Cutting-edge Odyssey IOL lens lets Greta, a busy optometrist, toss her glasses aside

What is a refractive lens exchange?

RLE, also known as clear lens exchange or lens replacement surgery, is used to correct refractive errors in the eyes, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and presbyopia. This procedure is similar to cataract surgery, but the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve vision, not to replace a cataract-clouded lens.

RLE is often used for patients who are poor candidates for laser vision correction.

Greta’s life before refractive lens exchange for presbyopia 

To say that Greta’s life is busy would be an understatement. Though she no longer sees patients in her Glendale office, she maintains two mobile practice units that tend to people with eye conditions living in nursing homes.

Greta cooperates with many other doctors and specialists through her medical group, Greta Torossian, Optometric Corp.

“I wanted a multifocal IOL, so I didn’t have to wear glasses anymore,” says Greta, who has been practicing optometry for 23 years. “I spend so much time in front of the computer that I get sick and tired of trying to locate my glasses.”

Dr. Assil offers a straightforward solution to Greta’s dilemma 

Greta has known Dr. Assil, founding doctor at Assil Gaur Eye Institute (AGEI), for 15 years and has co-managed countless cases with him and his expert ophthalmologists.

“I trust him. He’s taken care of many of my patients,” she says, adding Dr. Assil said she would be a good candidate for the multifocal lens surgery. “Everyone loves him. You have to be in awe of his confidence.”

There are dozens of IOL options to choose from. Because Greta wanted a full range of vision after the IOL surgery, Dr. Assil recommended the cutting-edge Odyssey lens for her presbyopic lens exchange.

More about the state-of-the-art Odyssey RLE

Dr. Assil has worked closely with manufacturer Johnson & Johnson during the lens development and sits on the Johnson & Johnson board of directors. He was granted early access to this lens in the United States and was the first ophthalmologist in the nation to implant the Odyssey lens.

The Odyssey is made of acrylic and leverages J&J’s existing TECNIS Synergy™ technology. After millions of IOL implants over a quarter of a century, TECNIS Synergy has been demonstrated to be safe and remain crystal clear within the eye permanently. It also protects the eye from harmful ultraviolet rays.

This lens differs from a conventional monofocal IOL that only focuses light from objects far away. People who receive monovision lens implants usually need glasses to see close objects. 

“The Odyssey provides an excellent range of sight: near vision and distance vision,” says Dr. Assil.

The RLE surgery 

Though naturally somewhat apprehensive about her brief trip to the AGEI outpatient surgery center, Greta says the clear lens extraction was easy.

Because she did not have cataracts, Greta could have the RLE procedure done in both eyes at the same time. Typically, cataract patients have to wait a week or two between artificial lens procedures.

“I’m honestly happy. I went through it with no pain,” says Greta, who has referred more than a dozen satisfied friends to Dr. Assil during the last few years. “You are in and out, and he was constantly talking to me about the procedure.”

Because Greta’s lenses combine several prescriptions into one clear lens, those “bands” of prescription can cause light to split as they transition from one prescription strength to the next.

For this reason, she experienced the halo effect immediately after surgery. Fortunately, this condition usually disappears within three to six months as the brain acclimates to the new lens.

Greta was also given eye drops to eliminate the dry eye that sometimes follows the lens exchange procedure.

Is refractive lens exchange worth it? 

Greta couldn’t be more pleased with her surgery.

“I honestly think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself,” she says of her clear vision. “I’m thrilled with things.”

Why trust AGEI with your refractive lens exchange surgery? 

With 30 years of experience assisting patients with eye health, Dr. Assil is one of the most experienced cataract surgeons in the United States. He has performed over 70,000 eye surgeries and authored over 100 textbook chapters and articles on refractive and cataract surgery.

Assil Gaur Eye Institute has assembled a team of top eye doctors from around the country who offer their patients the highest quality of specialist eye care in the United States. 

In keeping with the founding principles of AGEI, eye surgeons keep their clinics comfortable and familiar, much like how family-run medical practices used to be.

In addition to refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery, the ophthalmology experts at AGEI are nationally recognized for their eye care and treatment options for a full range of conditions, including eye conditions such as hyperopia glaucoma, retinal detachment (and other diseases of the retina), cornea conditions, contact lens, floaters and flashes, dry eye, presbyopia, astigmatism (using a toric lens), farsightedness, myopia, nearsightedness, and ‌other vision correction procedures (refractive surgery) such as LASIK surgery, PRK, and many more laser procedures.

Today, AGEI is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centric health care, commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology, and dedication to supporting its patients and the community's health and well-being. Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.