Raleigh-Durham Clear Lens Extraction/Exchange

Live glasses-free! Clear lens exchange, sometimes called refractive lens exchange, clear lens extraction or refractive lens replacement, is an excellent option for patients who are over 40 and would like to reduce their dependency on glasses or contacts due to the ability to use advanced lenses that correct near and distance vision.

Correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness & presbyopia

By replacing the natural eye lens with an IOL (intraocular lens implant), clear lens extraction corrects farsightedness, nearsightedness and presbyopia. For the treatment of presbyopia, Dr. Kelly chooses the latest high-tech intraocular lenses such as Crystalens®, Restor® and Tecnis® to provide patients with a more natural range of vision. Toric lenses are effective for patients with astigmatism.

Clear Lens Extraction procedure

The clear lens extraction procedure uses the same technique as routine cataract surgery; in both procedures, the natural lens is removed and replaced with an IOL implant. Beyond correcting presbyopia, an added benefit of refractive lens exchange is that by removing the natural lens, we eliminate the possibility of a patient developing cataracts in the future.

The best candidates for clear lens extraction are farsighted patients who began wearing glasses in their 40s for near vision, progressed to reading glasses and finally to wearing glasses for all ranges of vision. At Kelly Eye Center, we offer the following IOL implants to eligible Raleigh-Durham patients.

Crystalens®

While known for its use in cataract procedures, Crystalens® also effectively corrects presbyopia. Crystalens works most like your natural lens. As the first and only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens, this IOL uses the natural focusing ability of the eye to give patients a full range of clear vision.

At Kelly Eye Center, most of our Crystalens® patients experience 20/40 vision or better after their lens replacement surgery. Few patients with an implanted Crystalens® report seeing glare or halos, even at night.

Crystalens® patients are twice as likely to have good distance vision as compared to patients implanted with standard IOLs. Because Crystalens® functions like a natural eye lens, lighting conditions have very little impact on a patient’s quality of vision after undergoing the procedure. Learn more about Crystalens®.

Tecnis® lens implants

The Tecnis® multi-focal lens is designed to give patients sharp, clear vision under any light conditions and at any distance. After having their natural lens removed and this lens implanted, nearly 9 of 10 patients say goodbye to their glasses forever.

Immediately following lens replacement, Tecnis® patients may see rings around lights at night. As the eye adjusts over time, however, these rings may lessen or go away entirely. Learn more about Technis® lenses.

ReSTOR® lens implants

The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® lens implants are designed to improve vision at all distances. The first multi-focal intraocular lens implant of its kind, ReSTOR® lenses use apodized diffractive refractive technology to provide clear vision and a smooth transition between near, intermediate and distance vision.

80% of ReSTOR® vision correction patients report no need for glasses after the procedure, and studies have shown that ReSTOR® patients are able to read small type more quickly and easily than patients with other lens implants. Glares or halos may be a side effect, a possibility Dr. Kelly will discuss with you prior to treatment. Learn more about ReSTOR® lenses.

Schedule an evaluation today!

Experience life without glasses! Call today to schedule an evaluation at Kelly Eye Center. During your consultation, Dr. Kelly will determine whether a lens replacement could return your eyes to their optimal vision.

The Kelly Eye Center proudly serves Raleigh, Cary, Henderson, Knightdale, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Durham, Garner, Chapel Hill and Warrenton, NC