Refractive Surgery - Clear Lens Extraction

Clear lens extraction (CLE) is the removal of the natural lens of the eye with intraocular lens placement as a refractive procedure. This is done with a special ultrasound instrument and may be done with eye-drop anesthesia (similar to LASIK). The procedure can be performed without the need for stitches. A flexible lens implant of the proper power is then placed inside the eye through an extremely small incision to correct the refractive error.

Are you a candidate for Clear Lens Extraction?

CLE is most commonly performed to treat higher levels of farsightedness in patients over age forty. The optical results are superior to LASIK for these higher corrections. CLE may also be used to correct higher levels of nearsightedness and may be fine-tuned with LASIK if a small refractive error remains. Some surgeons have used CLE to treat extremely nearsighted or farsighted patients who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK. The major drawbacks of CLE are the risk of postoperative retinal detachment (more of a risk with nearsighted than farsighted patients), and the risks of intraocular surgery. If both eyes are corrected for distance vision, CLE patients will require glasses after their procedure for reading unless they are implanted with a multi-focal or accommodating lens.

What are the benefits of Clear Lens Extraction?

As with LASIK and PRK monovision corrections are possible with CLE to decrease or even eliminate one's need for reading glasses. Or, a new intraocular lens called the Crystalens can be implanted at the time of lens extraction. The Crystalens allows you to see both near and far after the operation.