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Lens-based vision correction · Ages 45–65
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) in Fort Worth & Colleyville, TX
Refractive lens exchange replaces your eye’s natural lens with an advanced lens implant to correct presbyopia, farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. David Truong performs RLE for patients from Fort Worth, Colleyville, Keller, and across DFW.
The short answer
What is refractive lens exchange?
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a lens replacement procedure that removes your eye’s natural lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL) chosen to correct your vision. It is the same technique as cataract surgery, performed before a cataract forms, to reduce your need for glasses, contacts, and readers.
RLE is usually the best fit between about 45 and 65, when presbyopia makes reading glasses a daily habit. Unlike LASIK or PRK, which reshape the cornea, RLE works inside the eye, so it can correct prescriptions that laser vision correction cannot.
Step by step
How does refractive lens exchange work?
RLE is an outpatient procedure performed one eye at a time.
Measurements and lens choice
Detailed scans measure your eye so Dr. Truong can calculate lens power and help you choose the right IOL.
Numbing drops
Your eye is numbed with anesthetic drops, and you stay comfortable and awake throughout.
Natural lens removed
Through a tiny incision, Dr. Truong gently removes your natural lens.
New lens placed
Your intraocular lens is placed in the same position, where it stays permanently.
Compare
RLE vs. LASIK vs. EVO ICL
Your age and eyes usually point to one of three procedures.
| LASIK / PRK | EVO ICL | Refractive lens exchange | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical age | 20s and 30s | About 21 to 45 | About 45 to 65 |
| What it does | Reshapes the cornea | Adds a lens in front of your natural lens | Replaces your natural lens |
| Corrects presbyopia | No | No | Yes, with a premium IOL |
| Thin corneas | Not ideal for LASIK | Yes | Yes |
| Future cataract | Can still develop | Can still develop | Cannot develop |
See all options side by side on vision correction in Fort Worth, or read LASIK vs. RLE vs. EVO ICL.
Candidates
Who is a good candidate for RLE?
Refractive lens exchange is often a strong choice if you:
- ✓Are in your mid-40s or older and tired of reading glasses or bifocals
- ✓Have high farsightedness or a high prescription that LASIK cannot safely correct
- ✓Have thin corneas or other findings that rule out laser vision correction
- ✓Want to address vision now and avoid cataract surgery later
- ✓Have healthy eyes overall, without uncontrolled eye disease
If you are younger, EVO ICL or LASIK usually makes more sense, because your natural lens still focuses well up close.
Lens options
Which lens implants are available for RLE?
The lens you choose shapes how you see for the rest of your life, so Dr. Truong matches it to your eyes and daily routine.
Near, intermediate, and far
Trifocal lenses such as the PanOptix® Pro give the widest range of vision with the least need for glasses.
PanOptix Pro →Extended depth of focus
Lenses such as Vivity® and TECNIS PureSee™ give distance and intermediate vision with low glare.
TECNIS PureSee →Light Adjustable Lens
The only lens that can be fine-tuned with light treatments after surgery, before your result is locked in.
Light Adjustable Lens →Toric lenses
Toric versions correct astigmatism within the same lens, for sharper vision.
Toric IOLs →Single-distance lenses
Clear vision at one distance, usually far, with readers for close work.
Clareon monofocal →All lens options
See every lens Azure Eye Center offers, with vision range and glare compared.
Compare lenses →Benefits
What are the benefits of refractive lens exchange?
- ✓Long-lasting correction. Your new lens does not wear out, and your vision correction does not regress the way a reshaped cornea sometimes can.
- ✓No future cataract. Because your natural lens is replaced, a cataract cannot develop later. If the lens capsule clouds over time, a quick in-office YAG laser clears it.
- ✓Freedom from readers. Trifocal, EDOF, and adjustable lenses reduce or remove the need for reading glasses.
- ✓Works for high prescriptions. RLE can correct high farsightedness and other prescriptions outside the safe range for LASIK.
- ✓A proven procedure. RLE uses the same technique as cataract surgery, one of the most common surgeries performed.
Surgery and recovery
What should you expect after RLE?
Your procedure takes place in our office-based surgery suite, accredited by The Joint Commission. Most patients go home the same day and notice clearer vision within a few days, with vision continuing to settle over several weeks as your eyes adjust to the new lens.
The first weeks
You will use prescribed eye drops on a tapering schedule, avoid rubbing your eye, and come in for follow-up visits with Dr. Truong or Dr. Samantha Reynolds. The second eye is usually treated after the first has started to heal. Watch a short tour of the surgery suite.
Cost & financing
How much does refractive lens exchange cost?
Because RLE is elective vision correction rather than treatment for a cataract, it is usually not covered by medical insurance. Your cost depends on the lens you choose and whether you have astigmatism. You receive a clear quote at your consultation, and financing is available.
See financing optionsTwo locations
Refractive lens exchange near you in Fort Worth and Colleyville
Consultations and follow-up visits are available at both offices, with Dr. Truong and optometrist Dr. Samantha Reynolds. Both offices are open Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–5:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am–3:00 pm.
(817) 886-4600
(817) 886-4600
Coming from Keller or Southlake? See eye surgery for Keller and Southlake patients.
FAQ
Refractive lens exchange FAQs
Is refractive lens exchange the same as cataract surgery?
Yes, the technique is the same. The difference is timing and purpose: RLE replaces a clear natural lens to correct vision, while cataract surgery replaces a lens that has become cloudy.
What is the best age for refractive lens exchange?
Most RLE patients are between about 45 and 65. In this range presbyopia has set in, so replacing the natural lens can correct both your prescription and your need for readers.
Does insurance cover refractive lens exchange?
Usually not. RLE is considered elective vision correction, so it is typically self-pay. Our team gives you a quote at your consultation and can review financing options.
Can I get a cataract after refractive lens exchange?
No, because your natural lens has been replaced. Some patients later develop clouding of the lens capsule, which is cleared with a quick, painless YAG laser treatment in the office.
Is RLE better than LASIK?
It depends on your age and eyes. LASIK is usually better in your 20s and 30s, while RLE is often better after about 45 because it also corrects presbyopia and prevents a future cataract.
How long is recovery after refractive lens exchange?
Most patients see more clearly within a few days and return to normal routines quickly. Vision continues to improve over several weeks while you use prescribed eye drops.
Where can I get refractive lens exchange near Keller or Colleyville?
At Azure Eye Center, with offices in Fort Worth (Alliance) at 3900 N Tarrant Pkwy and in Colleyville at 5203 Heritage Avenue, close to Keller, Southlake, and Grapevine. Call (817) 886-4600.
Related pages
Find out if refractive lens exchange is right for you
Schedule a consultation in Fort Worth or Colleyville. Dr. Truong will measure your eyes, review your lens options, and give you a clear plan and quote.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Candidacy, treatment options, risks, and results vary by patient and are determined at an in-person exam with your eye doctor.