If you’ve been diagnosed with short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia) or age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia) and wish to consider options to reduce your need for glasses and contact lenses, then you may be a candidate for a refractive lens exchange.
Refractive lens exchange
Also known as: Lens replacement surgery
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What is it for?
To treat eye conditions like short-sightedness and enhance your vision
What is refractive lens exchange?
Refractive lens exchange is a surgical procedure designed to treat a refractive defect. A refractive defect is when the eye doesn’t focus light on your retina (the film that captures images and sends the information via the optic nerve to the brain). Generally, this is due to either the cornea (the surface of the eye) or the optical shape of the eye.
During the surgery, your eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an Intraocular Lens (IOL). Your new IOL will function in a similar way to your eye’s natural lens, except it will contain a prescription to correct the refractive error in your eye, which will improve your visual function.
Following the surgery, you may not need to wear glasses or contact lenses again. If you do, it will likely only be for specific tasks, such as reading and you’ll be less reliant on glasses or contact lenses.
You may be considering putting yourself forward for the treatment and want to learn more about it. If this is the case, refractive lens exchange is often considered if:
- you’re over the age of 40, as you face a lower risk of developing complications you’re displaying early signs of cataract formation
- you have extreme short-sightedness or long-sightedness that prevents
- you from being a good candidate for laser eye surgery
- you have age-related long-sightedness and want to reduce your use of glasses or contact lenses
What does refractive lens exchange treat?
Refractive lens exchange can treat any condition that is caused by a refractive defect, including:
- short-sightedness (myopia)
- long-sightedness (hypermetropia)
- age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia)
- astigmatism (blurred vision at all distances – though this surgery is only recommended in some cases of astigmatism)
Refractive lens exchange risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks to refractive lens exchange. These include:
- retinal detachment – this is a serious potential complication and can damage your vision permanently if not treated promptly
- posterior capsular rupture – this complication can occur when your lens capsule breaks during surgery. Normally, your surgeon can make adjustments to address the issue, though you may need additional surgeries or your recovery could be delayed
- posterior capsular opacification (secondary cataract) – a secondary cataract can occur months or years after the surgery when your lens capsule (rather than the lens itself) gradually clouds over. This can normally be corrected through an outpatient laser treatment
- loss of vision – this can be due to several underlying causes but is rare. More details will be made available at your outpatient appointment
Your ophthalmologist will discuss your personal level of risk with you, which will be based on your age and multiple other health factors. However, your risk of complications is much lower when your surgery is performed by a highly experienced ophthalmologist, such as those at The London Clinic Eye Centre.
What to expect during and after a refractive lens exchange
Refractive lens exchange is a quick, comfortable day-case procedure designed to improve your vision with minimal downtime. Here’s what to expect at each stage of your treatment.
Step 1 Before your procedure
You’ll be given numbing eye drops, and you may receive a mild sedative to help you relax. You’ll be awake but comfortable throughout, and we’ll explain the full process during your consultation.
Step 2 During surgery
Your surgeon will make a small, self-sealing incision at the edge of your eye before gently breaking up and removing your natural lens. A new intraocular lens (IOL) is then inserted into the lens capsule. The whole procedure typically takes just 15–30 minutes.
Step 3 Recovery and aftercare
Refractive lens exchange is a day-case treatment, so you’ll go home the same day - but you’ll need someone to drive you. Vision may be blurry initially and can take a few days to settle. If only one eye is treated at a time, your second procedure will take place 1–2 weeks later. Temporary symptoms - such as double vision, redness, watery eyes or a gritty sensation—are normal and should resolve within a few days.
Our experts
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Unparalleled eye expertise
Our ophthalmologists bring global experience across the full range of eye conditions, supported by advanced imaging and The London Clinic’s world-class facilities.
With you at every step
From your first appointment to follow-up, our clinicians, nurses and support teams provide coordinated, bespoke care so you always feel confident and supported.
Personal care, every time
We tailor your care around your individual needs, staying with you throughout your journey and ensuring you feel listened to and supported.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, treatment or a specialist opinion, our Eye Centre team is here to help. Find out more about how we can support your eye health.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.