80,000 Vision Correction Procedures.

Dr. Cohen is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist and has devoted his career to fine-tuning and perfecting surgical techniques that can change your vision and your life. This is perhaps the reason that more than 1,000 physicians have chosen him for the correction of their own vision.

Weighing the Advantages & Risks of RLE. The Importance of a Thorough Screening Exam

Advantages of RLE Surgery

Only Refractive Lens Exchange surgery can correct presbyopia (reading difficulty over the age of 40) along with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism resulting in improved vision with better distance AND near vision. This could mean that you no longer need to rely on glasses or contact lenses.
As opposed to LASIK which removes tissue from the cornea, RLE does not weaken or interfere with the Cornea.
The corrective results for RLE are permanent.
Cataracts cannot happen after RLE. Everyone eventually gets cataract if you live long enough. RLE solves this problem permanently.
Although cost should not be the deciding factor, RLE is often more cost-effective than LASIK in the long term.

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Refractive Lens Exchange Results are Permanent!

Risks of RLE Surgery

The risks of RLE are very similar to the risks of cataract surgery. They include infection, the need for a second surgery, inflammation, and more. It is important to note that the RLE does not have the corneal risks associated with LASIK

Our internal studies of the complication rates with cataract surgery show that Dr. Cohen’s complication rates are 10 times lower than the national average. Perhaps this is the reason that more than a thousand doctors and eyecare providers have trusted their eyes to him.

The Crucial Role of a Thorough Screening Exam

During our comprehensive screening exam, we address all the above risk factors.

As opposed to most LASIK centers which often do a limited number of procedures, we take a more comprehensive approach that considers the patient’s well being first. Dr. Cohen is experienced in all possible vision correction modalities and tools and hence is in a better position to offer you what’s right for you.

The question we want to answer during the screening exam is “what is the optimal procedure that will provide you with the sharpest vision for the long term in the safest manner?”

Not every patient is a LASIK candidate.

When We Screen Our Patients, We Compare LASIK to RLE and Consider the Following Factors:

LASIK is often considered for younger patients who have mild to moderate refractive errors, while RLE can be a better option for patients with more severe vision problems or people over the age of 40.

LASIK and RLE are both surgical procedures which are carried out to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism

RLE is a procedure in which an artificial lens implant is placed in the eye to replace the natural lens.

The choice of surgery ultimately depends on the patient’s individual needs and screening results.

LASIK is a laser-based procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve vision.

Both procedures, although different, are safe and effective.

In terms of recovery, both procedures on average require a few days of recovery time.

Again, optimal results and our patient’s wellbeing guide our decision-making process.

What Happens During RLE Surgery?

RLE is a surgical procedure that replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

01The patient will receive local anaesthesia that numbs the eye so that the patient won’t feel any pain or discomfort.

02The surgeon will make a tiny incision in the cornea and remove the natural lens to replace it with an artificial lens.

03This procedure takes about 10 minutes and is followed by a recovery period during which the patient has to follow instructions that aid the healing process and prevent post-surgical issues.

04The artificial lens corrects the vision problems so that the patient will no longer depend on glasses or contact lenses.

What are the Differences Between Cataract
and RLE Surgery?

Refractive Lens Exchange surgery is very similar to cataract surgery. During the procedure, the eye’s natural lens is removed and exchanged with a lens implant.

Whereas in cataract surgery, we remove the lens because it is cloudy, in RLE, we remove the lens to fix the vision and eliminate the need for distance and near glasses.

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How is Refractive Lens Exchange Different from LASIK?

RLE and LASIK are both vision correction surgeries. LASIK, however, has some limitations that can be addressed better with Refractive Lens Exchange.

One limitation is that LASIK can provide only distance vision for people older than 45 and who are losing their near vision.

Refractive Lens Exchange, however, can correct both – near and far vision. And the results are permanent because the natural lens is removed, whereas with LASIK the risk of developing cataracts remains.

LASIK is a laser-based procedure that reshapes the cornea and thus improves vision. However, this is not the right solution for everyone. People with very high prescriptions are NOT candidates for LASIK but qualify for RLE.

RLE is a procedure in which a permanent lens implant is placed in the eye to replace the natural lens.

Both procedures are safe and effective and the choice of surgery ultimately depends on the patient’s individual needs and preferences.

After LASIK the vision can still change. And most patients that had LASIK will eventually need reading glasses. Also, they will certainly need cataract surgery at some point in the future. With RLE, there will never be a need for a cataract surgery and the vision is expected to remain stable for the long term.

LASIK is often preferred for patients who are younger and have mild to moderate refractive errors, while RLE is a better option for those with more severe vision problems or people over the age of 40.

How Do I Decide Which Surgery is Right for Me? LASIK or RLE?

“I am over 45 and want to get rid of my glasses. Should I have RLE or LASIK?”

This is a question that we get asked a lot. The decision depends on many factors. Your vision goals, for one for example.

During the screening exam, we explore your motivations, goals, and desired lifestyle.

We discuss whether you would be a good candidate for monovision, explore the state of your eyes’ natural lenses, and check whether you already have some early cataracts.

In that case, RLE would probably be the better option because you could avoid cataract surgery just a few years later.

And if you don’t mind wearing reading glasses, or if you are a good candidate for monovision, then LASIK might be the better choice.

What About LASIK with Monovision:

Monovision is a type of LASIK in which one eye is adjusted for distance and the other eye for near.

Although some people adapt well to monovision LASIK, many people don’t like to see near or distance only from one eye and have difficulty adapting to it.

Moreover, as the age progresses the near vision can keep getting worse and cataracts will eventually develop.

In our comprehensive screening exam we will explore all options including monovision. In addition, over the years, we have developed tests and simulations which will help you see the difference for yourself before the surgery so that you can make an informed decision.

For How Long will an RLE Vision Correction Last?

Once the natural lens in your eyes is replaced there is no limit to the age of the implant. It will most probably outlast a human life. There is no reason for the near vision to deteriorate. However, there are other diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma that could still develop and affect the eye. They will not, however, selectively affect the near vision.

Together, We Decide Which Solution is Best for You

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

If you are considering eye surgery to improve your vision, then contact our practice for more information and book a screening where we thoroughly examine your eyes and explore your vision goals.

And no matter which procedure you choose for more than 20 years, patients have entrusted their eyes to Dr. Cohen for RLE and other procedures.

Text us 1-(217) 860-6626

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE);
Correct Your Eyesight Permanently,
for Both Far & Near

Dr. Ilan Cohen is the top NYC & NJ Refractive Lens Exchange surgeon. He has Helped Thousands of Patients Correct Their Vision in the New York tri-state area.

What is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) Surgery?

Dr. Ilan Cohen Has Performed Over 80,000 Vision Correction Procedures.