ReLEx SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) involves using a femtosecond laser to create a corneal lenticule which is extracted whole through a small incision. Standard LASIK involives the cutting of a corneal flap. In ReLEx SMILE, however, an incision 10 times smaller than the LASIK corneal flap is made which can not only minimize corneal damage and reduce dry eyes, but is also studier to external shock.
An accurate centration is directly linked to the safety and the outcome of the laser surgery. EYEREUM uses SCOUT to measure the cornea shape and the accurate corneal offset in order to perform a safe surgery. With the results of various preliminary examinations, your private surgeon can determine the offset of the lenticule.
Reducing the margin of error in finding the offset leads to a clear and sharp vision and this depends on the expertise and experience of your surgeon.
ReLEx SMILE doesn’t ablate any corneal tissue like the standard LASIK, but instead breaks the molecular bonds in the cornea without causing any collateral damage, thus the corneal stiffness is preserved. However, the corneal volume before surgery and the volume of the lenticule being removed have to be thoroughly checked beforehand. This allows your specialist to design a complete tailored surgery in order to minimize the loss of corneal stiffness and prevent keratoconus.
▲ The relationship between the removed cornea and the corneal stiffness during LASIK SMILE /
From a thesis written by Dr. Dan Reinstein
As ReLEx Smile creates a 2 mm corneal micro-tunnel through which the lenticule is extracted. This causes less disturbance to the corneal nerves and induces less dry-eyes than LASIK.
▲ SMILE Cuts fewer anterior nerves
▲ SMILE induces less dry-eye than LASIK.
Dan Z Reinstein - smile history, fundametals of a new refractive surgery technic and clinical outcomes.
ReLEx Smile, however, isn’t safe for everyone. EYEREUM will guide you through some evaluations to test for both quantitative (refraction) and qualitative (quality of vision) functions to see if you are eligible for ReLEx Smile. EYEREUM usually recommends SMILE to those with the following conditions.
- 01Corneal thickness : more than 500㎛
- 02A normal shaped anterior/front and posterior/back cornea
- 03Dry-eye test (Schirmer test) : less than 5 mm
- 04Having only one day to recover
- 05Corneal offset: less than 250㎛
However, ReLEx SMILE maybe restricted to those with myopia greater than -5D and astigmatism greater than 10D.
The Chief Director of EYEREUM, Dr. David Kang(David Sung Yong Kang) was appointed International Speaker from the world leading Zeiss German headquarters for his extraordinary medical techniques and skills. Dr. David Kang(David Sung Yong Kang) is still working together with Zeiss in the study of HOA occurring after having undergone SMILE and has presented these studies in several international conferences sponsored by ZEISS.
