ReLEx SMILE: Procedure, Candidates, Recovery Time

Choose the content to read

• Femto LASIK Vs. ReLEx SMILE
• What is a ReLEx SMILE procedure?
• Who is suitable for ReLEx SMILE?
• What is the recovery time of ReLEx SMILE?
• Refractive Eye Surgery MedPark Hospital

ReLEx SMILE 

ReLEx SMILE is a first-generation SMILE laser eye surgical technology to correct refractive errors, nearsightedness, and astigmatism, using the VisuMax®500 Femtosecond laser to create lenticules, or thin discs of corneal tissue, which are then removed through a small surgical incision on the side of the cornea before sculpting the shape of the cornea’s curvature to fit the light focused on the retina, correcting and restoring normal vision.

Femto LASIK Vs. ReLEx SMILE 

Femto LASIK uses the Femtosecond Laser to separate the cornea layers before lifting the corneal flap. Then, the excimer laser is used to sculpt the cornea's curvature to correct each individual’s eye refractive errors—nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism—to normal vision. Femto LASIK requires an incision of 20–30 mm, preserves a moderate level of corneal biomechanics, and has a fast postoperative recovery in 1-2 days. However, flap dislocation may occur if the eye is concussed, including dry eyes or photophobia.

ReLEx SMILE uses the VisuMax®500 Femtosecond Laser to create a lenticule, a contact lens-shaped disc, which is then removed through a 2-4 mm incision without lifting the corneal flap to restore each individual's eye refractive errors—nearsightedness or astigmatism—to normal vision. ReLEx SMILE preserves a high level of corneal biomechanics, poses no risk of postoperative flap dislocation, and is minimally invasive to the eye nerves, resulting in fewer dry eyes compared to Femto LASIK.

What is the preparation for ReLEx SMILE?

• Before an eye examination and ReLEx SMILE surgery date, those who wear hard or semi-hard contact lenses must refrain from wearing them for at least 21 days, and those who wear soft contact lenses must refrain from wearing them for at least 7 days. During this period, candidates can wear eyeglasses instead.
• Those taking isotretinoin-based acne medications, including Roaccutane or Acnotin, are advised to discontinue use at least one month before the eye examination and ReLEx SMILE surgery date.
• On the eye examination date, the ophthalmologist will take a thorough medical history and diagnose your eye condition, including a slit-lamp examination, a fundoscopy, an automated refractometer, and manifest refraction and cycloplegic refraction to assess the readiness and suitability for correcting refractive error treatment with ReLEx SMILE eye surgery.
• Skip wearing makeup and using skincare products containing alcohol or perfume ingredients 1 day before surgery and on the date of surgery.

What is a ReLEx SMILE procedure?

1. Lenticule Creation: The ophthalmologist uses the VisuMax®500 Femtosecond Laser to create the corneal tissue into a thin spherical disc (lenticule) and makes a single 2-4 mm keyhole incision on the side of the corneal surface for lenticule removal.
2. Lenticule Removal: The ophthalmologist carefully removes the lenticule through a keyhole incision on the side of the corneal surface to correct vision.
3. Corrected Eye Vision: Once the lenticule is removed, the corneal curvature gradually reshapes itself. Light will refract and focus on the retina. The eye's refractive error is corrected to normal vision, enabling clearer vision.

What is ReLEx SMILE aftercare?

• Apply all eye drops (antibiotics, anti-inflammation, artificial tears), as prescribed by the ophthalmologist
• Beware of water getting into your eyes, and avoid washing your face for 1 week
• Avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes for 1 week
• Refrain from using eye makeup for 2 weeks
• Refrain from swimming and driving for 1 month
• Wear eye protection while sleeping at night for 1 week to prevent dust and unintentional eye rubbing.
• Wear sunglasses during the day to shield them from sunlight, dust, or strong winds, which can cause dry eyes.
• Refrain from activities or exercises that may induce sweat to enter the eyes for 1 week
• Refrain from activities that may cause an accident or impact on the eyes for at least 3 months.
• Avoid spending long periods on screen, reading, or prolonged, intense gazing for 2 weeks.
• Attending every ophthalmologist appointment for symptom monitoring and treatment evaluation.

Who is suitable for ReLEx SMILE?

• Individuals with myopia of less than 1,000 diopters (-10.00 diopters), astigmatism of less than 500 diopters (-5.00 diopters), or myopia combined with astigmatism between -0.75 and -13.00 diopters.
• Individuals aged between 20 and 50 with stable vision or minor changes in vision with a value of less than 50 in a year.
• Individuals with good eye health have healthy corneas and no corneal disease.

Who is not suitable for ReLEx SMILE?

• Individuals with unstable vision or changes in vision value of more than 50 in a year.
• Individuals with farsightedness (hyperopia) or presbyopia.
• Individuals with ocular diseases such as severe dry eyes, keratoconus, infectious keratitis, or eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal degeneration.

What are the benefits of ReLEx SMILE?

• Minimally invasive: ReLEx SMILE is a new refractive eye surgery technology without requiring corneal flap opening. This modern vision correction requires only a 2-4 mm keyhole-sized incision of the corneal surface for lenticule removal, greatly preserving the biomechanics, structure, integrity, and natural curvature of the cornea to the maximum possible extent.
• High accuracy: ReLEx SMILE uses a cutting-edge Zeiss VisuMax®500 Femtosecond Laser to precisely pulse and separate the layers of lenticular corneal tissue. The VisuMax® 500 SMILE machine features a digital sensor system that helps determine the center point and the curvature of the cornea precisely to achieve the right balanced center and immediately alerts the ophthalmologist if the eyeball moves from the calculated position.
• Faster recovery: Thanks to its blade-free LASIK technique, which does not require lifting or opening the corneal flap. ReLEx SMILE procedure advantages in terms of keyhole surgical incision and speedy recovery following surgery. Individuals who had ReLEx SMILE surgery report sharper vision from the first day following the surgery. The recovery time is brief—roughly 3-5 days—to restore clear vision.
• Fewer complications: ReLEx SMILE is free from postoperative flap complications. This makes it suitable for those who are careless and may inadvertently rub their eyes, those who exercise regularly, or those who work in an active profession, requiring constant physical activity all day.
• Effectively correct vision: According to a survey of those who had their vision corrected with ReLEx SMILE surgery for 6 months and had a follow-up with an ophthalmologist, 88% of them had a 20/20 vision level, equivalent to those with normal vision, and the majority of them had stable vision over time.

What is the recovery time of ReLEx SMILE?

ReLEx SMILE is a new advancement of refractive eye surgery with a short recovery period. Typically, patients can use their eyes 1 day after surgery, they can see clearly in 3-5 days, and they usually have stable vision in 3-6 months.

Refractive Eye Surgery MedPark Hospital

MedPark Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, performs eye refractive surgeries, including PRK, Femto LASIK, and SMILE Pro, with the latest Zeiss VisuMax® 800 equipped with a femtosecond laser system, enabling fast, accurate, and safe treatments. Eye Center at MedPark Hospital uses FDA-approved high-performance diagnostic equipment to precisely measure refractive errors, resulting in effective vision correction, under the close supervision of a skilled ophthalmologist team, with consistent post-treatment follow-up care to ensure speedy postoperative eye recovery, lower the risk of complications, and promote long-term eye health, enabling you to live your life freely as you wish.

SMILE Pro Refractive Eye Surgery MedPark Hospital

Superior with the latest generation of SMILE technology following ReLEx SMILE. MedPark Hospital offers a more advanced refractive eye surgery experience with SMILE Pro, the next generation of ReLEx SMILE with the Zeiss VisuMax® 800, a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser system from Germany that employs an ultra-fast pulse rate femtosecond laser to create lenticules in just 8 seconds—three times faster than ReLEx SMILE—aids in minimizing surgical side effects; preserves the corneal biomechanics and natural curvature to a great extent while lowering anxiety; makes the procedure comfortable; promotes a speedy recovery following surgery; and enables clear vision, allowing you to see the world with a new perspective and greater brightness than ever.