PRELEX

PRELEX stands for PREsbyopic Lense Exchange

PRELEX corrects vision by replacing the eye’s natural lens with a multifocal intraocular lens of appropriate power.

It is typically used to correct short sightedness, long sightedness and presbyopia. It may also be an appropriate treatment for people who:

  • Have corneas too thin for laser eye surgery
  • Are over 40 and want to eliminate their dependence on bifocals or reading glasses
  • May be showing sign of developing cataracts

Procedure

PRELEX is performed in our day surgery and both eyes are usually done on the same day. The eye is anaesthetised with eye drops to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. Dr llan Sebban will make a micro-incision (of 2.5mm or less) in the eye so that the natural lens can be removed using ultrasonic vibrations. The natural lens is replaced by a foldable multifocal intraocular lens, which is inserted through the micro-incision. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds as it is placed into permanent position. No sutures are required because the tiny micro-incision is self-sealing.

For those patients who have some degree of corneal astigmatism requiring additional correction, relaxing incisions can be made in the surface of the cornea to reduce the astigmatism at the same time PRELEX is performed.  Alternatively, the astigmatism can be corrected on a separate occasion with a laser.

Although everyone heals differently, most patients see improvement in their vision almost immediately and most resume normal activities within a day or two.

Benefits of PRELEX

It creates a new visual system inside the eye, one that can provide the focusing power to see near, intermediate and far images with minimal dependence on corrective lenses and is independent of the ageing process. This means PRELEX surgery may result in you throwing away your traditional or progressive bi-focal or multi-focal prescription glasses.