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What Is RLE? 

RLE stands for refractive lens exchange. The surgery involves replacing your natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It’s done to remove cataracts and improve your vision. When the lens of your eye is healthy and clear, you can see through it easily. When you have cataracts, this lens becomes cloudy.

Many patients liken it to trying to see through a foggy window. Without cataract treatment, your vision will continue to worsen, eventually resulting in blindness. At Beach Cities Laser Vision, cataract surgery in Long Beach & Torrance is a safe procedure that we perform often. 

is a safe procedure that we perform often. In just 15 to 30 minutes, we can halt your vision loss and help you see sharply again. Once the IOL is in place, it works just like your natural lens, bending light as it enters the eye and helping it focus on the retina so you can see objects clearly. 

What Are The Benefits of RLE?

When exploring vision correction options, it’s important to understand the benefits of each. RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) is ideal for some individuals:

A Quick and Comfortable Procedure

Your RLE cataract surgery in the Long Beach & Torrance area with Dr. Liu will take just 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Dr. Liu will administer special drops to numb your eyes ahead of time, so you should be comfortable throughout the procedure. 

Prevents Future Cataracts

Unlike your natural lens, your IOL won’t continue to age and deteriorate throughout life. It will remain clear and healthy, so you won’t develop new cataracts or experience a further decline in your vision. 

Clear Vision

The refractive lens exchange procedure completely replaces your cloudy lens with an artificial one. As such, it restores your clear vision and should reduce your dependence on glasses and contacts moving forward. It can also reduce glare and improve night vision. 

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Understanding Aging Changes in Your Eyes

The journey of vision changes as we age often starts with presbyopia, typically noticed in your 40s, and progresses to cataracts later in life. These changes are natural but can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated.

Presbyopia: The First Sign of Aging Vision

Presbyopia or Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome occurs when the natural lens of the eye loses flexibility, reducing the ability to focus on nearby objects.

  • Symptoms:
    • Difficulty reading small text without holding it farther away
      Eye strain during close-up activities like reading or working on a computer
    • Headaches after prolonged near work
  • Solutions:
    • Reading glasses or multifocal contact lenses
    • Advanced surgical solutions such as Laser Vision Correction (SMILE or LASIK) with Blended Vision or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), which replaces the aging natural lens with an advanced artificial lens.

Cataracts: A Common Condition in Aging Eyes

Cataracts develop when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, leading to vision problems that worsen over time.

  • Symptoms:
    • Blurry or dimmed vision
    • Increased glare, especially at night
    • Faded or yellowed colors
    • Difficulty with low-light activities

If cataracts begin to interfere with your daily life, surgical treatment is a highly effective solution. If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts but are still confused about your options or associated costs, call us to schedule a complimentary screening and one-on-one time with the surgeon. We do not take insurance so are not controlled by their arbitrary rules nor pressured to see a high volume of patients.

Cataract Videos

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What Is Lens Replacement/Cataract Surgery?

Lens Replacement/RLE/Cataract surgery is a safe, advanced procedure that replaces the cloudy natural lens with a clear artificial lens, restoring vision. At Beach Cities Laser | Vision, we specialize in premium cataract surgery in Long Beach, tailored to your unique needs and vision goals. The options are confusing with multiple names for the same thing due to marketing efforts by different clinics and manufacturing companies. If the information on this site is still confusing, the best option is to come in for a screening and to discuss your goals so we can give you the best action plan to move forward, whether that is with us or through your insurance provider.

Types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Available

  • Monofocal IOLs: Clear vision at one distance, often requiring glasses for near work, does not correct for astigmatism. Often also referred to as ‘standard lens’ or ‘insurance covered lens’. 
  • Toric IOLs: Correct astigmatism and improve overall visual clarity, only one focus distance.
  • Multifocal IOLs: Functional vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses with many patients being able to be free completely of glasses. Often also referred to as ‘upgraded lens’ or ‘Premium’ or ‘Advanced Technology’ or ‘Extended depth of focus (EDOF)’
  • Light adjustable IOLs: The only lens that can be adjusted after the healing period, a special type of ‘monofocal’
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How is RLE Surgery Performed?

Before your RLE cataract surgery in Long Beach or Torrance, Dr. Liu will administer drops to numb your eyes. Once the drops have taken effect, she will make a small incision in your eye where the sclera and cornea meet.

She will then remove your natural lens and insert your new IOL. This incision is so tiny that it doesn’t require stitches. Once the IOL is in place, she will protect your eye with a shield. 

After surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home and to your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Liu. As you heal, you will likely experience blurry vision for a short period. This is normal and will clear up very quickly. Most people can resume their normal daily routine in a few days. However, you may need to wait longer to swim and exercise. Dr. Liu will give you a personalized recovery timeline during your post-surgery appointments. 

Why Choose Beach Cities Laser | Vision for Cataract Surgery in Long Beach?

At Beach Cities Laser | Vision, we offer a cash-pay model that allows us to focus on delivering the highest quality care without the restrictions of insurance. Here's why this benefits you:

  • Transparent Pricing: Know exactly what you’re paying for, with no hidden fees. Even with insurance, it is common to still have significant out of pocket costs on average $2500-$7000 each eye depending on the ‘package’ you choose
  • Customized Care Plans: Every patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
  • More Face Time with Your Surgeon: Dr. Erica Liu is committed to understanding your goals and ensuring the best outcomes.
  • Ease of Scheduling: Flexible appointment times without insurance delays.
  • Streamlined Medications: Simplified regimens to enhance your comfort and recovery.
  • Comprehensive Post-Op Care: Includes corrective measures for residual prescription and glasses, if necessary.

Your IOL Options

When it comes to selecting an IOL for your RLE surgery, you have two primary options: monofocal and multifocal. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, and Dr. Liu can help you determine which one is best for you. 

Monofocal

Monofocal IOLs have one fixed focal point, which means they can improve your vision at one distance only. For example, if your lens can help you see clearly at far distances, you will likely still need glasses when you’re reading. 

Monofocal IOLs are great for many patients because they deliver predictable results and are a cost-effective option. The main drawbacks are that you can’t correct for varying distances without glasses and may experience limited depth perception. 

Multifocal

Multifocal IOLs can correct your vision at near, far, and intermediate distances. They are designed with concentric rings that help your eyes focus on light at multiple points at the same time. This makes them a flexible and appealing option for many patients, as they allow for complete (or nearly complete) freedom from glasses.

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Is RLE Right for You? 

Before we can determine if RLE is right for you, Dr. Liu will need to examine your eyes and evaluate your cataracts. In general, you’ll be a candidate as long as you are over 40 and don’t have:

  • An eye disease that affects your cornea
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Conditions that put you at a higher risk for retinal detachment
  • Any other serious eye conditions  

The Benefits of RLE/Cataract Surgery at Our Clinic

  • Enhanced Recovery: Many patients experience reduced recovery times thanks to the option of performing surgery on both eyes at the same time, if safe. 
  • Lifestyle-Focused Results: With premium IOLs, you can enjoy reduced dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
  • State-of-the-Art Technology: We utilize cutting-edge diagnostic tools to ensure precision and safety.

Your Journey to Clear Vision

  1. Initial Consultation: Meet with Dr. Liu to discuss your vision concerns and evaluate your candidacy for cataract surgery.
  2. Customized Surgery Plan: Select the best IOL option for your lifestyle and visual goals.
  3. Seamless Recovery: Experience quick recovery times and ongoing support during follow-up care.

RLE FAQ

What is RLE eye surgery?

Who is a good candidate for RLE?

How does RLE differ from cataract surgery?

What is the recovery time for RLE?

Are there any risks or side effects with RLE?

What is RLE eye surgery?

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) is a vision correction procedure where the eye's natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It is often used to treat presbyopia and severe farsightedness, and it can prevent cataracts from developing in the future.

Who is a good candidate for RLE?

RLE is ideal for individuals over 40 who have presbyopia, extreme farsightedness, or are not suitable candidates for LASIK or other laser procedures. It is also beneficial for those wanting to eliminate their need for reading glasses or bifocals.

How does RLE differ from cataract surgery?

While RLE and cataract surgery are similar in that both replace the eye’s natural lens with an artificial one, RLE is performed to correct refractive errors and improve vision before cataracts develop, whereas cataract surgery is done to remove a cloudy lens caused by cataracts.

What is the recovery time for RLE?

Recovery from RLE is relatively quick. Most patients experience improved vision within a few days, though it may take a few weeks for full visual stabilization. Regular activities can usually be resumed within a week.

Are there any risks or side effects with RLE?

RLE is generally safe, but potential risks include infection, lens dislocation, retinal detachment, or glare and halos around lights. As with any surgery, it's important to discuss the risks with your surgeon before proceeding.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re ready to plan your cataract treatment with Dr. Liu, please call our Long Beach and Torrance offices today and schedule an appointment. 

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