RLE to Live Your Best Life.
Serving the South Bay & Torrance, CA Areas
A long-term vision solution for adults 50 and over. Refractive Lens Exchange performed by Dr. Erica Liu — correcting presbyopia and farsightedness while preventing future cataracts in a single procedure.
- One procedure: correct vision AND prevent future cataracts
- 15 to 30 minute procedure with no stitches required
- Premium IOL options for distance, reading, or both
- Ideal if you are 50 or older and not a LASIK candidate
What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) replaces your eye’s aging natural lens with a premium artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The new lens provides consistent, reliable focusing power for sharper, more stable vision — and because the natural lens is removed entirely, RLE also prevents cataracts from forming later in life.
RLE is especially well-suited for adults 50 and over experiencing:
- Presbyopia Age-related loss of near vision
- Hyperopia Moderate to severe farsightedness
- Lens Stiffening Loss of focusing flexibility after 50
Many RLE patients have already been told they are not LASIK candidates — or they simply want a long-term solution that prevents future cataracts in a single procedure.
Why Patients Choose Beach Cities Laser Vision
A boutique, surgeon-owned practice that puts your care, comfort, and outcome ahead of everything else.
Surgeon Owned and Operated
You will not be passed off to assistants or technicians. Dr. Liu personally handles your pre-op exam, surgery, and every post-op visit.
Local, Community Based, Independent
We are small, locally owned, and proud of it. A South Bay practice serving our community with personal, attentive care.
Lasers in House
All technology is on site, which means flexible scheduling, no rushed surgical days, and full control of the experience start to finish.
Transparent, Honest Pricing
Quotes are flat, all-inclusive, and given upfront. No hidden fees, no high-pressure sales, and no insurance dictating your care.
Real People, Not Phone Trees
We are morally against subjecting patients to automated menus and AI chatbots. When you call, a real human answers.
Flexible Financing Available
We partner with leading medical financing companies, including ALPHAEON Credit, so you can spread your investment over comfortable monthly payments.
A Deep Commitment to Improving Lives. Dr. Erica T. Liu.
Our founder, Dr. Erica T. Liu, is among the most experienced laser and lens vision correction specialists in Torrance and throughout the West Coast. She has personally performed more than 10,000 procedures and helped pioneer techniques that make laser eye surgery safer, faster, and more precise.
What sets Dr. Liu apart is not only her expertise, but the personal nature of the care she provides. At Beach Cities Laser Vision, you will meet Dr. Liu before your surgery, and you will see her at every follow-up visit. No phone trees. No chatbots. No handoffs.
Book a Consultation with Dr. LiuSee For Yourself.
Refractive Lens Exchange is a long-term decision. The lens you choose, and the surgeon who places it, will shape your vision for the rest of your life.
Before you book, get to know Beach Cities Laser Vision — the office, the team, and the boutique, surgeon-led approach that sets us apart from a high-volume practice.
Watch the practice introduction, then book a complimentary consultation to find out if RLE is right for you.
Book Your Free Consultation5.0 Stars Across 74+ Google Reviews
Patients across the South Bay trust Dr. Liu for RLE, cataract surgery, LASIK, and more. Read what they have to say.
"Erica Liu MD and her staff were welcoming, professional, helpful, thorough and kind. After wearing eye glasses for 25 years, I wanted to know my options. Erica presented options and the one that suited me best was RLE. It was one of the best decisions I ever made! The recovery only took one day and I now have 20/20 vision in each eye. It has been life changing for me."
"Love the whole Beach Cities Laser Vision team! I did my SMILE operation April of 2025 before I graduated from Oxford with my master's, and my life has been totally changed. Thank you Dr. Liu, Katie, and Lawrence for a wonderful personalized approach to my eyes. I am from Palos Verdes (Rolling Hills), and I'm so glad we have this office and this team right in the South Bay!"
"Dr. Liu along with her staff Katie and Lawrence is very friendly and made me comfortable throughout the process. During the consultation the procedure I wanted to do was LASIK, but Dr. Liu recommended I'd be better off with SMILE and explained the difference between the two. Best decision. Faster recovery and now I can see so much better, 20/20 vision. It totally changed my life."
What Does Refractive Lens Exchange Cost?
RLE is an elective procedure not covered by insurance — which means your lens recommendations are based on your visual priorities, not insurance restrictions. After your evaluation with Dr. Liu, you will receive a clear, all-inclusive quote with no surprise fees.
*Patients who have had previous vision correction surgery or who may be candidates for lens replacement (typically age 50+) require additional diagnostic testing. A $200 evaluation fee applies and is credited toward your procedure if you move forward with surgery.
A $200 evaluation fee applies for patients who have had prior vision correction surgery. The fee is credited toward your procedure if you move forward.
Trusted by Patients Across South Bay California
Beach Cities Laser Vision is conveniently located in Torrance, just minutes from the entire South Bay community. Patients regularly travel from across Los Angeles and beyond for Dr. Liu's expertise.
21535 Hawthorne Blvd #101, Torrance, CA 90503
- Torrance
- Redondo Beach
- Manhattan Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Palos Verdes Estates
- El Segundo
- Hawthorne
- Gardena
- Lomita
- Long Beach
Refractive Lens Exchange Questions, Answered
Here is what most patients want to know before their first consultation. If your question is not here, give us a call.
What is the difference between RLE and cataract surgery?
The procedures are technically very similar — both replace the natural lens with an artificial IOL. The difference is timing. RLE is performed proactively, before cataracts develop, to correct presbyopia or farsightedness. Cataract surgery is performed once the natural lens has already become cloudy. Choosing RLE earlier means clearer vision now AND no need for cataract surgery later.
Will I feel discomfort during RLE?
Numbing drops are applied before the procedure to keep you comfortable, and most patients experience minimal discomfort. The procedure itself takes just 15 to 30 minutes per eye. A protective shield is placed over the eye when you leave, and any mild sensation as you heal can be managed with prescribed drops.
How soon can I drive after RLE?
You will need a driver to take you home after surgery. Most patients drive themselves to their post-operative appointment the next day, with full driving typically resuming anywhere from 24 hours to a few days after surgery once your vision meets legal clarity standards. Dr. Liu will give you specific guidance based on how your eyes are healing.
Is the RLE lens permanent?
Yes. The artificial IOL is designed to remain stable and clear for the rest of your life. It will not cloud, age, or develop cataracts. Once you have RLE, you do not need it redone.
What lens option works best for an active lifestyle?
Premium multifocal and extended depth of focus lenses are designed to support a wide range of activities — from reading to working at a screen to seeing clearly in the distance — without the need to swap between glasses. Dr. Liu will help you choose the lens that fits your visual goals and daily routine.
Can both eyes be treated on the same day?
In some cases, yes — Dr. Liu will determine whether same-day treatment is appropriate during your evaluation. Many patients choose to have one eye treated first, then the second eye a week or two later, so they always have one fully recovered eye to rely on during healing.
Am I a good candidate for RLE?
RLE is especially well-suited for adults 50 and older who are experiencing presbyopia, moderate to severe farsightedness, or early lens changes — and for patients who have been advised against laser vision correction. Some retinal or corneal conditions may affect candidacy. Dr. Liu will review detailed imaging during your free consultation to determine whether RLE is the right approach for you.
How much does RLE cost at Beach Cities Laser Vision?
RLE is an elective procedure and is not covered by insurance, which means your lens recommendations are guided entirely by your visual priorities. We provide transparent, all-inclusive pricing that includes diagnostic testing, surgery, post-operative care, and any recommended enhancements. Financing is available through ALPHAEON Credit. The exact price is shared during your free consultation once we confirm you are a candidate.
Vision to Live Your Best Life.
The next chapter of your life does not need to include glasses, contacts, or daily eye drops. Schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Liu and find out what is possible.
*Patients who have had previous vision correction surgery or who may be candidates for lens replacement (typically age 50+) require additional diagnostic testing. A $200 evaluation fee applies and is credited toward your procedure if you move forward with surgery.
Phone lines checked 24/7. In-office hours Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.