From £3,000 per eye · complimentary assessment
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is an advanced alternative to laser vision correction—replacing your eye’s natural lens with one that restores focus at all distances. Ideal if you’re over 45 and tired of reading glasses or varifocals.
RLE is a vision correction procedure that replaces your eye’s natural lens with a high-performance intraocular lens (IOL). Unlike cataract surgery, it’s done electively—before the lens becomes cloudy—specifically to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
It’s especially effective for those with age-related near vision loss (presbyopia), or those unsuitable for laser eye surgery due to high prescriptions or thin corneas.
You may be a strong candidate for RLE if you:
Constantly switch between reading glasses and distance glasses
Wear varifocals but still struggle with screen or near tasks
Are 45+ and not eligible for laser eye surgery
Want to permanently correct long-sightedness or high prescriptions
Are told your vision will only worsen with age
Want to prevent cataracts in the future altogether
Hear directly from patients whose lives were changed by surgeon-led care at The Harley Street Eye Centre.
Cadell
Laser Eye Surgery
“This surgery changed my life , it was like night and day. I was back to playing football like nothing happened.”
Joel
Laser Eye Surgery
“I literally woke up the next morning and could see , it was just like nothing had ever happened.”
Amira
Laser Eye Surgery
“My questions were answered. I felt a lot more comfortable and I didn’t feel like I was ever rushed or pressured into making the decision.”
Sharon
Laser Eye Surgery
“I thought that was it… And once I saw him — oh my God, it was like… I said to him, you’re like my guardian angel. Because I just felt safe. I actually felt safe in his hands.”
RLE is best suited for adults over 45 who want long-term freedom from glasses. It also prevents cataracts from ever developing.
| Criteria | RLE (Lens Exchange) |
|---|---|
| Age 45+ with presbyopia or age-related vision changes | ✅ |
| Long-sighted, short-sighted or astigmatism not suitable for LASIK | ✅ |
| Want to reduce or eliminate glasses or varifocals | ✅ |
| Prefer a permanent solution to reading vision loss | ✅ |
| Interested in preventing future cataracts | ✅ |
At Harley Street Eye Centre in London, your care is consultant-led and tailored to your vision, lifestyle and goals. From first enquiry through consultation, diagnosis and treatment, we explain every step in plain language and agree a plan together. Our clinic at 22a Harley Street combines advanced diagnostics and modern laser/surgical technology with clear aftercare and long-term monitoring where needed (e.g., keratoconus, glaucoma, retina). Use the tabs to see what happens at each stage — from booking to recovery — and what to expect on the day. When you’re ready, book a consultation or call our team.
01
We look forward to welcoming you to your appointment and answering any questions you may have about treatment options, the clinic, timings or fees. Your consultation will include a comprehensive assessment by a consultant ophthalmologist, including vision testing and any required diagnostic imaging, to determine your suitability for treatment and develop an individualised management plan.
02
Following review of your assessment results, your consultant will explain the findings and discuss the most appropriate evidence-based management options, including non-surgical alternatives where relevant. The consultation will include a discussion of the expected outcomes, potential risks, recovery considerations and associated costs, enabling a shared decision on the most suitable treatment plan for your needs.
03
You will be welcomed by our clinical team, who will complete final checks, confirm consent and ensure you are comfortable before treatment. The procedure is performed by your consultant using modern technology, followed by immediate post-operative assessment and provision of tailored aftercare instructions, including guidance for your recovery and onward support.
04
Good outcomes depend on structured follow-up care. We will monitor your recovery through scheduled reviews, adjust medications as required, and provide ongoing clinical advice, including guidance on symptoms, activity levels, and when to seek further support, with direct access to our team between appointments if needed.
Pricing depends on your prescription, lens choice, and whether one or both eyes are treated. After your consultation, we’ll provide a fixed, transparent quote tailored to your visual needs and goals.
From £3,000 Per Eye
Never a sales team
From your first assessment to your three-month review, the consultant on the call is the consultant in the operating room. No call centre, no pressure script, no juniors fronting the clinical decisions.
Of combined expertise
A senior consultant roster whose careers, taken together, span more than half a century of corneal, cataract, refractive and retinal surgery , across the NHS, internationally and at 22a Harley Street.
Successful treatments
Our advanced treatments are supported by detailed assessments, proven techniques and personalised care plans designed around each patient’s individual needs. From diagnosis through to recovery and ongoing monitoring, we focus on delivering safe, effective treatment pathways with your vision and eye health as the priority.
From your lead surgeon
Mr Marwan Ghabra has been operating since 1985 , founder of the Ghabra Technique, founding member of the International Keratoconus Society, and the surgeon who will plan and perform your procedure.
Clinical decisions
Most enquiries are seen the same week. Urgent cases , corneal damage, sudden change, infection , are seen the same day where clinically possible.
Of aftercare cover
Four post-op reviews over three months, direct team access in between, and twelve-month retreatment cover on most laser procedures, included in the original quote.
Founder and medical director. Cornea, cataract and refractive specialist. Originator of the Ghabra Technique for advanced keratoconus, and founding member of the International Keratoconus Society.
He performed the first phacoemulsification cataract procedure in Damascus in 1998, and continues to take on the complex cases that other clinics decline.
We welcome international patients seeking premium RLE surgery in London. Whether you’re travelling for faster access, second opinions, or advanced lens options, our clinic provides full care—from online consultation to post-treatment check-ins. Submit your enquiry to start planning your visit with our team.
Your refractive lens exchange surgery assessment is complimentary. An hour with our diagnostic team and a real conversation with the surgeon who would treat you. No obligation.
