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Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) | Clear Lens Extraction
and Replacement – (CLEAR™)
If you’re fed up of wearing
glasses, but have been told that you’re not a candidate for LASIK, there is a
new vision correction option that may be best for you. It’s called Refractive
Lens Exchange (RLE) or Clear Lens
Extraction and Replacement – CLEAR for short – and it’s designed mainly for
people who are over 40 and are not good candidates for LASIK.
Unlike LASIK and other
refractive surgery techniques that correct vision by altering the shape of the
cornea, RLE corrects your vision by
 altering
the focusing power of the eye’s lens. To do this, we replace your natural lens
with a new intraocular lens (IOL). Like the lens of a camera,
which focuses images sharply on the film, the eye’s lens focuses light and
images on the retina at the back of your eye. With RLE, your natural lens is
replaced with an IOL chosen to give you the finest vision for your requirements.
RLE is well suited for people over 40 because that is the age that nearly all
of us begin to lose the ability to focus up close. This occurs when the natural
lens becomes less flexible, and no longer accommodates as well to altering its
focus from distant to near vision. Then reading glasses or bifocals are needed
for close work.
Image by Mark Erickson,
JirehDesign.com
Some IOLs used in RLE
have a fixed focal length and do not accommodate. If you chose this type, you
may desire to have your new lens offer sharp distance vision for driving, golf,
and similar activities. Or you may require near vision for reading, computer
work and other close activities. The option is yours. Another choice is a unique
type of accommodating IOL that allows the eye to focus both up close and far
away. This special lens allows the eye to focus naturally without glasses. Before the procedure, your
eye is precisely measured using precision state-of-the-art ultrasound
instruments. These measurements are entered into a sophisticated formula to
calculate the exact corrective power of your intraocular lens.
If RLE is a good fit for
you, your procedure will be performed using the same advanced techniques that
have been so successful in restoring sight for people with cataracts. These
include the use of intraocular anesthesia, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory
medication for patient comfort, safety and rapid healing. In fact, most RLE
patients are able to get back to their normal activities the very next day.
While RLE is not right
for everyone, it may be the option you are looking for. To find out if you are a
candidate for RLE, or for one of the other refractive procedures available at
the EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic, speak to a member of our medical staff
about having an evaluation today.
Illustrated guide to Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) | Clear Lens
Extraction And Replacement (CLEAR)
Note: since the procedure is similar to phacoemulsifcation
cataract extraction and IOL implantation, the images shown are
courtesy of www.Cataract.com.ph.
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After placing topical anesthesia, clear corneal incision is made with a
crystal/diamond keratome. This is usually only 2.75 mm in size. This is a
self-sealing incision which allows a sutureless procedure.
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Arguably one of the more delicate steps in the procedure of lens removal,
continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) is the careful creation of a
well-controlled tear in the anterior capsule of the cataract.
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Ultrasonic vibrations (phacoemulsification) are now created to crush the
lens into manageable particles which are then aspirated into a port using
the same tip (handpiece).
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The
conventional way of approaching the removal of a lens is by the "divide and
conquer" method. The lens is rotated and grooving is continued to create
manageable pie shaped segments.
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This provides a side view of the actual inclination of the phaco tip (handpiece)
as it proceeds with phacoemulsification of the lens.
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After removal of the tough nuclear component, the softer cortical material
are then aspirated with an irrigation/aspiration (I/A) handpiece. Complete
removal of the lens lessens the likelihood of developing an "after cataract"
or posterior capsular opacification necessitating a YAG laser capsulotomy
post operatively.
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After
injection of viscoelastic material into the capsular bag and the anterior
chamber a foldable intraocular lens is then inserted and unfolded into the
eye.
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The
intraocular lens is then dialed into place. The remaining viscoelastic
material is removed. The eye is then checked for leaks.
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This is the lateral view of the posterior chamber intraocular lens after
Clear Lens Extraction And Replacement surgery.
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An
IOL is a clear, artificial lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent
part of your eye. With an IOL, you'll have improved vision because light will be
able to pass through it to the retina. Also, you won't feel or see the new lens.
The self-sealing corneal incision precludes the need for stitches, however, one
may receive one or several stitches in some instances.
There are several ways of reaching the ophthalmologists of EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic:
Hover note: Please place your mouse cursor over the red box
to click on the web and email links. For websites, a new browser
window will open. For emails, your default email program will
open. You may cut and paste the URLs or email addresses if you
prefer not to open new windows.
ONLINE ACCESS
WEBSITES.
http://www.EyeRepublic.com.ph - EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
http://www.OCP.com.ph - Ophthalmic
Consultants Philippines Co. -
http://www.LASIK.com.ph - Refractive
Surgery Resource
http://www.Cataract.com.ph - Cataract Surgery Resource
http://www.Eye.com.ph - Eye
Information Online
http://www.EyeDoc4Kids.com.ph - Eye Information for Kids
http://www.Retina.com.ph - Retina
Surgery Resource
http://www.Glaucoma.com.ph - Glaucoma
Online
http://www.Uveitis.com.ph - Uveitis Online
EMAIL. After writing down your comments,
suggestions, problems and/or questions, kindly tell us how
to get in touch with you by providing your name, email,
home/office numbers, and mobile phone.
General inquiries - help@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Refractive Surgery Service - refractive.surgery@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Glaucoma Service - glaucoma@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Cataract Service - cataract@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Doctors - eyemd@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Administrative - president@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Website - webmaster@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Newsletter -
newsletter@EyeRepublic.com.ph (receive
news and updates, discounts and promotions)
BLOG. Send us your comments.
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Atlas
CLINIC INFORMATION
Mobile E-Yellow Pages. Via
SMS, text LUK4 EYEREPUBLIC
(send to 2851 for Globe and Sun Cellular, and 2951 for Smart). |
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Manila
3/F Don Santiago Building Units 309-310
1344 Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila, 1000 Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 536-2398
Trunk Line: (632) 523-8271 to 79 local 30
Mobile: (63917) 899-2020
Map and directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Asian Hospital
and Medical Center
5/F Medical Office
Building (MOB) Suite 509
2205 Civic Drive,
Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City,
1781 Philippines
Direct:
(632) 771-9253
Direct and Fax:
(632) 771-9254
Mobile: (63917) 795-2020
Map and Directions
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EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Medical City
6/F Medical Arts Tower Inc (MATI) Suite 602
MERALCO Compound, Ortigas Avenue
Pasig City, 1604, Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 632-7846
Mobile: (63917) 537-2020
Map and directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
St. Luke's
Medical Center
6/F
Cathedral Heights Building Complex (CHBC)
North Tower Suite 614
279 E. Rodriguez
Sr. Boulevard
Quezon City, 1102
Philippines
Direct and Fax:
(632) 407-3883
Mobile: (63917) 855-2020
Map and directions
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CLINIC HOURS
First-Come, First-Served
Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
All clinics are closed on Sundays and Holidays
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Note: Some of the information here was taken and abridged from
the web site of the FDA.
REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE information compiled by
Dr.
Manolette Roque [ Resume
| Email
]
and initially uploaded on May 1, 2004.
By visiting this website, you agree to
LASIK.com.ph's TERMS OF USE.
Last
updated on
September 14, 2007.
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