What is ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery?
ReLEx (Refractive Lenticule Extraction) SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) eye surgery is one of the newest developments in vision correction procedures. This treatment is available in only a few laser eye clinics in the United States.
ReLEx SMILE uses state-of-the-art femtosecond technology to create a high-precision thin circular disc of tissue that is removed through a small incision in the cornea. The incision made with SMILE is less than 4 mm.
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Is SMILE Eye Surgery Right For Me?
Some patients are not candidates for LASIK because of thin corneas, high prescriptions, dry eye, etc. Traditionally, the Toledo LASIK & Cataract surgeon used PRK/ASA for these eyes, which is a great procedure, but it takes longer to heal. SMILE vision correction is a good alternative allowing for the safety profile that PRK provides for certain eyes, but with quick healing similar to LASIK.
What to Expect During SMILE Laser Eye Surgery
Your eye is anesthetized with eye drops and a lid speculum is gently positioned to prevent you from accidentally blinking. The whole treatment process is then undertaken using the Zeiss Femtosecond Laser as a single step. The treatment usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes. The actual laser is in operation for only a tiny fraction of this time, and after a quick post-operative check by your surgeon, you are free to go. The recovery from the procedure is generally quite comfortable (similar to LASIK) and the visual recovery is reasonably quick. You should have hazy but navigational vision after a nap. Most patients will need three days of recovery before driving and using a computer. Visual recovery with this procedure is generally a little slower than LASIK eye surgery, but quicker than with PRK or LASEK
Toledo LASIK & Cataract surgeon Dr. William Wiley is part of an elite group of surgeons who offer the SMILE procedure to their patients. We are now accepting consultations for the procedure. Schedule a consultation or read further for frequently asked questions.
