ReLEx SMILE in Iran
ReLEx SMILE in Iran (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive laser eye surgery technique used to correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The procedure was developed as an alternative to more invasive techniques like LASIK and PRK.
ReLEx SMILE is a minimally invasive laser eye surgery procedure used to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. It stands for Refractive Lenticule Extraction Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. It is a flapless procedure that uses a femtosecond laser to create a disc-shaped lenticule within the cornea, which is then removed through a small incision to reshape the cornea and correct vision.
Some advantages of ReLEx SMILE in Iran over other laser eye surgery techniques include:
1. Minimally Invasive: The procedure requires only a small incision, which reduces the risk of complications and speeds up the healing process.
2. Less Dry Eye: Since there is no flap created (as in LASIK), fewer corneal nerves are disrupted, which reduces the risk of dry eye symptoms.
3. Corneal Stability: The cornea remains relatively more stable after SMILE compared to LASIK, as more of the corneal structure is preserved.
4. Less Postoperative Discomfort: Patients often report less discomfort and faster recovery compared to other laser eye surgery techniques.
However, ReLEx SMILE in Iran may not be suitable for everyone. It is essential to consult with an experienced ophthalmologist to determine if SMILE is the right choice for your specific vision needs.
ReLEx SMILE procedure
The SMILE procedure involves the use of a femtosecond laser to create a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue (called a lenticule) within the cornea. The laser also creates a small incision on the corneal surface. The surgeon then removes the lenticule through the incision, which reshapes the cornea and corrects the refractive error. The incision is self-healing and usually does not require stitches.
Some key points about ReLEx SMILE in Iran:
• It is a flapless procedure, so it does not require creating and lifting a flap in the cornea like LASIK. This leads to potentially less dry eye problems and less risk of flap complications.
• It uses a femtosecond laser to create a lenticule within the cornea, which is then removed. This is a very precise method and can provide very accurate vision correction.
• It requires only a small incision of about 2-3 millimeters, so recovery of vision and healing is often faster than LASIK.
• It can treat a wide range of nearsightedness and astigmatism, from low to high refractive errors.
• It provides very good quality of vision like other advanced laser procedures. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better following the procedure.
• It has a very good safety profile but like any surgery, there are potential risks like infection, dry eyes, and vision quality issues that patients need to discuss with their doctor.
• It is more expensive than LASIK but provides benefits of a flapless procedure. Many practices now offer affordable payment plans to make the procedure more accessible.
• Follow up care and eye drop usage is typically less than required for LASIK. Most people experience a quick recovery and visual rehabilitation.
• Retreatment if needed is also flapless and precise using the femtosecond laser. Retreatment rates are typically low, under 5% for most surgeons.
Those are some of the key highlights of the ReLEx SMILE in Iran procedure. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
What is the recovery time of ReLEx SMILE procedure?
The recovery after ReLEx SMILE in Iran procedure is typically very quick. Some key points about the recovery:
• Vision recovers rapidly. Most patients experience clear vision on the day of the procedure or by the next day. It may feel a bit scratchy or gritty initially but clears up fast.
• Eye irritation and redness subside within a few days. Mild irritation from the procedure usually improves quickly with the use of lubricating eye drops.
• Need for prescription eye drops is minimal, usually only for a week. Unlike LASIK, SMILE requires little long term use of steroids or antibiotics.
• Normal activity can be resumed within a couple of days. Driving and most activities like desk work can be resumed within 2-3 days. Vigorous exercise and swimming should be avoided for 1-2 weeks.
• Dry eye symptoms are usually transient. Some patients may experience mild dryness for a few weeks due to the small incision and alteration in corneal shape. Lubricating drops help relieve the discomfort until the eyes adjust.
• Eyes stabilize within the first 3 months. Vision can fluctuate slightly within the first few weeks but then stabilizes to the final corrected level after about 3 months. Some continued improvement in quality of vision may be noticeable over the first 6 months.
• Follow up visits are typically scheduled for the next day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. Enhancement or touch-up treatments if needed are usually not considered until 3-6 months to allow for complete healing and stabilization.
Overall, the fast visual recovery, minimal discomfort, and low maintenance make the aftercare of ReLEx SMILE in Iran quite appealing to most patients. Of course, as with any medical procedure, some patients may experience longer or variable recovery times and it is best to discuss your specific situation with your eye doctor. But in general, the quick recovery of normal activities within a few days and vision stabilization within 3-6 months can be expected.
Is there any age limit for SMILE ReLEx LASER treatment?
It can be done above 18 yrs up to 40 years. However, eligibility has to be determined through a series of tests.
Is there any diet restriction?
No, there is no diet restriction. You can have a normal diet.
How much time does ReLEx SMILE in Iran take?
15-20 minutes for both the eyes.
Is ReLEx SMILE a permanent treatment?
ReLEx SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a type of refractive eye surgery that uses a femtosecond laser to create a small incision in the cornea and remove a small amount of tissue to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness).
Like other forms of refractive eye surgery, ReLEx SMILE is intended to provide long-lasting vision correction, but it is not necessarily a permanent treatment. Your eyes can continue to change over time, and age-related changes such as presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects) can also affect your vision. Therefore, some people may need additional corrective procedures or glasses later in life.
That being said, ReLEx SMILE has a high success rate and most people experience significant improvement in their vision after the procedure. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of ReLEx SMILE with a qualified eye surgeon to determine if it is the right option for you.
ReLEx SMILE vs femtosecond laser
ReLEx SMILE and femtosecond laser are both types of refractive eye surgery that use a femtosecond laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness). However, there are some differences between the two procedures.
ReLEx SMILE in Iran is a newer and less invasive procedure than femtosecond laser, and it involves creating a small incision in the cornea and removing a small amount of tissue to reshape the cornea. In contrast, femtosecond laser creates a flap in the cornea, which is then lifted to allow for the reshaping of the cornea.
One advantage of ReLEx SMILE over femtosecond laser is that it requires a smaller incision, which may lead to faster healing and fewer post-operative complications such as dry eye. ReLEx SMILE may also be a better option for people with thin corneas, as it removes less tissue than femtosecond laser.
On the other hand, femtosecond laser has been used for longer and has a longer track record of success. It may also be a better option for people with certain types of vision problems or corneal irregularities.
Ultimately, the choice between ReLEx SMILE and femtosecond laser will depend on your specific needs and the recommendations of your eye surgeon. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of both procedures with a qualified eye surgeon to determine which option is best for you.
ReLEx SMILE vs Lasik
ReLEx SMILE and LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) are both types of refractive eye surgery that use lasers to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. However, there are some differences between the two procedures.
One of the main differences between ReLEx SMILE and LASIK is the way the laser is used. In LASIK, a flap is created in the cornea using a microkeratome or femtosecond laser, and then an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. In ReLEx SMILE, a femtosecond laser is used to create a small incision in the cornea, and then a lenticule (a small, contact lens-shaped piece of tissue) is removed to reshape the cornea.
Another difference between the two procedures is the amount of tissue that is removed from the cornea. In LASIK, a larger amount of tissue is typically removed from the cornea than in ReLEx SMILE. This can make ReLEx SMILE a better option for people with thin corneas or those who are not good candidates for LASIK.
ReLEx SMILE may also have some advantages over LASIK in terms of postoperative discomfort and recovery time. Because ReLEx SMILE only requires a small incision, there may be less discomfort and a faster recovery time than with LASIK.
Ultimately, the choice between ReLEx SMILE and LASIK will depend on your specific needs and the recommendations of your eye surgeon. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of both procedures with a qualified eye surgeon to determine which option is best for you.
ReLEx SMILE is less invasive than LASIK
The SMILE eye surgery will create an incision of about 4mm. Hence, SMILE will actually have 80% smaller side-cut on the corneal compared to LASIK and able to preserve the anterior corneal structure better.
Types of eye surgery in Türkiye
