Who enjoys wearing glasses? They’re not only uncomfortable to wear, but they’re also challenging to handle, especially in the rain or when entering and exiting a sauna or chilly room. However, with today’s vision correction choices, you can ditch your glasses in no time. ReLEx SMILE (Refractive Lenticule Extraction, Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a relatively new addition to the array of laser vision correction procedures. Are you curious about this operation and how it can help you get rid of your glasses or vision problems? Continue reading! Here you can find all you need to know about the ReLEX Smile procedure.
- What exactly is Relex Smile treatment?
ReLEx (Refractive Lenticule Extraction) treatments and SMILE-Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) are the only Femtosecond Laser procedures. Carl Zeiss, Germany, offered them as the third generation of LASER surgery after PRK and LASIK. The ReLEx SMILE procedure is presently the most popular. A pre-calculated lenticule (ultrathin stromal tissue) is generated inside the intact cornea during ReLEx SMILE surgery. The degree of refractive error to be rectified by the Femtosecond laser determines the volume and shape. A minor incision (2-4 mm) is used to detach and remove this lenticule, which professionals do.
- What conditions does the ReLEx SMILE surgery treat?
ReLEx SMILE may now correct myopia (nearsightedness) and compound myopic astigmatism (a kind of astigmatism). Essentially, the surgery is designed to correct eyesight rather than cure any underlying eye disease or infection.
- Experts use the following guidelines to evaluate patients having LASER Refractive Surgery.
- The patient should ideally be over 18, and the number should have been consistent for at least two years.
- A Corneal Scan/Topography is required to determine the patient’s suitability for refractive surgery. The patient’s thickness should be greater than 500. (Or more than 300 residual beds after laser application). On the corneal scan, there should be no additional anomalies.
- On a comprehensive eye examination, the person must have a healthy eye with no illness or injuries.
- Before undergoing refractive surgery, a person’s retina should be checked for degenerative alterations.
- Phakic lens-ICL compatibility should be assessed in all patients with the insufficient corneal thickness or very high or complex refractive error.
- If a patient uses soft contact lenses, he must take them out for one week before getting an assessment.
- What distinguishes ReLEx SMILE from other procedures?
Unlike LASIK, the ReLEx SMILE procedure is minimally invasive keyhole surgery. It does not require a flap; hence the risks associated with a flap are eliminated. In addition, it preserves the cornea’s integrity and biomechanical stability, making the procedure safer and more stable. The femtosecond laser is used in a one-step operation. It is quick and efficient, provides a comfortable treatment experience (because of the lack of noise and odour), and reduces the risk of dryness.
- What are the potential risks of the ReLEx SMILE procedure?
Dry eyes are one of the most prevalent adverse effects of ReLEx Smile, so lubricating drops are advised after surgery. With a skilled refractive surgeon, intra-operative problems are pretty rare. Regression of power and ectasia, a disorder that causes growth of the sclera or any other region of the eye, are two further unusual consequences identical to those encountered in LASER Refractive Surgeries.