Custom Lens Replacement
Replace the natural lens of your eye with a customised lens and remove the need for glasses and/or contact lenses
€4000 - €4950 per eye
What is it?
Overview
Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) is a procedure that removes the natural lens of your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL is chosen to correct your prescription and this vision correction procedure can remove the need for you to use glasses and/or contact lenses to see well. The procedure can sometimes be referred to as Clear Lens Extraction (CLE) or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) with IOL implants.
The Benefits Are Clear
- Quick procedures taking approximately 30 minutes per eye
- Can correct large prescriptions that may be less suitable for laser vision correction
- Freedom from glasses and/or contact lenses
- Removes the need for cataract surgery to be performed in the future as surgically identical
How does it work?
Custom Lens Replacement removes the need for glasses and/or contact lenses by replacing the natural lens of your eye with an artificial lens (IOL). Our CLR procedures are performed at the Beacon Hospital. The procedure is performed one eye at a time, generally 1- 2 weeks apart. There are a wide range of artificial lenses (IOLs) to choose from when undergoing CLR and we will help you select the correct IOL for your visual needs.
Why do I need it?
How do I know if it’s right for me?
IOLs explained
What To Expect
Initial consultation
The initial consultation is a two step process; first we will complete a 30 minute virtual (video) appointment with you to assess your visual needs. At a later date, you will attend the clinic in person for a full eye health check. This appointment will last up to 2.5 hours. You will undergo tests and scans before a consultation with the doctor. During the consultation, the doctor will discuss the options and advise which procedure you are most suitable for.
Please note: Your pupils will be dilated so you will be unable to drive for the remainder of the day following the appointment. Contact lenses must be left out 2 days (soft lenses) and 3 weeks (for hard lenses) prior to an evaluation as they distort the natural shape of the cornea.
Day of surgery
On the day of surgery, while the procedure only takes 30 minutes per eye, you will be in the Beacon Hospital for approximately 4 hours. This allows time to complete your admission to the Day Unit, preoperative checks such as blood pressure and dilate your pupils before your procedure. The anaesthetist will also discuss sedation options with you and administer this prior to your procedure. When your procedure is over, you will relax (with tea and toast!) in the recovery room for approximately 40 minutes. In line with Beacon Hospital's policies, we ask that you have a family member/ friend collect you at the reception area of the Day Unit in Beacon Hospital after your procedure.
Post-operative care
We advise all patients to go home and rest on the day of their procedure. Most patients find the procedure comfortable with only mild discomfort for the remainder of the day. Prescriptions for pre and post operative care will be provided at the time of booking your surgery appointment and you should have these prescriptions filled prior to going home. You will use 3 kinds of drops for 1 month after the procedure. These are intended to reduce inflammation and infection as your eye heals.
You will return to the clinic for post-operative visits as per the below schedules:
- Day 1 (only if specifically requested by the Surgeon, majority of patients it is not required)
- 1 week
- 6 weeks
- 6- 12 months
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take for my vision to settle after surgery?
How long will it take for my vision to settle after surgery?
You may notice an improvement in your vision the day after surgery but as the dilation drops are still wearing off, we do not expect your vision to be sharp yet. You will notice an improvement in the first week but the vision may fluctuate in the weeks after surgery as it takes 6 weeks for vision to fully settle. After surgery, as the eye heals, it locks the artificial lens (IOL) into its final resting position inside the eye. As this final resting position is not 100% predictable pre surgery, laser vision correction procedures can be performed at no extra charge to fine tune the result.
What is the downtime after surgery?
What is the downtime after surgery?
For those having CLR procedures, we recommend the day of surgery and day after surgery off work. See table below which details the popular activities and the amount of time you should wait before resuming these activities.
| Activity | Safe to resume post ICL procedure |
| Bending | 1 week |
| Bikram Yoga | 4 weeks |
| Boxing | 6 weeks |
| Bungee Jumping | 6 weeks |
| Cycling | 1 day |
| Driving | 3-5 days |
| Drinking (alcohol) | 1 day |
| Eyelash tinting/ extensions | 6 weeks |
| Eyebrow threading/ waxing | 6 weeks |
| Eye make-up | 1 week |
| Face make-up | 2 days |
| Football | 2 weeks |
| Flying | 1 week (short haul), 2 weeks (long haul) |
| GAA | 2 weeks |
| Gardening | 1 week |
| Golf | 1 week |
| Gym | 1 day |
| Hair-wash | 2 days |
| Hair colouring | 1 week |
| Horse riding | 2 weeks |
| Hurling | 2 weeks |
| Jogging | 1 day |
| Karate | 2 weeks |
| Lifting | 2 weeks |
| Parachute Jumping | 2 weeks |
| Pilates | 1 day |
| Rugby | 2 weeks |
| Sailing | 2 weeks |
| Sauna | 2 weeks |
| Scuba diving | 3 months |
| Shower | 1 day |
| Skateboarding | 1 day |
| Skiing | 2 weeks |
| Smoking | 1 day |
| Squash | 2 weeks |
| Steam room | 2 weeks |
| Sunbathing/ Sun-bed | 1 week |
| Swimming | 2 weeks |
| Surfing | 2 weeks |
| Tennis | 1 week |
| Trampoline | 4 weeks |
| Weight lifting | 2 weeks |
| Yoga | 1 week |
It is possible to treat distance and near vision with CLR?
It is possible to treat distance and near vision with CLR?
Yes- CLR offers options to treat distance vision (driving, TV) intermediate (PC) and near (reading). Our advanced technology IOLs may be the preferred option for you if you wish to improve your vision at all 3 distances.
I am worried about sedation, what if I do not go asleep?
I am worried about sedation, what if I do not go asleep?
It is normal for patients to be nervous prior to the procedure as many do not want to be awake or remember the procedure. The Surgeon will recommend the sedation type for your procedure (local with sedation or general anaesthetic). While most procedures are performed with local anaesthetic and sedation, we ask all patients to fast so if you are not comfortable during the procedure, the Anaesthetist can convert to a general anaesthetic if required. You will be monitored closely during the procedure to ensure that you are comfortable and the majority of patients fall asleep during the procedure without needing general anaesthesia.
How will I feel leaving the hospital?
How will I feel leaving the hospital?
You will feel tired leaving the hospital as the sedation can take some time to wear off. You will have less energy due to the fact you are fasting so it is normal to feel tired. You may notice some improvement in vision but we expect your vision to be blurry as the dilation drops used before your procedure take 10-30 hours to wear off. If you are experiencing discomfort after the procedure, you should let the nurses in the Day Unit know before you are discharged so they can give you some pain relief. If you are sore/uncomfortable at home after the procedure, you can take over the counter pain relief such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
Pricing
Before treatment
Vision Correction Initial Consultation
€150
Treatment
Custom Lens Replacement
€4000 - €4950 per eye
Surgeon fee (€2500), hospital fee (€1100), anaesthetist fee (€400) and cost of the lens (€0-€950). Approximate pricing as cost of lens can vary based on strength and lens type used. Full written quote will be provided prior to scheduling surgery.
Follow Ups
Typically you should come for a check up at least once every 2 years.
First 12 months
No Charge
12 months - 4 years (Doctor & Optometrist)
€150
12 months - 4 years (Optometrist Only)
€100
After 4 years (Doctor & Optometrist)
€250
Additional scans may be required with additional cost of €60 each.Maximum 2 scans chargeable per visit.
After 4 years (Optometrist Only)
€150
Additional scans may be required with additional cost of €60 each.Maximum 2 scans chargeable per visit.
Want to begin your journey to clearer vision?
Whether you still need more information or you think this is the right procedure for you, request a consultation and we’ll be able to help you from there.