If you’re considering refractive lens exchange (RLE), you probably have questions about your long-term eye health — especially when it comes to cataracts. At Bochner Eye Institute in Toronto, ON, Medical Director Dr. Raymond Stein has more than three decades of experience helping people see better through life-changing vision correction.
RLE is one of the leading options — and it comes with unique benefits you might not expect.
One of the top questions we hear is, “Can I still get cataracts after RLE?” We’ve got good news: No, you can’t. Here’s why.
Why You Can't Get Cataracts After RLE
Cataracts develop when the proteins in the eye’s natural lens begin to break down and clump together, forming cloudy areas. This breakdown usually happens due to the normal aging process and oxidative stress, both of which disrupt the normal structure of lens proteins.
Over time, this cloudiness scatters light and impairs vision, so many people need cataract surgery to see clearly again.
In cataract surgery, Dr. Stein removes the cloudy eye lens and places an intraocular lens (IOL) in its place. RLE is a similar surgery: It involves replacing the natural eye lens. The main difference is that people with RLE don’t have cataracts or have only the earliest signs of cataracts.
Cataracts only form in the natural lens. Artificial lenses don’t develop cataracts, so RLE eliminates your risk of ever developing them. For people with early signs of lens changes or a strong family history of cataracts, this is a huge advantage.
More Reasons People Choose RLE
RLE isn’t just about preventing cataracts. It’s also a powerful way to reduce your dependence on glasses and contacts. This surgery may be ideal for people with a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
But it gets even better: Your custom-selected IOL can give you multiple prescriptions in one lens.
Presbyopia (loss of near focus) affects everyone as they age, usually starting after age 40. That’s why most people need reading glasses around that time. However, with RLE, your IOL can contain both your regular prescription and one for presbyopia. Many patients don’t need regular or reading glasses afterward (or only in limited circumstances.)
Presbyopia correction is something LASIK can’t do, and it’s a leading reason why many patients over 45 opt for RLE.
Lasting freedom from glasses and contacts is an exciting possibility for many patients who have spent their entire lives in glasses. With RLE, you’re not just correcting vision today — you’re investing in clear, cataract-free sight for the future.
Considering RLE in Toronto?
Ready to learn how RLE can help you? Call Bochner Eye Institute in Toronto to schedule your consultation with Dr. Raymond Stein.
