Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also known as clear lens exchange (CLE), is a vision correction surgery that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. The procedure works by removing the natural lens of your eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
Depending on the IOL you choose, the procedure can help you achieve partial or complete freedom from visual aids. A unique benefit of RLE is that it also prevents cataracts from developing in the future, as they can only form on the natural lens.
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are clear, artificial lenses that replace the natural lens during RLE. Each IOL offers different benefits and is suited for different lifestyles and visual needs. At your consultation with Katzen Eye Group, your ophthalmologist will help you choose the best IOL for your lifestyle and vision needs.
Katzen Eye Group offers a comprehensive selection of IOLs, including:
The toric astigmatism-correcting lens will allow a patient to achieve visual freedom at distance without wearing glasses.
Multifocal and Trifocal lenses are advanced technology lenses created with the goal of providing the least dependency on glasses after RLE. A multifocal lens splits light into two focal points to improve distance and near vision.
A trifocal lens can split light into three focal points: distance, intermediate, and near.
Extended depth of focus lenses can provide a full range of vision by stretching, but not splitting light. This allows patients to receive sharp distance and intermediate vision with fewer visual disturbances while also providing functional reading vision.
The Light Adjustable Lens is the only IOL that can be adjusted after implantation, offering patients peace of mind going into their procedure and more personalized results. Through a series of painless UV-light treatments after your procedure, your eye doctor will fine-tune your lens prescription and allow you to test-drive your vision in between sessions.
Once you’ve arrived at your desired visual results, you will attend two more “lock-in” treatments to finalize your vision.
Refractive lens exchange is often a great alternative to LASIK for patients with thin corneas, dry eye, or severe refractive errors. You may also be a good candidate for RLE if you:
To find out if RLE is the best choice for your vision correction needs, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Katzen Eye Group. Your ophthalmologist will consider factors like your medical history, lifestyle, and visual goals to determine whether RLE is right for you.
For five decades, Katzen Eye Group has been the region’s leader in ophthalmologic breakthroughs and continues to further that legacy every day to help you achieve a life without limitations. Katzen Eye Group was the first in Maryland, and among the first in the nation, to use intraocular lens implants for surgery.
The eye care professionals at Katzen believe that with greatness comes change. That said, we continue to work, innovate, and constantly advance, offering the latest in ophthalmic laser technology and advanced IOL options like the Light Adjustable Lens.
Dr. Katzen, is a leading force in laser vision correction. With his use of lasers, special high-tech IOLs, and innovative techniques, Dr. Katzen frequently corrects patients’ vision to better than they have ever seen, without glasses.
In addition, he has donated his surgical expertise by teaching and performing cataract surgery in Guyana, South America, Cuba, Israel, the United States, and Europe.
Dr. Booth, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in consultative ophthalmology and cataract surgery. Her residency training included an internal medicine internship at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, and an ophthalmology residency at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine, where she served as Chief Resident from 1985-1986.
Dr. Booth is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and the Medical & Chirurgical Society of Maryland.
Dr. Katz, specializes in primary and secondary glaucomatous diseases. His interests include both the medical and surgical management of glaucoma, with experience performing traditional procedures such as trabeculectomies and glaucoma drainage device implantations, as well as newer minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).
He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society, and has authored publications and delivered numerous presentations.
Dr. Zimmerman, is a third-generation ophthalmologist who brings more than 23 years of eye-care experience to the practice. Dr. Zimmerman currently heads the ophthalmology rotation for the Franklin Square Family Medicine Residents and serves as ophthalmology consultant to Medstar Franklin Square Hospital Center.
Each year, Dr. Zimmerman gives the ophthalmology lectures to the first-year Physician Assistant students at Community College Baltimore County, Essex, and has both PA students and PAs from the hospital shadowing her in the office to learn physical exam skills.
Dr. Nelson, graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Physics from Vanderbilt University. He went on to earn a combined M.D./Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, where he defended his Ph.D. dissertation on implantable biomaterials before graduating from the Medical School.
At the University of Connecticut, Dr. Nelson served as the President of the Medical and Dental student body and won the MD/ PhD Leadership Award. He was voted Top Intern by the nursing staff during his internship and served as Chief Resident in his final year of Residency.
