Refractive lens exchange (also called lens replacement surgery or clear lens extraction) has the potential to improve your vision significantly. It may reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses.

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Refractive lens exchange surgery is most suitable if you have both:

• a high degree of myopia – near objects are clear but distant objects appear blurred

• moderate hyperopia – near objects are blurred and distant objects also become blurred over time 

 

and, you also have:

• presbyopia – the gradual, age-related loss of the ability to focus on nearby objects.

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Refractive lens exchange surgery replaces your eye's clear natural lens with an artificial lens that corrects the focussing error and provides good distance vision. There are other lens surgery options for improving intermediate and near focus. The lenses are designed to last the rest of your life and isn’t affected by age-related eye changes.

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The procedure is very similar to cataract surgery. It is usually a day-surgery using local anaesthetic so there is no discomfort, and takes about 20 minutes.

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You will be unaware of the new lens, which is permanent and will not wear out. Recovery takes about a week, after which you should be able to return to work and other activities, including driving. Most people report an immediate improvement in their vision after surgery, although adjusting to the change may take a few weeks.