Refractive & Clear Lens Exchange

Refractive and clear lens exchange surgery is available privately at The Edinburgh Clinic, within our calming, unique and quality clinical environment.

In refractive or clear lens surgery, sometimes also called ‘lens replacement surgery’, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial clinical lens with a specific power or prescription to help resolve common focussing or ‘refractive’ conditions. It is a similar process to cataract surgery, in which the eye’s cloudy lens is replaced.

At The Edinburgh Clinic, a premium multifocal lens option is available, which offers patients excellent vision at all distances, under all lighting conditions, day and night, and can result in clear vision without the requirement for spectacles.

What can lens exchange be used to treat?

• Refractive conditions
• Cataract lens replacement

Common refractive conditions:

Farsightedness (hyperopia): a focussing disorder of the eye in which the eye does not bend or ‘refract’ light properly to a single focus to see images clearly. The result can be that distant objects can be seen clearly while near objects appear more blurred.

Nearsightedness (myopia): a focussing disorder of the eye in which the eye does not bend or ‘refract’ light properly to a single focus to see images clearly. The result can be that near objects can be seen clearly, but distance vision or objects farther away appear blurred.

Astigmatism: distorted vision resulting from irregularly curved cornea.

Presbyopia: the naturally aging eye cannot focus as well on near objects.

What are my lens options?

The types of lens used in replacement surgery can, for suitable patients, improve the eye vision and reduce dependency on spectacles post-operatively.

Multifocal, premium lens: a multifocal lens can help provide excellent vision at all distances, under all lighting conditions – day and night.

Monofocal: a lens with a fixed focus length, spectacles would typically be required for near vision

Toric: a lens with an uneven surface, used to correct astigmatism

Watch this short video to learn more about lens options.

What are the benefits of lens exchange surgery?

• 9 out of 10 patients enjoy increased spectacles independence following lens exchange
• a multifocal, premium lens improves vision at all distances in all light conditions – day and night
• improved vision for people following cataract and age-related refractive conditions (presbyopia)
• patient counselling provided to help you transition to clear lens-enhanced vision

What should I be aware of when considering lens exchange surgery?

• only suitable patients are selected for lens exchange surgery
• some patients do not experience full spectacle independence following lens exchange, although 9 out of 10 patients enjoy increased spectacles independence following lens exchange
• spectacles can be required for close reading
• risk of glare when driving at night

Your specialist consultant ophthalmic surgeon can discuss lens exchange for refractive conditions and cataract.

You can be referred to this service by your GP or optometrist.

Situated on Colinton Road, near Edinburgh’s leafy Polwarth, Morningside and Merchiston areas, The Edinburgh Clinic is within easy reach of the City Centre and offers free on-site parking for ease of access and on-street metered parking nearby. Our patient waiting and treatment areas are comfortable and substantial, allowing a friend or family member to accompany you to the clinic and wait while you see your consultant.