Who likes to wear glasses? Not only are they uncomfortable to wear but also difficult to manage, especially when it’s raining or while walking in and out of a sauna room or cold room. Here are 7 problems only those who wear spectacles will understand. But thanks to the vision correction options available, you can get rid of your glasses in no time. And one such recent addition to the list of laser surgery for vision correction is ReLEx SMILE. We have Dr Alpa Atul Poorabia, Refractive and Cataract Surgeon, Head of Refractive Surgery Department, Secretary – Women Ophthalmologists Society (WOS), Telangana, Maxivision Super-specialty Eye Hospital, Hyderabad explaining everything you need to know about it.
What is Refractive surgery and how many types of surgeries are available?
Refractive surgeries are procedures performed to get rid of glasses. These procedures are scientifically recognized and clinically tested over the years. There are two primary techniques to correct refractive errors.
1. LASER Refractive Surgeries (LRS) where the cornea is reshaped by removing ultrathin stromal layers. Here’s more as our expert reveals the latest in Lasik surgery.
2. Phakic Contact lens or ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) – Permanent implantation of an artificial lens which has a power according to patient s eye and glass prescription.
What is ReLEx procedure? How is ReLEx SMILE performed?
ReLEx (Refractive Lenticule Extraction) procedures (FLEx-Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction & SMILE – Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) are exclusive Femtosecond Laser procedures by VISUMAX. They are 3rd generation LASER surgery after PRK & LASIK, introduced by Carl Zeiss, Germany. ReLEx SMILE is now most commonly performed surgery.
In ReLEx SMILE surgery, a pre-calculated lenticule (Ultrathin stromal tissue) is created inside the intact cornea. The volume and form of which are determined by the degree of refractive error to be corrected, by Femtosecond laser. This lenticule is separated and removed through a small incision (2-4 mm), which is done by the experts.
What are the conditions treated by ReLEx SMILE procedure?
At present, ReLEx SMILE can treat myopia (Short-sightedness) and Compound Myopic Astigmatism, a type of astigmatism. Basically, the procedure is all about vision correction and not about treating any underlying eye condition or infection. Here are 10 things you should know about LASIK surgery.
Who are suitable for ReLEx SMILE?
Here are few guidelines that Maxivision hospital follows to evaluate patients undergoing LASER Refractive Surgeries.
- Ideally, the patient should be above 18 years of age and the number should be stable for at least 2 years.
- The patient needs to undergo Corneal Scan/Topography to check suitability for Refractive surgery. The patient should have more than 500 thickness (or more than 300 residual bed after laser application). There should not be any other irregularities on the corneal scan.
- The person must have a healthy eye, no infection or injury, on detailed eye examination.
- If a person has retina degenerative changes, then it should be treated before any refractive surgery.
- All patients with insufficient corneal thickness or very high or complicated refractive error should be checked for Phakic lens- ICL suitability.
- If a patient is wearing soft contact lens, then he must stop wearing it for 1 week and then go for an evaluation.
What are the advantages of ReLEx SMILE over other procedures?
ReLEx SMILE technique is a minimally invasive-key hole surgery, unlike LASIK. It does not require a flap and hence, the complications associated with Flap are nullified. It maintains the integrity and biomechanical stability of cornea, making the surgery comparatively more safe and stable. It is a one-step procedure that uses femtosecond laser. It is fast and efficient, has gentle treatment experience (because of no noise and smell), less chance of dryness of the eyes and fast rehabilitation. Here are 7 things your ophthalmologist wants you to know
How safe is the procedure and what is the success rate?
ReLEx smile is a minimally invasive treatment method with numerous innovative benefits. It is very precise and safe surgery with over 1 million surgeries across the world. The patient can see the results from day one post operation.
What are the possible complications or risks involved with ReLEx SMILE procedure?
One of the common side effects of ReLEx Smile is dry eyes, which is why Lubricating drops are recommended after surgery. Intra-operative complications are extremely rare with an experienced refractive surgeon. Other rare complications are similar to those seen in LASER Refractive Surgeries, which includes regression of power and ectasia, a condition that causes expansion of the sclera or any other part of the eye. Also read about dos and dont s of using eye drops to maintain proper eye health.