CLR / RLE Procedures for Reading Vision

With Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), reading vision can be improved by selecting lens implants that offer a range of visual focus. One common approach is monovision, where one eye is optimized for distance vision and the other for near tasks like reading. This strategy allows many patients to see clearly at both far and close ranges with little to no dependence on glasses.

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Procedures for Reading Vision - Refractive Lens Exchange & Custom Lens Replacement

While LASIK corrects refractive errors by reshaping the cornea, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) or Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) specifically selected to improve both distance and near vision. This procedure is typically recommended for individuals over 45 whose natural lens has become less flexible, resulting in difficulty focusing on close objects—especially when reading.

RLE/CLR may also be an appropriate solution for patients with high degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism who are not ideal candidates for LASIK or EVO ICL. In certain cases, light adjustable lenses (LAL) can be used to allow for fine-tuned, post-surgical customization of vision, offering greater flexibility in optimizing reading and overall visual outcomes.

What is RLE & CLR to Correct Reading Vision?

Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also known as Custom Lens Replacement (CLR), is essentially cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant to decrease dependence on glasses and contacts. The entire procedure is completed in about 10 to 15 minutes, and visual recovery is rapid. LASIK can be used after surgery to fine tune results when necessary. Patients who have had this surgery will never need to undergo cataract surgery in the future.

Can My Reading Vision Improve with RLE & CLR?

If you have trouble reading, it is often due to a natural hardening of the lens due to age. When young, you may have been able to read without reading glasses. It was because the lenses in your eyes could easily flex to focus on objects near and far. With a minor eye surgery, such as CLR & RLE, this problem can be resolved—leaving you with crisp, clear reading vision without glasses or contacts.

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What Types of IOLs Can Be Used for Reading Vision Correction?

Several different types of IOLs may be used in this procedure:

Traditional IOLs treat a wide range of vision problems from high nearsightedness to high farsightedness. These lenses do not correct astigmatism or accommodate to restore partial reading vision.
Toric IOLs treat a wide range of vision problems from high nearsightedness to high farsightedness, but also have the benefit of treating astigmatism at the same time.
Accommodating and multifocal IOLs are designed to provide clear vision far away, up close, and in between, typically without the need for glasses or contacts. We utilize all the lenses currently approved by the FDA, which include ReSTOR, Tecnis MF, Crystalens, and others. The IOLs are custom matched to suit the needs of individual person.
Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs) offer a unique level of customization by allowing the power of the lens to be adjusted after surgery. Once the eye has healed, the lens can be precisely fine-tuned using ultraviolet (UV) light treatments to optimize visual outcomes. LALs are ideal for patients who want the highest degree of control over their final vision—especially for reading tasks or achieving a personalized blend of distance and near clarity.

How Does The RLE & CLR Procedure Work?

Refractive lens exchange (RLE), also known as Custom Lens Replacement (CLR), is a fully-customized procedure. It involves replacing the natural eye lens with a synthetic lens, just as what would occur in cataract surgery – but many people undergoing the procedure have not yet developed cataracts. After this surgery there will never be a need to have cataract surgery, as they do not form on synthetic lenses. The basics of the treatment is simply the careful and exacting removal of the natural lens, after which a synthetic lens is placed to restore vision, near and far.

Am I a Candidate for RLE & CLR?

This procedure is ideal for those who have the following vision problems:

You are over 45 years old and are having trouble focusing on objects up close, or to read without reading glasses.
You do not qualify for LASIK due to being either too farsighted or too nearsighted.
You wear progressive lenses in your glasses and are looking for a procedure that will provide accurate vision with minimal dependance on eyewear.
You experience poor night vision, your depth perception is impaired, and you are noticing color distortions in your vision due to lens changes associated with cataracts.

Why Choose Pacific Vision Institute in San Francisco?

At Pacific Vision Institute, our goal is to help you resolve your vision problems. We offer the most advanced treatments available worldwide. The first step is to meet with our team. We are recognized as being among the finest vision correction clinics in the world, the place where other eye doctors choose to come for their treatment.

For patients seeking long-term solutions to reading vision challenges or age-related visual decline, we specialize in procedures such as Clear Lens Extraction (CLE) and Custom Lens Replacement (CLR). These advanced lens-based surgeries allow us to tailor visual outcomes with precision, offering freedom from reading glasses and excellent clarity at multiple distances. At Pacific Vision Institute, you can expect a highly personalized approach using the most cutting-edge lens technologies available today.

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