YOUR EXPERIENCE

Refractive Lens Exchange Experience

At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we specialize in vision correction procedures because we know that LASIK is not appropriate for everyone and not everyone wants to wait for cataracts to develop to improve their quality of life. Luckily, there are multiple alternatives to LASIK that may work for your lifestyle and eyes. If your goal is to improve your vision surgically to decrease dependency on or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts, then Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) may be a procedure to consider. Our surgeon, Dr. Trey Nunnery will give you honest recommendations as he assesses your unique vision needs. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Nunnery will explain the pros and cons of RLE for your specific situation. He will also discuss the options for replacing your lens with an Advanced Intraocular lens (IOL).

We take pride in our thorough and sincere education we give to our patients. Simply put: we know many important factors come into play when deciding on vision correction surgery. We are here to guide you through the process, every step of the way.

$Planning for Refractive Lens Exchange$

Planning for Refractive Lens Exchange

Dr. Nunnery and his team will provide you with clear, written pre-operative and post-operative instructions prior to your refractive lens exchange procedure. For your planning purposes, we ask the following:

Wear your normal clothing. We do recommend layering in case you get warm or cold so that you can adjust accordingly.
Make sure you have someone who will be driving you to and from the procedure.
Remember to eat the night before but no food or drink after midnight before your surgery. You may have clear liquids including black coffee.

What to Expect the Day of Your RLE Procedure

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) surgery performed by our surgeon, Dr. Nunnery, is conducted at The Surgery Center at Edgewater just 20 minutes from our South Charlotte office. Up until the day of your surgery, all of your appointments will have been at our Providence Eye & Laser Specialists office. On the day of your surgery, you will be going to The Surgery Center at Edgewater. You will return back to our Providence Eye office for all of your post-operative visits.

Note: we only perform refractive lens exchange on one eye at a time. Surgery on your second eye will be scheduled for 2-4 weeks after your first eye.

Upon arrival at The Surgery Center at Edgewater, their friendly professional staff will greet you. Dr. Nunnery will already be there preparing for your surgery in the treatment room.

You will check-in and complete the necessary paperwork.
You will remain awake but comfortably sedated during the quick procedure.
Numbing eye drops will be placed into your eyes and will keep you comfortable during the procedure. When the time is right, you will be escorted into our surgical suite. Dr. Nunnery will talk you through every step of the process.
All RLE procedures are laser-assisted. The first step will be Dr. Nunnery making a corneal incision using the laser.
Through the corneal incision, the lens is gently fragmented so it can be easily removed.
With the lens out of the eye, it will be replaced with the Intraocular Lens (IOL) you have chosen. (Dr. Nunnery will have already discussed your options well before surgery so that you have your ideal vision after surgery.)
With the lens securely in place, your procedure will be complete. There is no need for stitches to close the incision; it will heal naturally.

Upon Completion of Your RLE Surgery:

You will rest in the recovery room for 10-20 minutes prior to going home.
You will have a clear plastic shield taped over your eye to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eye.
The person who brought you will be asked to bring you home where you should rest for the remainder of the day.
Almost everyone experiences some level of burning, tearing, and light sensitivity. This may be barely noticeable or quite bothersome. It should only last 4-5 hours after you leave the surgery center.
Although you should see well the day after the procedure, expect your vision to be a bit hazy for 1 to 2 weeks.
It takes 1 to 3 months on average for your vision to stabilize - this is normal.

After the procedure, all of our patients are sent home with clear, detailed written post-operative instructions. Additionally, we have a doctor on call 24/7 if an urgent issue arises.

Schedule Your Complimentary RLE Consultation with Dr. Nunnery

Call 704-540-9595 or complete the short form below.

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