Lens exchange surgery is a procedure whereby the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant – very similar to cataract surgery. It is usually carried out before the natural lens affects visual acuity although often the quality of vision would have already started to be affected before the lens becomes naturally hard or cloudy developing into a cataract. It is usually carried out in preference to laser vision correction or phakic lenses (implantable contact lens) in individuals over the age of 45 or 50 as the lens exchange option often gives a better range of visual focusing including distance and near vision reducing dependence on spectacles.
There is a choice of lens implants as described on the lens implants choices page on this website. The suitability for surgery and choice of lenses are discussed with the surgeon at the time of consultation and assessment. Each treatment is individualised and success rates are very high. We carry out a full assessment to determine suitability including the health of the eyes, appropriate measurements and assessment directly with Mr Kheterpal. Often it may be determined that surgery is best avoided and continue issuing glasses or contact lenses advised. Laser surgery and phakic lens implants are another choice which can be utilised and if lens exchange surgery is carried out then we go through in detail the relative merits and downsides of each particular procedure.
Lens exchange surgery or clear lens exchange is also known by a number of terms according to branding and history including CLE, PreLex and Clarivu.