Who Is Not Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery? Alternatives You Should Know About

Refractive Lens Exchange as an Alternative to Laser Eye Surgery

Thinking about losing your glasses? Laser eye surgery is a popular choice for people wanting to address their short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. Helping to reduce a patient’s reliance on glasses and contact lenses, laser eye treatment can mean you’ll see the world more clearly without them.

However, laser eye surgery isn’t for everyone. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, especially for people in their 50s and beyond. Fortunately, there are other options for people who aren’t eligible for laser eye surgery, such as refractive lens exchange (RLE), a procedure that replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial one. This could be a more suitable, longer-term option.

Private eye surgery clinics like Sapphire Eye Care are helping patients find alternative solutions for their specific needs. Using advanced diagnostics and patient-centred care, Sapphire Eye Care strives to provide the best possible care for patients.

Who is not Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye treatment reshapes the tissue within the cornea, which will typically last many years. There are several instances where this surgery isn’t advised for patients seeking to correct their vision, including the following: 

• Age-related changes: As we age, changes in the quality of vision become more common, especially in the form of cataract. If a degree of cataract is present, laser surgery won’t be able to address this issue.
• Presbyopia: A normal part of the ageing process, presbyopia is the gradual loss of near vision. Traditionally, laser eye surgery may only correct distance vision in individuals, so presbyopia would still be present or develop and worsen with time
• Very high levels of myopia: Laser eye surgery can’t necessarily correct the vision for individuals who have higher levels of short-sightedness.  
• Hyperopia: Hyperopia (long-sightedness) is more difficult to treat with laser eye surgery than myopia. 

In these cases, alternative treatments such as refractive lens exchange (RLE) can provide more stable and longer-lasting results. 

How to Choose the Right Vision Correction Method?

Choosing the best method to correct your vision is deeply personal. It’s crucial to pick the right path for you, choosing the safest, most effective and ultimately most permanent option for your eyes in the long term. 

This decision-making process starts with a comprehensive first consultation, which enables an experienced Ophthalmologist to assess not just your current prescription but also your overall eye health, including the condition of your corneas, any refractive errors (e.g. myopia), the size of your pupils and the presence of other eye conditions. This is crucial at this stage as some conditions or factors can affect the need for surgery or influence your recovery afterwards. 

If you’re a contact lens wearer, you may need to go without wearing them for a period before your consultation, as they can change the shape of your cornea, which affects our lens implant power calculations. For soft contact lenses, stop wearing them one to two weeks beforehand. For hard contact lenses, it will be longer. 

It’s essential to consult with a specialist clinic with extensive experience and expertise to give you the best advice possible. Clinics like Sapphire Eye Care take a patient-first approach, evaluating your individual needs and guiding you towards the most appropriate solution for you moving forward.

Alternatives to Laser Eye Surgery: What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?

So, what options do you have if laser treatment isn’t suitable? One increasingly popular alternative is refractive lens exchange (RLE).

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a procedure that replaces your natural lens with an artificial one, called an intraocular lens. It is also known as lens replacement surgery. This replacement lens provides clearer vision for the patient, correcting your prescription and reducing, or potentially eliminating, the need for contact lenses or glasses. This is safe because it is a tried and trusted means of treating cataract. 

Is Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery Right for You?

RLE is considered for patients looking for a permanent solution to issues with their eyesight that also reduce the chances of needing additional surgeries later in life. 

At Sapphire Eye Care, RLE is a common recommendation offered to patients over 50. With access to a full range of premium intraocular lenses, their clinical team works closely with you to determine if a lens replacement is a more appropriate option than laser eye treatments and find the solution that is best for your personal needs.

Why Choose Sapphire Eye Care for Your Vision Correction Journey?

While many clinics can focus on laser procedures as the best course of action, Sapphire Eye Care specialises in empowering patients to find solutions when laser eye treatments simply aren’t the right fit. 

Their team offers; 

• Extensive experience in RLE procedures
• Access to a wide selection of advanced intraocular lenses
• A personalised, patient-first approach to vision correction

At this premium clinic, you won’t be offered a one-size-fits-all solution, and you won’t be rushed into making a decision. Instead, you’ll receive guidance and care tailored to your specific needs and long-term goals for your eye health.

Improve your Vision with Tailored Treatments

Laser eye surgery isn’t for everyone. If it’s not the right path for you, there are alternative treatments available to help you maintain the function of your eyes. Refractive lens exchange is one such procedure that can be a more effective and lasting solution, especially if you’re over 50 and notice changes in your vision or an increasing need for correction.

To explore your options in further detail and receive personalised advice, consider booking a consultation with a trusted private eye surgery clinic like Sapphire Eye Care to help you make the best decision for you and your eyes.