Dr Boothe

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) - Also known as Clear Lens Exchange (CLE). A surgery which removes the crystalline lens from the eye and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL). This is essentially the same surgery that is performed for cataracts, where the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear one, except that it’s done to correct the refractive error of myopia or hyperopia, rather than to remove cataracts.

Dr William Boothe

Contact Lens, Therapeutic - Special contact lenses designed to help heal the eye and protect it while it heals. They’re often used along with eyedrops specially-prescribed to promote healing.

Contact Lens, Toric - Contact lenses designed to correct astigmatism, with two curvatures at different angles, one for astigmatism, and the other for hyperopia or myopia. They have the ability to remain in place despite blinking and eye movements, so that they give you clear vision.

Dr Boothe

: Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK) - Also known as Sands of Sahara. A rare complication of LASIK surgery, appearing between 2 and 5 days after surgery, where inflammation develops between the corneal flap and the corneal tissue beneath it. The cause isn’t certain. It causes blurriness of vision when it’s severe enough.

Various measures are usually taken to prevent it, such as use of sterile tape to keep the eyelashes away from the treatment area, rinsing the cornea before making the flap, and rinsing again before replacing the flap. After surgery, medicated eyedrops are typically used to prevent inflammation. DLK needs to be detected promptly so that it won’t impair vision. Usually it responds well to use of corticosteroid eyedrops and sometimes the surgeon will lift the flap again to rinse beneath it.