If age-related eye conditions have compromised your ability to see clearly at all distances, you may have been told that the best option for correcting your vision is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). Because of the vision changes that occur as you age, other procedures, such as LASIK, can’t help you achieve long-term visual independence from glasses.
Since refractive lens exchange can correct age-related vision changes, you may wonder if your insurance will cover the procedure. The short answer is probably not, but keep reading to learn more about refractive lens exchange and why it is typically not covered by insurance.
What Happens During Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive lens exchange is a vision-correction procedure in which the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Depending on the IOL you chose, refractive lens exchange can improve your vision at multiple distances and potentially eliminate your need for glasses altogether.
Available IOLs can correct common refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). They often come in toric versions that can accommodate eyes that are affected by astigmatism.
Refractive lens exchange is one of the few vision correction procedures that can permanently correct presbyopia, one of the most common age-related eye conditions. Presbyopia occurs as the lens of the eye gradually loses its elasticity and flexibility.
The loss of elasticity and flexibility makes it more difficult for the eye to change shape to focus on near objects. It can make reading a book, a menu, or a text on your phone impossible without a pair of magnifying glasses, or “readers.”
Refractive Lens Exchange vs. Cataract Surgery: Are They The Same?
Refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery are basically the same procedure, but are performed for different reasons. While cataract surgery restores clear vision affected by the symptoms of cataracts, refractive lens exchange is considered a vision correction procedure.
Another difference between the two procedures is the average age of their patients. Cataracts develop slowly, and the average age of a patient undergoing cataract surgery is 72.
Patients who correct their vision with refractive lens exchange are typically much younger. They are likely to be individuals who do not meet the age requirements for LASIK or other laser vision correction procedures, but who are experiencing the beginning stages of age-related vision loss, yet have not yet developed cataracts.
Is Refractive Lens Exchange Covered by Insurance?
While cataract surgery is considered a medically necessary procedure, refractive lens exchange is considered an elective procedure and is usually not covered by insurance. For insurers, it falls into the same category as LASIK, which is also considered an elective procedure.
Refractive lens exchange can be one of the pricier vision correction procedures, mainly due to the additional cost of the IOL used to replace the natural lens of the eye. However, many patients find that the quality of the long-lasting results is worth the one-time cost of the procedure.
Permanently correcting your vision with refractive lens exchange could actually save you money in the long run. It can eliminate the annual costs of prescription glasses or contact lenses, which can add up over a lifetime.
Are There Payment Plans or Financing Options Available?
Yes, there are a few financing options to make refractive lens exchange more affordable. One popular option is CareCredit, North America’s leading patient healthcare financing program, which offers special financing for healthcare procedures not commonly covered by insurance.
CareCredit allows you to begin your procedure immediately and pay for it over time with monthly payments that fit your budget. This healthcare credit card is exclusively designed for medical services and offers special financing for procedures like RLE and premium IOLs.
When considering financing, be sure to understand the terms, including interest rates, payment periods, and any fees. It’s worth comparing different financing options to find the one that works best for your financial situation.
How Does RLE Cost Compare to Other Vision Correction Procedures?
RLE offers great long-term value when you consider how much it can do and how long it lasts. The investment reflects the advanced lens technology that provides a solution for multiple vision problems in one procedure.
Unlike other procedures that may only fix certain vision issues or need touch-ups as you get older, RLE corrects distance vision, close-up vision, and astigmatism permanently. You’ll also never get cataracts since your natural lens has been replaced.
When you add up what you’d spend over the years on glasses, contacts, reading glasses, and bifocals, RLE often turns out to be a smart financial choice. Many patients love the freedom from constantly getting new prescriptions and buying new eyewear, making RLE a worthwhile investment in better vision and an easier lifestyle.
However, it’s important to understand that while RLE provides excellent correction for existing vision problems, it cannot prevent or correct future vision issues that may develop. Your eye doctor at Whitson Vision can help you understand what RLE can and cannot address based on your specific vision needs and eye health.
Who is a Good Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?
The best candidates for refractive lens exchange are individuals over 40 with a stable eye prescription for at least six months. They should have healthy eyes with no history of serious eye disease, and realistic expectations about expected outcomes.
Refractive lens exchange may not be suitable for you if you have a corneal condition, certain eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, or are at a high risk of retinal detachment.
While your insurance may not cover refractive lens exchange, when you consider the benefits and potential long-term savings, you might find that it’s a worthy investment in your vision. It can protect your eyes from age-related eye conditions and provide years of improved vision at multiple distances.
Do you want to learn more about RLE or determine if you might be a good candidate for the procedure? Schedule an appointment at Whitson Vision in Indianapolis or Avon, IN, today!