The surgical vision correction procedure Refractive Lens Exchange, also known as CLEAR – Clear Lens Exchange And Replacement, presents an alternative to laser vision correction. Jolanta Markuszewska M.D., Ph.D., is one of the few surgeons in Poland who specialises in surgical methods of vision correction. Dr Markuszewska is an expert in the field of Refractive Lens Exchange, as well as vision correction procedures using phakic lenses. In the Refractive Lens Exchange surgery the natural lens is removed and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens ( made of silicon or PMMA plastic). The procedure is very similar to the cataract removal surgery; it is known to have long-term effects, as well as to be one of the safest eye surgery. What is more, the patient’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial one, therefore there is no possibility of cataract development. Moreover, patients with thin corneas, dry-eye syndrome and other corneal abnormalities may benefit from choosing this method, as it does not affect or cause any changes in the cornea, unlike laser correction procedure.

The procedure is suitable for patients at all ages. Most often patients who choose surgical vision correction by Clear Lens Extraction often do so because they do not qualify for the laser vision correction. Reasons for this may be different, frequently it is because the eye condition is too severe or the corneas are too thin. A patient undergoes a standard examination in order to determine, if they are suitable for this procedure.