Refractive Lens Exchange

[Dukej2010]

I am 30 years old and my eye doctor has recommended RLE. I am extremely far sighted with astigmatism. Currently I wear gas permeable contacts corrected to 20/40. Just taking a driving eye test is extremely stressful. Multifocal lens for RLE are not made strong enough for my prescription and monofocal lens ( which he has recommended) he says go up to a 36. I would be a 36 in the left eye and a 37 in the right eye... So I would need touch up with lisik in the right eye for sure.

I live an active life style and are curious how much I will have to rely on reading glasses. Will I be able to read the speedometer on the dash of my car without glasses? Would I be able to catch a baseball? I am just a little unsure of the outcome...or should I be happy and thankful for being able to focus near and somewhat far with contacts?

Does anyone know about how much it should cost?

Thank you soooo much for any response

[Woodvillewomble]

I don't think it fair to compare an artificial lens to the creation of an eye. Nowhere will you find it stated that the modern IOL's are as good as a perfectly functioning accommodating natural lens. However, for those of us whose sight is/was compromised these lenses offer an excellent degree of regained sight. My diary herehttp://www.medhelp.org/posts/Eye-Care/A-diary-of-a-Finevion-IOL-implant-/show/2079860 shows my journey, which fortunately turned out beyond my expectations. Your experience, whilst unsuccessful, does not mean this procedure is unsuitable for everyone. All patients are made aware of the risks and possible failures, but many seem to ignore this part assuming 'it always happens to someone else' Most studies and indeed manufacturers state that multifocal lenses are possibly unsuitable for pilots. In the UK we have far more advanced lenses than in the US. Even Z-Lasik has its risks, as does any medical procedure.

[hansaplast]

Watch on youtube., eyeball disection, you will realize that human natural lense its alive and accomodate everything you want to see,its too precious in our life, now im regretfull, can't turn back the time

[hansaplast]

Please dont do RLE , its terrible sight with IOL even premium IOL promise 3 focus point of vision (multi trifocal iol), god made its too perfect, and no scientist in this world make the same of human natural lens, im 24years old have cataract and my job is student pilot, im so stressfull with this vision, terrible at night, cant focus what i want too see, only far vision can focus, dont that duke, except Z-LASIK its much safer way to correct your vision

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I would stay with the contact lenses.  You will not have accommodation with a RLE with mono focal IOLs.  Technology will continue to improve.

Dr. O.

[Dukej2010]

Thank you.
I think the best I have been corrected in the right eye to 20/30. In the left  20/50. I am about a +9.5 in one eye and +10 in the other. My doc did tell me I would definitely need glasses for close up, but I wasn't totally clear about how bad or blurry the vision would be closer. I understand it may differ for each person and have read that some could read the speedometer (just not perfectly clear) while others found reading nonexistent. I thought I would ask on this forum because doctors have constant experience with this. He did, however, say that the abilities of distant vision would "rock my world". So, because this is a procedure not to be undone... I am having a few lingering questions. I have wore contacts and glasses since the age of 6. I see the best from gas permeable, but they can be very uncomfortable with an outdoor life style. What do you think?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Why are you only correctable to 20/40?  A RLE may not be able to improve your vision over the contact lenses.  You should discuss your other questions with your doctor.  You will loose accommodation and many people set for distance have decrease in intermediate vision.

Dr. O.