Why RLE over LVC?
Most Patients have heard of Laser Vision Correction, but few have heard of Refractive Lens Exchange. When Patients think about having corrective treatment, Laser is what immediately comes to mind. Laser is an excellent treatment to free some Patients from glasses and contact lenses, but it isn’t the best treatment for everyone.
Laser Vision Correction works by reshaping the front surface of the eye, the cornea, to correct the focal point that the light falls on the back of the eye. This is an excellent treatment for patients aged between 21 and 40 who are short-sighted (myopic) or have low level longsightedness (hyperopic). Contrary to popular belief, astigmatism doesn’t exclude a patient from being suitable.
When the eye is young, and everything is working like it should, the natural lens that’s in behind the iris (the coloured part) is flexible and able to focus on all distances. This is called accommodation. Around the age of 40, this lens begins to lose its flexibility and the ability to focus up close starts to become harder. This is called presbyopia. Presbyopia is progressive, and as the eye continues to age, the more difficult near tasks like reading, cooking, and working on a computer become. Eventually, glasses will be needed to help see everything within arm’s reach clearly.
Once the lens has started to go through these changes, Laser Vision Correction usually isn’t the best treatment type anymore. If a Presbyopic Patient were to have Laser, they would still need to wear glasses for near tasks after treatment. This is, in almost all cases, not ideal for a Patient looking to gain freedom away from spectacles. Refractive Lens Exchange has the capability to correct reading and distance prescriptions simultaneously. It is a quick, painless procedure which involves the removal of the natural lens that isn’t functioning like it used to, and replacing it with a premium, state of the art synthetic one. There are many lenses available, and the technology is ever advancing. The most sought-after lenses are Trifocal, which correct distance, intermediate and near vision, ensuring the Patient is functionally day to day glasses free. The lens choice is made through discussion between you and your Consultant; and is based on your lifestyle demands and unique eye measurements to give the best vision possible.
To find out more, please contact Vision Scotland today!
