What Age Is Best for Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is most often chosen by people in their 40s to 60s—when reading glasses become a daily nuisance and vision changes start to interfere with quality of life.
Here’s how age factors into the decision:
1. 40s: Presbyopia Starts
This is when the eye’s natural lens begins to lose flexibility. You may notice trouble reading fine print or adjusting to low light.
RLE at this age can reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses and prevent future cataract formation.
2. 50s: Progressive Vision Changes
Vision correction becomes more frequent in your 50s. Many people become frustrated juggling multiple types of glasses. RLE offers permanent vision correction at this stage.
3. 60s: Preventing Cataracts
By this time, early cataract development is common. Since RLE removes the natural lens entirely, it also removes the risk of needing cataract surgery later.
Is There a “Too Early” or “Too Late”?
RLE is not usually recommended for patients under 40. And while it can still be performed in your 70s, candidacy depends on overall eye health.
Restore Surgical Center provides thorough assessments to help you decide if it’s the right time.