Are You a Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive Lens Exchange, also called ReLex, is a procedure used to replace the lenses of the eyes with artificial lenses to correct a variety of refractive errors. Refractive errors are vision problems caused by issues with the shape of the eye or cornea, which affects how light enters the retina, leading to blurry vision. By replacing the eye's lens with an artificial lens, the shape of the eye can be corrected, allowing light to properly enter the eye and improving the eye's ability to focus without the need for eyeglasses.
Many people with refractive errors make excellent candidates for Refractive Lens Exchange. Dr. William S. Goldstein determines which patients make suitable Refractive Lens Exchange candidates during consultations at our Detroit, MI area practice. If you have any of the following refractive errors, you may be an ideal candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange. To find out if you're a candidate, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the ability of the eyes to focus on objects that are nearby. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process caused by the hardening of the eye's lens. One of the first signs of presbyopia is difficulty reading at close range. Most people with presbyopia will begin to notice vision problems as early as their early or mid-40s. Those with presbyopia, especially those who would like to avoid the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses, may be suitable candidates for refractive lens exchange.
Myopia
Myopia, commonly called “nearsightedness,” is a vision problem in which a person can see near objects but require corrective lenses to see far away. Myopia occurs as a result of the eye itself being too long or the cornea being too curved. Both issues cause light to focus at the front of the retina instead of on the retina, resulting in blurry vision. Those with myopia, even those whose myopia cannot be corrected by other eye surgeries, such as LASIK, may benefit from Refractive Lens Exchange.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia is more commonly known as “farsightedness.” Those who have hyperopia can see things that are far away but near objects are blurry. Hyperopia is a result of the cornea being too flat or the eyes being too short. This causes light to focus behind the retina instead of on it. As with myopia, those with hyperopia too severe for correction with LASIK or other treatments may be suitable candidates for Refractive Lens Exchange.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition in which the shape of the eye is not completely round. For some people, this means the eye is more of an oblong shape, like a football. This causes light to bend in multiple directions instead of one, which can cause distant objects to look blurry. Those with astigmatism are often ideal candidates for Refractive Lens Exchange.
Are You a Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?
To find out if you're a candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange, or for more information about other vision correction treatments, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Goldstein.
