Starting the refractive lens exchange process in South Sioux City does not mean that every part of your treatment will take place at that same office. Your initial appointments are handled locally, while the actual RLE procedure is performed at the Vance Thompson Vision surgical center in Sioux Falls. Knowing this before you begin can make it much easier to understand where you need to go for each stage of treatment and how the two locations work together.

The South Sioux City location provides consultations, eye evaluations, and continuing care, while RLE surgery is performed at the Vance Thompson Vision surgical center in Sioux Falls. The surgical center has the specialized setting, equipment, and surgical staff needed for the procedure.

If you appear to be a potential RLE candidate, additional testing and measurements are scheduled. These measurements provide the detailed information needed for surgical planning and lens selection. Your final treatment plan is based on the complete evaluation rather than the initial consultation alone.

RLE is generally considered for patients over the age of 40, but age by itself does not determine whether the procedure is appropriate. Your prescription, eye health, vision needs, and other factors all play a role in determining candidacy.

Once your treatment has been planned, you will travel to the Vance Thompson Vision surgical center in Sioux Falls for the procedure. The RLE procedure itself takes approximately fifteen minutes per eye, although you should expect to spend several hours at the facility because preparation and postoperative monitoring are also part of the appointment.