Experiences of RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange)
Discussion
First off, I'm not an optician, but I do have very bad eyes. 
Do you mean RLE or phakic IOL? RLE is where they take out the existing one and put in a new lens; it's basically the cataract operation, one of the most common operations carried out in the world, and is extremely safe.
Phakic IOLs (where a new lens is put into the eye in front of the old one) is newer technology, and any possible side effects aren't quite so apparent. Crucially it is reversible though, which may be an issue with multifocal lenses.
I'm going to guess from wanting multifocal lenses that you've worn glasses all your life but are suffering from presbyopia as you get older? I would give some thought to a monofocal solution and reading glasses instead; yes it means you will still have glasses for close work, but you won't need them for most things.
Do you mean RLE or phakic IOL? RLE is where they take out the existing one and put in a new lens; it's basically the cataract operation, one of the most common operations carried out in the world, and is extremely safe.
Phakic IOLs (where a new lens is put into the eye in front of the old one) is newer technology, and any possible side effects aren't quite so apparent. Crucially it is reversible though, which may be an issue with multifocal lenses.
I'm going to guess from wanting multifocal lenses that you've worn glasses all your life but are suffering from presbyopia as you get older? I would give some thought to a monofocal solution and reading glasses instead; yes it means you will still have glasses for close work, but you won't need them for most things.
full RLE - remove the lens and replace with Toric multifical lens - each eye a different power, one eye for long and mid distance (computer work) the other eye for long distance and reading prescription.
I'm not suitable for Laser, but to be honest the RLE appears to be better anyway as it also means no deterioration of reading ability that you get with Laser correction.
I know lots of people swear by Laser, but although single focal RLE is as you say common, it is to stop bindness, so any result is better than being blind, but I was wondering what peoples experience is with it for eyesight correction.
I'm at the age now where I need vari focals and have found using a computer a pain in the neck (literally) lifting my head to look thru the bottom half of my glasses. Plus, cos of my prescription I choose to have the ultra ultra thin lenses which are weighing in at around £500 a pair for glasses then sunglasses on top of that(but don't go varifocal and I have the medium thickness lenses. Means the thick end of £6-700 every few years.
I'm not suitable for Laser, but to be honest the RLE appears to be better anyway as it also means no deterioration of reading ability that you get with Laser correction.
I know lots of people swear by Laser, but although single focal RLE is as you say common, it is to stop bindness, so any result is better than being blind, but I was wondering what peoples experience is with it for eyesight correction.
I'm at the age now where I need vari focals and have found using a computer a pain in the neck (literally) lifting my head to look thru the bottom half of my glasses. Plus, cos of my prescription I choose to have the ultra ultra thin lenses which are weighing in at around £500 a pair for glasses then sunglasses on top of that(but don't go varifocal and I have the medium thickness lenses. Means the thick end of £6-700 every few years.
I've had LASIK 12 years ago.
A couple of years ago I noticed my eyesight creeping back to long sightedness so went to see the doc again to see what was causing it and what could be done.
For reasons unknown my lenses are changing their refractive index, getting less effective, hence my eyesight shifting. This isn't presbyopia, the doc wasn't sure what it is, personally I suspect it's a strange side effect of long term prescription pain killer usage. (due to an old motorbike accident)
I'm back to wearing glasses now, a second dose of LASIK is out of the question as my eyes are still changing.
The option I was given was CLR - Clear Lens Replacement, which is the same thing as you're thinking of.
I read up about it and saw that the options for the replacement lenses were mono focal or multi focal. Not something I was interested in.
Then I found out about accommodating IOLs, which work with the eyes own muscles to shift the lens back and forth within the eye to reproduce a continual focus range. I believe the range of focus isn't as great as the natural lens, but they've been bringing out better versions, so it may be as good as now.
They're about 10 or a bit more years old now, the company that made them have been bought by Bausche & Lomb, search for Crystalens.
As it's still relatively new I've decided to stick with glasses for as long as I can to let the technology mature and improve, and will probably go for them in another 5 or so years time.
Might be sooner if the doctor at Moorfields is happy to recommend them.
A couple of years ago I noticed my eyesight creeping back to long sightedness so went to see the doc again to see what was causing it and what could be done.
For reasons unknown my lenses are changing their refractive index, getting less effective, hence my eyesight shifting. This isn't presbyopia, the doc wasn't sure what it is, personally I suspect it's a strange side effect of long term prescription pain killer usage. (due to an old motorbike accident)
I'm back to wearing glasses now, a second dose of LASIK is out of the question as my eyes are still changing.
The option I was given was CLR - Clear Lens Replacement, which is the same thing as you're thinking of.
I read up about it and saw that the options for the replacement lenses were mono focal or multi focal. Not something I was interested in.
Then I found out about accommodating IOLs, which work with the eyes own muscles to shift the lens back and forth within the eye to reproduce a continual focus range. I believe the range of focus isn't as great as the natural lens, but they've been bringing out better versions, so it may be as good as now.
They're about 10 or a bit more years old now, the company that made them have been bought by Bausche & Lomb, search for Crystalens.
As it's still relatively new I've decided to stick with glasses for as long as I can to let the technology mature and improve, and will probably go for them in another 5 or so years time.
Might be sooner if the doctor at Moorfields is happy to recommend them.
sparkyhx said:
anyone?
Hi, yes it's a good option for some people but like everything make sure the right person does it. With regards to mono vision, ensure you have a trial of contact lenses with differing prescriptions to ensure you will cope with the difference in the 2 eyes. If you let me know where you are, I may be able to recommend someone.968 said:
sparkyhx said:
anyone?
Hi, yes it's a good option for some people but like everything make sure the right person does it. With regards to mono vision, ensure you have a trial of contact lenses with differing prescriptions to ensure you will cope with the difference in the 2 eyes. If you let me know where you are, I may be able to recommend someone.I'm going thru Leeds optimax, but surgery is being done in Huddersfield. booked in for 21st and 28th Nov
sparkyhx said:
Surgeon decided that This was not the best option and has recommended 'same' prescription for both eyes, around the mid distance as I use computers all day.
I'm going thru Leeds optimax, but surgery is being done in Huddersfield. booked in for 21st and 28th Nov
I really wouldn't choose them, personally. Email me for recommendations.I'm going thru Leeds optimax, but surgery is being done in Huddersfield. booked in for 21st and 28th Nov
968 said:
sparkyhx said:
Surgeon decided that This was not the best option and has recommended 'same' prescription for both eyes, around the mid distance as I use computers all day.
I'm going thru Leeds optimax, but surgery is being done in Huddersfield. booked in for 21st and 28th Nov
I really wouldn't choose them, personally. Email me for recommendations.I'm going thru Leeds optimax, but surgery is being done in Huddersfield. booked in for 21st and 28th Nov
Optimax are the facilitators - surgery is nothing to do with them, its in a private hospital with a 'cateract' surgeon
I had cataracts in both eyes back in 2000. 1 eye was worse than the other and needed doing, the other could have waited. My sight at the time was about -7 in both eyes. The surgeon (privately) was going to do one eye and match it to the other, then do the other when it had deteriorated further, as it didn't NEED doing at the time, but after discussion he agreed to do both eyes separately at about 4 week interval to correct the vision. I now have 2 eyes, each about -1.5, which means I can see without glasses fine. I use them for driving and TV, an drevel in my glasses free existence!!
I'd be dubious about having them both done simultaneously - the surgeon was specific he wouldn't do that due to infection risk I think, and it wasn't too much hassle having a non matched period.
I should use reading glasses and did initially but don't now, the only thing I can't do is eat with glasses on - don't ask why - I don't know - it's just not comfortable!!
I'd be dubious about having them both done simultaneously - the surgeon was specific he wouldn't do that due to infection risk I think, and it wasn't too much hassle having a non matched period.
I should use reading glasses and did initially but don't now, the only thing I can't do is eat with glasses on - don't ask why - I don't know - it's just not comfortable!!
sparkyhx said:
They are being done a week apart not together
Balasubramaniam Ilango - he appears to do them for all the 'laser' companies
Hi did you get the surgery? Im booked in for RLE with the same doctor in a few weeks and looking for any information on him and the surgery to know what happened after thanks xBalasubramaniam Ilango - he appears to do them for all the 'laser' companies
Rachy1689 said:
sparkyhx said:
They are being done a week apart not together
Balasubramaniam Ilango - he appears to do them for all the 'laser' companies
Hi did you get the surgery? Im booked in for RLE with the same doctor in a few weeks and looking for any information on him and the surgery to know what happened after thanks xBalasubramaniam Ilango - he appears to do them for all the 'laser' companies
You might want a read of this site as well:
https://opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk/index.php
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