Relex smile is an especially gentle and pain free procedure used in the field of laser eye surgery. With this advanced method, short-sightedness of up to -10 diopters and astigmatism of up to 5 diopters can be corrected without any complications.
The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes per eye (about the same duration as a LASIK procedure), during which the laser opens out the outer layer of the cornea by 2-3mm. Unlike other types of laser eye surgery, Relex Smile does not require the surgeon to create a corneal flap.
Who is Relex Smile suitable for?
- Minimum age is 18 years old
- Short-sightedness of up to – 10 diopters
- Long-sightedness of up to +4 diopters
- Astigmatism up to 5 diopters
- Cornea must not be too thin
- No considerable deterioration in a person’s eyesight in the last 12 months
- Pregnant patients cannot receive Relex Smile treatment
- Relex Smile can not be used to treat cataracts
Advantages of Relex Smile
Compared to conventional laser methods such as LASIK, this refractive procedure is considerably less intrusive and therefore much gentler on the eye. There is no discomfort for the patient during the surgery or after. This is because the surgery works without creating a corneal flap which means it is a low-risk procedure minimising the chance of post-surgery complications.
The procedure has a very short recovery time, allowing patients to go about their daily life after a very short period of time and is suitable for a wide range of patients, including those with a severe case of ametropia, dry eyes or a thin cornea. It is also a very quick procedure that takes approximately 20 minutes per eye.
Advantages of Relex Smile:
- Very safe
- Minimal chance of complications during or after surgery
- Very gentle on the eye
- Very short recovery time
- Suitable for patients with severe cases of ametropia
- Suitable for patients with dry eyes
- Suitable for patients with thin cornea
- Short procedure
Relex Smile is one of the least intrusive methods of laser eye surgery. Even though advanced techniques are minimising the chance of complications, a small risk remains as with every type of surgery. Under or overcorrections can be dealt with in a second procedure. Some patients have reported a foreign body sensation directly after the operation, which usually disappears shortly after surgery.
As it is a relatively new technology there currently aren’t any significant long-term studies as of yet. This is partly due to the fact that many clinics prefer to use Femto-LASIK, the treatment utilising a femtosecond laser, over it. It can be safely said however, that if the surgery is conducted by a team of experts, in a clinic with high hygiene standards and quality, following extensive check-ups then the procedure is nearly risk free and produces excellent results just like LASIK performed with a femtosecond laser.