Yes, you can get reimbursement for lens replacement if you have a significant visual defect or vision problem that can be treated with a lens implant. If you are a member of Sygeforsikring Danmark, you can receive a subsidy depending on your membership group and visual acuity. The reimbursement can cover up to 85% of the co-payment and there is a limit to how much you can receive per eye.
Lens Replacement in Copenhagen -
A Permanent Solution to Life Without Glasses
Lens replacement (RLE) is a surgical procedure in which the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. The treatment corrects age-related reading vision (presbyopia), myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, and is particularly well suited for people over the age of 45 who wish to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
STANDARD LENSES
Standard lenses correct your vision at one distance.
Price
19,200 DKK per eye
Payment plan with Sundhed+
- Prevents cataracts
- Free, comprehensive, no-obligation pre-examination
- Treatment tailored to your lifestyle
- Post-operative check-ups
- Reassuring support throughout the entire journey
Standard lens types:
- Monofocal Lens
- Monofocal Plus Lens
The price includes a comprehensive pre-examination, a personalised treatment plan, the procedure, all follow-up appointments, and a treatment guarantee.
PREMIUM LENSES
Premium lenses correct your vision at multiple distances.
price
28,600 DKK per eye
Payment plan with Sundhed+
- Prevents cataracts
- The possibility of clear vision at multiple distances without glasses
- Free, comprehensive, no-obligation pre-examination
- Treatment tailored to your lifestyle
- Post-operative check-ups
- Reassuring support throughout the entire journey
Premium lens types:
- EDOF Lens
- Multifocal Lens
The price includes a pre-examination, personalised treatment plan, surgery, all follow-up appointments, and a treatment guarantee.
In short: Lens replacement
What is a lens exchange?
Replacement of the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens
Who is it suitable for?
Typically people over the age of 45 with age-related vision changes (presbyopia)
How long does the procedure take?
Approximately 15–20 minutes per eye
Is the result permanent?
Yes, the artificial lens lasts a lifetime.
Can you develop cataracts afterwards?
No, because the natural lens has been removed.
Price
From DKK 19,200 per eye
PATIENT STORY
Hear how a lens replacement surgery improved our patient’s quality of life. Glasses and contact lenses were a challenge for his daily activities, but after the eye surgery, he can now play padel and watch TV completely without glasses and contact lenses.
What are the benefits of lens replacement surgery?
What is a lens exchange?
A lens replacement surgery is the most common and one of the safest surgical procedures performed on the human body.
Lens replacement, also known as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), is a surgical procedure in which the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
The procedure is technically similar to cataract surgery but is performed on people without cataracts, with the aim of correcting vision problems and reducing the need for glasses.
Lens replacement can correct:
- Age-related vision changes (presbyopia)
- Nearsightedness
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
Get rid of glasses with progressive lenses and reading glasses.
Stop constantly searching for your reading glasses or struggling with the limited field of vision in progressive glasses. Lens replacement not only corrects age-related vision loss; it can also eliminate both nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism at the same time.
A solution that prevents cataracts.
One of the biggest advantages of lens replacement is that the result is permanent. The artificial lens does not change with age, and your vision remains stable for the rest of your life. In addition, cataracts cannot develop in an artificial lens. This eliminates the need for future cataract surgery.
Who can undergo a lens replacement?
For presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)) lens replacement surgery can often be an effective form of vision correction. Lens replacement can correct several different vision errors and is a popular choice among patients who want a long-term solution. Many choose lens replacement when progressive glasses no longer work optimally, or when dependence on reading glasses begins to become a nuisance in everyday life.
For individuals with very high prescription glasses, thin corneas, or presbyopia, a lens replacement is often the most suitable treatment, as laser surgery is not recommended in these cases.
Do you play padel or golf, or do you love reading? Say goodbye to limitations.
We often hear from our patients that glasses and contact lenses were a major obstacle in their active leisure life. After premium lens replacement, you can enjoy padel tennis, running, golf, or cooking without worrying about fogged-up lenses or contact lenses that cause irritation. You regain your full freedom of movement and quality of life.
Safety of medical weight loss (e.g., Wegovy or Ozempic)
We are often asked whether lens replacement surgery can be performed if you are receiving weight loss medication such as Wegovy or Ozempic. The short answer is yes, but there are certain precautions we take to ensure the most accurate outcome and your safety during the procedure.
Lens replacement or laser eye surgery – which option is best for you?
Eye Laser
Typical age
Under 45 years old
treats
The cornea
Presbyopia
No
Risk of cataracts
You can still develop cataracts
Result
Permanent
Lens exchange
Typical age
Over 45 years old
treats
The eye’s lens
Presbyopia
Yes
Risk of cataracts
Removed
Result
Permanent
At Copenhagen Eye Institute, we always assess your eyes individually. For many people under the age of 45, laser eye surgery is the best solution, while lens replacement is often more suitable after the age of 45.
Who can't get a lens replacement?
Lens replacement is not suitable for everyone. A thorough eye examination determines whether the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
Lens replacement is not suitable for people with active eye diseases such as untreated glaucoma or severe infections, severe dry eye, diabetic retinopathy or severe eye injuries that have changed the structure of the eye. It is also not a solution for people with very high refractive error that cannot be effectively corrected with lens implants, or for those with unstable vision where vision changes rapidly. Your ophthalmologist will assess whether lens replacement is appropriate for you.
The treatment may be less suitable in cases such as:
- Certain retinal diseases
- Serious eye conditions
- Unrealistic expectations
- Insufficient eye health
How the procedure works – step by step
1. Painless local anaesthesia using eye drops
Before the procedure begins, your eyes are treated with mild, local anaesthetic eye drops. You will be fully awake during the procedure, which takes approximately 15 minutes per eye, but you will not feel any pain. Many of our patients describe the experience as surprisingly quick and reassuring.
2. Microscopic, self-sealing incision
Our experienced eye surgeon makes a minimal, microscopic incision at the edge where the white of the eye meets the cornea. The incision is so small that it closes and heals completely on its own afterwards. No stitches or sutures are required at all.
3. Gentle removal of the natural lens
The thin protective membrane surrounding your natural lens (the lens capsule) is opened in a precise, circular shape. The old, hardened lens is then carefully divided and gently removed using advanced equipment.
4. Insertion of your premium artificial lens
Finally, the new custom-made artificial lens is gently unfolded and placed precisely inside the lens capsule where your natural lens used to be. The lens centers itself and immediately begins to correct your vision.
Healing process, results, and risks
Lens replacement is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgical procedures in the world. As with all surgical procedures, there is however a small risk of complications, such as temporary increased eye pressure, retinal detachment, or in very rare cases infection. At Copenhagen Eye Institute, we minimise these risks through strict sterility, state-of-the-art surgical techniques, and a close follow-up programme.
Fast recovery: back to daily life within 1–2 days
Most people can resume their daily activities already 1–2 days after a lens replacement. Many experience significant improvement in vision the day after surgery, but the final result typically stabilizes within a few weeks. You will be given eye drops to take home, along with clear instructions on how to take good care of your eyes during the healing period.
Safe healing with a tailored follow-up programme
When you go home after the procedure, you will be given mild eye drops and clear, simple instructions on how to care for your eyes. We do not leave you on your own; we closely monitor your recovery through scheduled follow-up visits to ensure your vision reaches its full potential.
Meet your eye doctor
Your safety is built on our experience. At Copenhagen Eye Institute, we place great emphasis on ensuring that you are always treated by top eye surgery specialists.
Our eye surgeon is eye doctor Javier Cabrerizo, with many thousands of successful complex procedures behind him. He continuously stays up to date with the latest international research and medical literature in refractive laser surgery, which is your guarantee of top-level clinical expertise.
For us, treatment does not end when the laser is switched off. The follow-up programme is an integral and essential part of our premium concept. We regularly monitor your eyes as they heal and are always available to answer your questions, so you can feel 100% confident throughout your journey towards your new vision.
TREATMENT GUARANTEE
Necessary check-ups and any required fine-tuning are included at no extra cost. If hospital treatment is needed, we will arrange a referral and follow-up examination with an ophthalmologist.
HEALTH INSURANCE AND INSTALMENT PAYMENTS
Most private health insurance providers in Denmark offer coverage or partial reimbursement for eye specialist consultations and treatments as part of their health plans. It is important that you contact your insurance company before your visit to confirm that they cover the service.
USE YOUR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE.
With a Health+ Credit, you can split the payment of your treatment into smaller, manageable installments without any hassle.
That’s how easy it is to get started at Copenhagen Eye Institute
Take the first step: Book a free, no-obligation preliminary examination
Are you considering whether lens replacement is right for you? Let us examine your eyes and give you a professional assessment. At Copenhagen Eye Institute in central Copenhagen (København K), we have short waiting times, and you can often get an appointment for a preliminary examination within the same week.
Eye doctor in Copenhagen K
Copenhagen Eye Institute is an eye clinic in Copenhagen with short waiting times and specialized treatment.
QUESTIONS REGARDING LENS REPLACEMENT
How long does a lens replacement last?
A lens replacement (intraocular lens) typically lasts a lifetime. The lens is made of a durable material and does not wear out over time. However, vision can change with age due to other factors such as age-related visual impairment (presbyopia) or changes in the structure of the eye.
Can I get a subsidy for lens replacement?
Is lens replacement painful?
No. The surgery is performed with local anesthetic eye drops, and most people only experience mild discomfort.
How long does the procedure take?
The surgery itself typically takes 15-20 minutes per eye.
When will I be able to see normally again?
Many experience improved vision as early as the next day, while the final result stabilizes over the following weeks.
Can you get cataracts after a lens replacement?
No. Since the natural lens is removed, traditional cataracts cannot develop.
Can you get a lens replacement if you have astigmatism?
Yes, many types of astigmatism can be corrected with toric lenses.
Are multifocal lenses better than monofocal lenses?
It depends on your needs, vision requirements, and lifestyle.
