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RLE Surgery in London

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Improving close vision with Refractive Lens Exchange

RLE (Refractive lens exchange) may be a better option than laser eye surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, for some patients, especially those already needing glasses for reading (presbyopia) or who are significantly long-sighted (hyperopia).

Patients who are best suited for refractive lens surgery include:

  • Moderate to high degrees of long-sight (hyperopia)
  • Those age 50+ who use reading glasses (presbyopia)
  • Those not suitable for LASIK or phakic IOL treatment

Find out more about RLE eligibility.

Refractive lens exchange (abbreviated to RLE) is also known as refractive lens surgery, lens replacement surgery or clear lens exchange (CLE).

RLE surgery replaces the clear natural lens inside the front part of your eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The technical procedure is very similar to cataract surgery, although in RLE no cataract is present and the natural lens being removed is still clear.

Ready To See Clearly?

We can give you a good idea of your suitability for RLE surgery over the phone and schedule you for your initial consultation. Submit your details below, pick a time that works best for you and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your options.

RLE surgery may be an option for those not suitable for LASIK

Sight Test

Focus Clinics is Rated #1 for Laser Vision Correction in the UK on TrustPilot

RLE Surgery at Focus Clinic London

...is considered pain-free by most patients
...is performed as a day-case with the whole visit lasting 2 hours
...treatment completed within 15 minutes for both eyes

The RLE Procedure - What Happens During RLE? 

Lens replacement surgery usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes per eye and is performed as a day-case. Each eye can be done separately, usually about a week apart, or both eyes can be treated on the same day (as is commonly done in other European countries and now increasingly in the UK).

Anaesthetic drops are used during lens surgery to ensure the eye is numb, so usually, you will not feel any discomfort or pain.

Most people see the immediate improvement in their vision after surgery, and normal recovery to your full schedule of activity usually takes between several days and up to one week. The ultimate outcome of refractive lens surgery can take up to 4-8 weeks, and you may be aware of some changes in your vision, such as some blur, and halos and glare at night. You might also feel some dryness of a foreign body feeling as your eyes heal.

You should expect to be able to return to work and resume driving within a few days, and your surgeon will advise you on this. The new lens lives inside your eye and you will not be able to feel it, nor is it visible to anyone talking to you. It can only be seen during an eye examination with a specialist.

The artificial IOL (intraocular lens) is designed to be a permanent replacement for your natural lens and is created to last the rest of your life. Once the natural lens is removed, so too is the tendency to lose focusing power with age. The lens power will remain constant for the decades to come and so there is very little chance of the new focusing ability decreasing over time.

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We can give you a good idea of your suitability over the phone and schedule you for an initial consultation.

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Choice of Lens Implants

In common with cataract surgery (when done privately), you will have three main choices for which implant (intraocular lens, IOL) you will want after the removal of your natural lens. This depends on an assessment of your eyes and vision, and your visual requirements after surgery.

  • Standard Monofocal IOLs – to correct your distance vision only (including toric IOLs that also correct astigmatism)
  • Monofocal IOLs with monovision – to correct distance and reading – one eye is focused for sharp distance vision and the other focused on reading, liberating you from the need for glasses for all or most tasks – a very established option and similar in its effects to LASIK Blended Vision
  • Premium Multifocal IOLs – to correct vision at multiple ranges, i.e. far, intermediate (PC) and reading vision

You may also see references to accommodating IOLs, which have been designed to allow vision at multiple distances by moving small distances inside the eye under the action of your normal focusing muscle. There is little evidence that these work in the long-term and so they are not offered at Focus.

The choice of lenses is very individual and will be determined at consultation with your surgeon, where you can discuss together your visual needs after treatment.

Refractive Lens Exchange or LASIK for severe prescriptions – what is better?


LASIK remains the most popular option for correcting short-and long-sight, including astigmatism, and can treat more than 95% of all prescriptions. However, for extreme prescriptions and some cases where the corneal anatomy is not fully normal, replacing the natural lens (refractive lens exchange, lens replacement surgery) or adding a lens in addition to your natural one (phakic IOL, ICL) can be better options.

This is most commonly the case with high degrees of long-sight (hyperopia, farsight) where the results will be better than is possible with laser eye surgery. LASIK is best used for up to +3.00 to +4.00 dioptres of long-sight, while above this level intraocular lenses can give a better and more stable outcome.

High levels of myopia (short-sight) can be more problematic with lens exchange surgery due to the higher incidence of retinal detachment, a vision-threatening complication. Fortunately, the laser combination used at Focus can treat most short-sighted prescriptions without the need to consider lens surgery.

Lens replacement surgery is more expensive than LASIK correction but is the correct option in certain patients with high prescriptions.

Suitability for clear lens exchange surgery

More advanced premium multifocal IOLs can now also reduce or eliminate your need for reading glasses, bifocals or varifocals, improving both distance and reading vision.
Improving close vision is the most common reason for performing refractive lens exchange.


Patients who are best suited for lens replacement surgery include:


  1. Moderate to high degrees of long-sight (hyperopia)
  2. Those age 50+ who use reading glasses (presbyopia)
  3. Those not suitable for LASIK or phakic IOL treatment

Lens replacement surgery is most commonly used for people with presbyopia (using reading glasses after the age of 40) or higher degrees of long-sightedness, and for whom laser eye surgery (LASIK, PRK or LASEK) or phakic IOL surgery are not options.

If you suffer from both needing reading glasses and moderate to severe hyperopia so that your distance vision is quite blurred, lens surgery may be your only option to attain clear vision and no or reduced minimal reliance on glasses after your operation.

LASIK Blended Vision is used more commonly at Focus for many patients in their 40s and 50s due to its demonstrated safety profile, combining better reading vision with also treating any short-sight, long-sight or astigmatism. One of our surgeons can advise if lens replacement surgery (RLE) or LASIK Blended Vision is right for you.

Reading Glasses

Premium multifocal intraocular lenses have revolutionised what can be offered for patients having clear lens replacement surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions About RLE

Is RLE Surgery Painful?

No, RLE surgery is not painful. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so you should only feel a slight prick when the anaesthesia is injected.

You may also feel some pressure during the surgery, but this is not painful.

What Is the Success Rate of RLE?

Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a safe and effective procedure with a success rate of 98%-99%.

However, as with any surgery, there are a number of potential risks that can lead to permanent loss of vision. These risks are rare, but it's important to be aware of them before undergoing surgery.

Is RLE Surgery Permanent?

Yes, RLE surgery is a permanent procedure.

Once your natural lens is removed, it cannot be put back in. However, the artificial lens that is implanted can be removed or replaced if necessary.

What different lens are available?

1. Monofocal IOLs
Standard monofocal IOLs have been used worldwide in cataract surgery and lens replacement surgery (without cataract), and are the standard lens used in NHS cataract operations. These lenses will provide excellent vision in the daytime and low light, and have a low risk of night vision problems e.g. halos and glares.

However, these lenses are made to provide good vision at a single focal range, and most commonly are set for clear distance vision. Reading glasses will still be needed for print and computer use.

2. Monofocal IOLs with monovision
If you want to eliminate or reduce your dependence on reading glasses, monofocal lenses can still provide for and near vision through an option known as monovision. In this case, one IOL is selected to give sharp distance vision, e.g. driving and television, while the other IOL is focused for close vision, often liberating you from the need for glasses for most tasks. This is a very well established option and similar in its effects to LASIK Blended Vision. Because standard lenses are used, the costs are lower than premium multifocal lens implants.

3. Premium multifocal lenses
The development of premium multifocal lenses has revolutionised what can be offered with lens replacement surgery. The IOLs allow you to see at multiple ranges and typically reduce or eliminate the need for glasses for intermediate or near work.

The choice of IOL will depend on your visual requirements and if you have a preference for where you want your clearest vision, e.g. computer range or finer close-up work. Each IOL has its own advantages and disadvantages and so the choice of lens is best made between yourself and your surgeon, who can advise on the most suitable option for you.

How Much Does Lens Replacement Cost UK?

The cost of RLE surgery will vary depending on a number of factors, including your surgeon's fees, the type of implant you choose, and whether you have any pre-existing conditions that need to be taken into account.

At Focus Clinics, RLE surgery costs between £6,500 and £7,990.

How Long Does RLE Surgery Last?

RLE surgery is a relatively short procedure, typically taking 10-15 minutes to complete. You will be able to go home on the same day as your surgery.

Risks and Side Effects of RLE

Refractive lens exchange is performed essentially the same way as cataract surgery, and therefore RLE complications are similar to cataract surgery complications.

Refractive lens exchange typically is reserved for people who are both farsighted and presbyopic (reading glasses-dependent). Lens replacement surgery is more invasive than laser-based refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK and comes with slightly more risk.

However, sight-threatening complications are rare, and most complications can be treated successfully with medication or additional surgery. While refractive lens exchange has been proven safe and effective, all surgery has some degree of risk, which you should discuss in detail with your eye surgeon. Refractive lens exchange risks and complications include:


  • Retinal detachment, especially in extremely nearsighted people
  • Dislocated IOL
  • Increased eye pressure (ocular hypertension)
  • Infection or bleeding inside the eye
  • Droopy eyelid (ptosis)
  • Glare, halos and blurry vision from multifocal IOLs


Refractive lens exchange is more invasive surgery with a higher risk of complications, compared with other vision correction procedures. But the higher risks may be an acceptable trade-off if you have a severe refractive error and a strong desire to be less dependent on eyeglasses, contact lenses and/or reading glasses.

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