Refractive Lens Exchange For Laser Eye Surgery Patients

LASIK patients 50+

Presbyopia is the term for the difficulties we experience with close focus, and it happens gradually from the age of 45 years old. It is a natural ageing process which happens to everyone and is due to the thickening and stiffening of the natural lens in the eye. This means that it can’t adjust focus to close targets as accurately or easily as before and results in blurry near vision, which is corrected with reading glasses.

 

What if I have had LASER EYE SURGERY.

You may have had Laser Refractive Surgery in the past (PRK, LASIK, LASEK) to correct your underlying short- or long-sighted prescription. Laser surgery changes the shape of the cornea, the window of the front of the eye, to focus light accurately on the retina. However, as you age, the lens in the eye becomes stiff and thicker, and you may experience better close vision with reading glasses.

 

Can I have REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE if I have had LASER EYE SURGERY?

For all suitable candidates for RLE there are 3 main options.

• Multifocal implants
• Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF)
• Monofocal or EDOF Monovision (where one eye is used for reading and the other for distance).

If you have had Laser refractive surgery in the past, you are not an ideal candidate for Multifocal implants, but many people are suitable for Extended depth of focus lenses or Monofocal monovision if this has worked for them in the past, e.g. in contact lenses. Depth of Focus lenses can also be used in the same way as monovision, with one eye more biased for distance and the other for closer tasks. Your consultant can discuss your suitability for this type of solution.

I have had LASER refractive surgery and now I have cataracts.

As we age, most of us develop some haziness and discolouration of the natural lens in the eye. This lens is positioned just behind the pupil, and the purpose is to focus light onto the retina. If the lens becomes cloudy, then the focus becomes less clear, too. When this affects our quality of life, we refer to this as cataract.

If you have had Laser refractive surgery in the past, it does not prevent you from developing a cataract later on in life. The average age of onset for cataract is between 60 and 75 years of age.

 

Can I have my cataracts removed if I have had LASIK?

You can have your cataracts removed if you have had laser refractive surgery in the past. Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the UK. When your cataract is removed, the natural lens of the eye has to be replaced with an artificial implant lens to give you clear vision.

 

Do I have a choice of implant lens for cataract surgery when I have had LASIK?

If you are having cataract surgery after LASIK, you have a choice of implant lens.

Monofocal lenses for distance – which will require you to have reading glasses for ALL near tasks.

Monofocal monovision – where this has been successful in the past for some people in their contact lenses, monovision uses a Monofocal lens in one eye for distance and in the other for close up.

Extended Depth of Focus lenses – these implant lenses offer suitable candidates clear vision from far distance to computer distance and sometimes closer. For very small print or working close up, some reading prescription is often helpful.

Your consultant will explain the options that are particularly suited to your eyes at the time of your initial visit. Extended Depth of Focus lenses can also be used in the same way as monovision, with one eye more biased for distance and the other for closer tasks. Your consultant can discuss your suitability for this type of solution.

 

Do I need an eye test before I see the specialist?

For all patients, we recommend that you have regular eye examinations with your optometrist every two years at least to keep your eyes as healthy as possible. If you have the results of your last eye examination, it is helpful to bring these to your appointment with us.