Kansas City’s Leaders in Eye Care, Experts in LASIK and Refractive Lens Exchange  

What is a Refractive Lens Exchange?

As we age, so do our eyes.  This natural aging process is called presbyopia, and occurs as the lens in our eye loses its flexibility.  With the loss of flexibility, we also lose the ability to see or read things up close.  Generally, presbyopia occurs between the ages of 40 and 50.  As we grow older, even those who have had perfect vision in the past will suffer from this condition in the future.  Although presbyopia cannot be cured, there is an alternative to glasses and contacts.

At Discover Vision Centers, a Refractive Lens Exchange, known as Full Focus® Refractive, allows patients to reduce or possibly eliminate the need for contacts and glasses.  When your quality of vision starts to interfere with the things you enjoy, you should discuss this procedure with your doctor.

How is a Refractive Lens Exchange different from LASIK?

Unlike LASIK, which concentrates on correcting the shape of the cornea, a Refractive Lens Exchange replaces the natural lens of your eye with an advanced multifocal or accommodating intraocular lens (IOL).  The goal of a Refractive Lens Exchange is to achieve best-corrected vision and reduce the need for contacts and glasses.  An additional benefit to a Refractive Lens Exchange is that it is preventive; for those who have not yet developed cataracts, removing the eye’s natural lens prevents the chance of developing cataracts later in life.

During the Refractive Lens Exchange procedure at Discover Vision Centers, your doctor will make a small incision in the edge of the cornea.  A small probe is inserted through the incision to remove the natural lens and insert the IOL in its place.

If you would like more information about our Refractive Lens Exchange procedure, please call 816.478.1230 or click here to schedule an evaluation.