Preparation for a Refractive Lense Exchange is rather simple. You’ll consult with your eye surgeon leading up to the surgery, where they’ll perform ultrasound tests to measure your eye's shape and size. They’ll usually direct you to stop taking certain medications and give you antibiotic eye drops to place in the eye 1-2 days prior to the surgery. In most cases, you’ll also have to fast (no drinks or food) for 12 hours leading up to the surgery. As for the surgery itself, it’s performed on an outpatient basis and usually takes 15-30 minutes per eye. You’ll be awake, but you’re given numbing anesthetic eye drops – which means you won’t feel anything. Depending on the patient, recovery time lasts a few days to a few weeks.