Does refractive lens exchange surgery carry any risk of complications?

Refractive Lens Exchange (also known as PreLex®, Clear Lens Exchange, et al.) is a primarily Refractive Surgical procedure that can reduce or eliminate Presbyopia, Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism. Quite similar to a cataract operation, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced by a synthetic, clear and soft plastic intraocular Lens Implant (IOL). Through meticulous biometric testing and complex optical formulas, the new lens (the IOL) is selected to provide clear, unaided vision at both distance and near with minimal to no need for glasses.

There are always risks to any surgical procedure no matter how good the surgeon and how dependable the patient. There are two "baskets" of risk in PreLex®:

1) The inherent risks of intraocular surgery (very similar to cataract surgery). These include infection, hemorrhage, and exaggerated inflammatory reactions. While quite unlikely, they could in a worst case scenario leave you worse off than before and not be fixable. This is a good reason to only have one eye done at a time.

2)The specialized, undesirable optical side-effects of the IOL itself. These include glare, increased sensitivity to light, halos around lights at night, and other quite subtle optical aberrations that can be difficult to fully appreciate in advance. You should understand that no IOL, no matter how technologically advanced, can perform as well as the natural lens in a young eye.

Despite the above, many patients are overwhelmed at the improvement in their vision and very happy to have had it done.

_Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic

Curious to know if you're a candidate for PreLex® ? You can take our self evaluation test here.