ReLex Smile improves vision
VISION correction surgery, also called refractive and laser eye surgery, is considered safe with predictable results and has been approved by the armed forces in many countries and even Nasa astronaut candidates in the United States.
In recent years, tremendous advancements have been made in this field.
A new procedure called ReLEx Smile is potentially changing the practice of refractive surgery for the next decades.
Unlike conventional LASIK, ReLEx Smile procedure does not create a flap and involves 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, which is removed through a small keyhole incision ( about 2.5mm to 4mm only).
This single- step, all- in- onelaser operation only takes about 30 seconds to perform correction for one eye and about 15 minutes for both eyes.
This laser treatment is extremely fast and uses very low energy and the procedure is odourless and silent, so there is less discomfort.
Patient also feels more comfortable because the suction on the eye during the treatment is gentler and there is no frightening “blackout” or bleeding ( red eye) during the procedure or swelling of the eye after.
Foreign body sensations and mild discomfort may be experienced by some patients after the procedure, but that usually lasts for just a few hours.
Due to the smaller wound by minimally invasive surgery, ReLEx Smile results in a much stronger eye and less immediate post- operative discomfort and tearing.
A small incision also means 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.
ReLEx Smile is a good option for those involved in contact sports.
Most patients will experience a dramatic improvement in vision a day after the surgery and remain stable days after.
All excimer laser procedures are subject to inconsistency based on differences in corneal hydration, laser fluence projection, reflection losses, temperature and humidity in the laser room and other environmental factors that are hard to control.
In the ReLEx Smile procedure, the only variable affecting tissue removal is the accuracy of the femtosecond laser’s optomechanics, which are unaffected by environmental conditions.
It is likely that with ReLEx Smile there will be less need to develop personalised nomograms for different machines, locations or surgeons.
If the present direction and volume of research is any guide, a large proportion of tomorrow’s femtosecond technological advances and discoveries will be based on mastery of treating refractive errors without even touching the cornea.
All treatment will be intrastromal and ReLEx Smile is now the most advanced procedure available.
Choosing laser eye correction is not a decision you should take lightly.
Keep in mind that laser vision correction is still a surgical procedure that carries surgical risk, although the risk involved is negligible and the success rate is very high.
Have your eyes properly evaluated and examined by the eye surgeon prior to surgery.
Be sure you discuss all options in detail before making any final choices.
This article is contributed by KPJ Pusat Pakar Mata Centre For Sight.
For details, call 03- 4022 6222 ( KL), 03- 7804 4051 ( PJ) or visit www. kpjcfs. com
A talk and free retina eye photography for those 40 years and above will be held on Aug 8 at 11am at 1- 1, Jalan SS23/ 15, Taman SEA, Petaling Jaya. Contact 03- 7804 4051 for registration.