Considerations for RLE include presbyopia status, patient expectations
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Key takeaways:
- RLE candidates can have myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia.
- Patients with complex corneas should be considered for refractive lens exchange.
SAN DIEGO — A patient’s occupation, recreational activities, hobbies, frequency of night driving and personality are all important considerations when deciding whether to perform refractive lens exchange, according to a speaker here.
“Patients want to be cared for, absolutely,” Audrey R. Talley Rostov, MD, said during Refractive Day at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting. “Patients also want great outcomes and safe procedures. No matter what procedure you’re talking about, at the end of the day, that’s what patients want.”
Candidates for refractive lens exchange (RLE) include those with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia, Talley Rostov said. The majority of patients who undergo RLE are older than 50 years. It is important that patients understand and appreciate presbyopia, she said, and surgeons should “beware the presbyopic myope.” These patients need to understand that if their distance vision is fixed, they may have a problem with near vision.
Tomography, topography and retinal status are important to consider during patient evaluation. Talley Rostov said that the variety of IOL options available can help physicians expand their offerings for RLE.
“It’s also OK to have patients with complex corneas consider RLE,” she said. “The most important thing of all is for your patients to have realistic expectations.”