Refractive Lens Exchange: A Review

In recent decades, technical advancements in lens surgery have considerably improved safety and refractive outcomes. This has led to a much broader range of indications for refractive lens exchange (RLE). Effective restoration of uncorrected distance and near visual acuity is possible with modern presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs). Hyperopic patients who are fully presbyopic were identified as ideal candidates for RLE. For myopic patients, an increased risk of retinal detachment has been reported, which leads to a higher threshold to perform RLE in this patient group. The most frequent postoperative complications include posterior capsular opacification, deviation from the target refraction and cystoid macular edema. Thus, adequate planning of surgery, careful patient selection, as well as comprehensive counseling are crucial for successful RLE.