Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) is essentially a cataract surgery without a cataract. The purpose is to improve the quality of life and vision by eliminating thick glasses. The best candidates are over age 45. This procedure will often be used for persons who fall outside the safe range of LASIK or other procedures.

Additional interest in CLE has been spurred by the availability of P-IOLs such as Crystalens™, ReZoom™, and Restore™ which act like built-in bifocals.