Towards clearer vision
VISION correction surgery, also called refractive and laser eye surgery, is any surgical procedure used to correct vision problems.
Over the past decades, refractive surgery has improved the quality of life in over 30 million patients with above 95% patient satisfaction rate. It is one of the most popular elective surgery procedures in all of medicine and considered very safe with predictable results. It has been approved by the arm forces in many countries and even by Nasa astronaut candidates in the United States. After refractive and laser eye surgery, many patients report seeing better than they had at any other time in their lives.
Extensive research has provided invaluable refinements and advancements of laser technology and diagnostic tools to develop safe and appropriate treatment options for patients with a myriad of refractive disorders.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is presently the most performed elective procedure in the modern world.
In recent years, tremendous advancements have been made in this field. A new procedure called ReLex Smile is now gaining popularity and potentially changing the practice of refractive surgery for the next decades.
Unlike conventional LASIK, the Relex Smile procedure does not create flap and involves the use of only one laser (the femtosecond laser).
Instead of vapourising cornea tissue to correct the underlying short-sightedness and astigmatism, ReLEx Smile carves out a small piece of corneal tissue called a lenticule in the cornea and then the lenticule is removed through a small keyhole incision. This single-step, all-in-one-laser operation only takes about 30 seconds to perform correction for one eye and the entire procedure is completed in about 15 minutes for both eyes. This laser is extremely fast and uses very low energy, the procedure is odourless and silent, so there is less discomfort.
Due to the smaller wound by minimally invasive surgery, ReLEx smile results in a much stronger eye and less immediate postoperative discomfort and tearing. The use of a small incision also means that fewer corneal nerves are severed during the procedure, which also means less dry eye.
With no flap created, flap displacement or dislodgement is not an issue, and so the eye will be less susceptible to trauma. ReLEx smile is a good option for those who are involved in contact sports.
Most patients will experience a dramatic improvement in their vision a day after the surgery and then remain stable days after surgery.
Do keep in mind that laser vision correction is still a surgical procedure that carries surgical risk, although the risk involved is very small and the success rate is very high. Discuss all options and potential risks in detail with your eye surgeon or eye care provider before making any final choices.
This article is brought to you by KPJ Pusat Pakar Mata Centre For Sight.