Clear Lens Exchange

Clear Lens Exchange

Laser vision correction is not always the best treatment option for patients who are severely farsighted (meaning they have trouble seeing clearly up-close). In a similar circumstance, some people in their 40s and 50s come into our office complaining that their near vision is getting worse and they are worried that they are becoming farsighted. In reality, most of these latter patients are experiencing the signs of presbyopia. 

Surprisingly, these are two different vision conditions that can both be corrected by the same procedure: Clear Lens Exchange (CLE). This process involves removing the natural eye lens and replacing it with an artificial Intraocular Lens (IOL) that is designed specifically to help you achieve the clear vision you want.

Replacement Lens Options

After a comprehensive evaluation, our team can recommend the right type of IOL to meet your vision requirements:

• Multifocal IOL: With multiple focusing points to allow for distance and up-close vision, these lenses can address the symptoms of presbyopia (the need for reading glasses to see things up close). These lenses focus light from different distances simultaneously to allow for clear vision at all distances. As a result, multifocal Lifestyle Lenses can reduce or completely eliminate your need for reading glasses or bifocals after cataract surgery.
• Trifocal IOL: The PanOptix® Trifocal IOL is the only FDA-approved trifocal lens that offers a full range of vision. PanOptix is clinically shown to deliver an exceptional combination of near, intermediate and distance vision while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery. Most patients who choose this lens are able to read text messages on their smart phones, work on a computer and even drive without the need for glasses. This is due, in part, to ENLIGHTEN® Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision.
• Extended Depth of Focus IOL: The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ is the first and only nondiffractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens (IOL) that incorporates X-WAVE™ technology to stretch and shift light entering your eyes so you can obtain a continuous, extended range of vision. With the Vivity lens, you may not need glasses (even readers) to see clearly at all distances after cataract surgery. Vivity’s new non-diffractive technology may also provide:
• Sharper vision in bright and dim lighting
• Reduction of halos, starbursts or glare
• Better vision for nighttime driving
• Protection from damaging UV rays and blue light
• Toric IOL: Many lenses also come in a Toric version which is designed to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery. The bottom line is that Lifestyle Lenses can reduce or completely eliminate your need for reading glasses or bifocals after cataract surgery in Bourbonnais, IL.

CLE is very similar to cataract surgery – but you do not have to have cataracts to experience the benefits. In fact, you will even be spared the experience of developing cataracts in the future! 

Clear Lens Exchange Recovery

Plan to allow yourself a week to recover from CLE, but most return to work the day following surgery. Your final vision results may take a bit longer to achieve as your vision stabilizes. Your new lens will not be noticeable to other people and you won’t even know it is there – you’ll just be reminded of how great life can be without lenses. 

Difference Between Farsightedness & Poor Reading Vision

• True farsightedness (hyperopia) is the result of the eye being shorter or having a flatter cornea so light entering the eye focuses behind the retina. This causes blurry vision for reading and performing other up-close tasks. 
• Presbyopia is the term for how the eye lenses begin to age after age 40. With each passing year, the eye lenses become a little less flexible and a little more rigid. This makes it more difficult for the lenses to flex enough to focus on things like text messages, restaurant menus, medicine bottles and more – especially in low light. 

Traditional prescription glasses and contact lenses can help farsightedness; reading glasses and bifocals can improve presbyopia. However, the daily hassles of maintaining and keeping track of lenses cause many people to look for treatment options. 

To find out if Clear Lens Exchange in Bourbonnais, IL, is right for you, contact us today to schedule a free Vision Correction Screening.