Innovations in eye care have helped many patients get rid of their glasses and prevent cataracts. SharpeVision’s surgery center in Bellevue has the latest technology and offers advanced procedures to help patients improve their vision. One of these procedures is refractive lens exchange (RLE) where doctors replace your natural lens with an artificial lens to correct vision issues. “Now what happens to everybody, unfortunately, after about the age of 45 is that lens flexibility decreases to the point where everyone will either need glasses for distance or near or both, but we can’t avoid the loss of flexibility,” said Dr. Matthew Sharpe of SharpeVision. Doctors use multifocal intra-ocular lenses, so you can see both distance and near clearly. You can then go the rest of your life without glasses or contacts. RLE also allows you to prevent cataracts. “If you do it, say, when you’re 50 years old then you don’t need cataract surgery because we’ve already replaced that lens,” Dr. Sharpe said. SharpeVision’s surgery center is built specifically for lens procedures. Many patients are able to get their procedure done and leave within an hour. “What we do in here is use the best technology and make a great experience for our patients,” Dr. Sharpe said. The beds in the surgery center can be positioned to make you feel the most comfortable, and doctors use no needles, blades or stitches. “We use a laser instead of any blades to make any of the tiny cuts, so it’s all pre-cut by laser, extremely precise and reproducible,” Dr. Sharpe said. Many RLE procedures are done in five to seven minutes by Dr. Luke Barker, and there’s no pain after surgery. Patients often get both eyes done on the same day. “Typically, our patients will see 20/20 the next day,” Dr. Sharpe said. “It’s a little bit foggier, a little bit less clear than it will ultimately get, but the first day, they’ll be very functional.” Dr. Sharpe says the team’s expertise and state-of-the-art equipment set SharpeVision apart from many other providers. “The laser we use to prep the eye for the surgery, most people don’t have that,” he said. To learn more about RLE and SharpeVision’s surgery center in Bellevue, visit the SharpeVision website. Sponsored by SharpeVision Modern Lasik & Lens. Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.