Do I Need RLE in Both Eyes? Understanding Your Options

If you’re considering Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), you might wonder—do I need the procedure in both eyes at once?

The short answer: It depends on your vision, lifestyle, and overall eye health.


When RLE Is Done in Both Eyes:

✅ You have presbyopia affecting near vision in both eyes
✅ Your goal is full independence from glasses
✅ You have early signs of lens aging in both eyes
✅ You want balanced, binocular vision

In most cases, RLE is done one eye at a time—a few days to weeks apart—to monitor healing and reduce risk.


When One Eye Might Be Enough:

  • You have monovision correction in mind (one eye for near, one for far)
  • You’re only experiencing symptoms in one eye
  • You have previous surgery or unique anatomy that affects eligibility

What’s Right for You?

At Restore Surgical Center in Kelowna, we’ll perform a thorough evaluation and customize your surgical plan to suit your goals—whether that’s one eye, both eyes, or staged treatment.

Considering RLE? We’ll help you see the full picture—clearly.

Share this article: