FAQs for ReLEx® SMILE Pro
1.What is ReLEx® SMILE Pro?
ReLEx SMILE PRO (VISUMAX®800) is the latest version of the ReLEx SMILE technique.
Both have the same sophistication. However, the difference is that ReLEx SMILE PRO (VISUMAX® 800) is faster in making lenticules, only about 8 seconds.
Meanwhile ReLEx SMILE takes about 24 seconds. ReLEx SMILE Pro (VISUMAX® 800) is also known as ‘keyhole’ surgery by making an incision the size of a keyhole so that the recovery time is faster.
2. What is the ReLEx® SMILE Pro procedure like?
Step 1: Visumax makes a refractive lenticule (thin corneal tissue shaped like a lens) at the base of the inner layer of the cornea and a 4 mm corneal incision is formed.
Step 2: The refractive lenticule is removed and removed through a small corneal incision. The structure of the cornea is maintained & stable because no flap is made.
Step 3: Taking the lenticule changes the way light enters the eye, allowing the eye to see clearly without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. This small corneal incision can heal on its own.
3. Does ReLEx® SMILE Pro hurt?
The ReLEx® SMILE Pro procedure is of course painless. Before the procedure, you will be given topical anesthesia in the form of eye drops. There are no injections at all nor does it require general anesthesia. You will be aware during the entire procedure.
4. What examinations are needed before undergoing ReLEx® SMILE Pro surgery?
There are 8 pre-ReLEx® SMILE Pro checks:
- Subjective and objective refraction
- Eyeball pressure
- Check the length of the eyeball axis
- Photo of the eye nerve/photo of the fundus
- Tear quality and production
- PENTACAM (corneal thickness)
- Check GDS (Blood Sugar)
- Physical examination of the eyes
5. How long does the ReLEx® SMILE Pro procedure take?
ReLEx® SMILE Pro is an all-in-one laser procedure that takes about 5 minutes/eye. The laser process itself only lasts 8 seconds/eye
6. ReLEx® SMILE Pro can remove minus & cylinder up to what size?
With the VISUMAX machine, the refractive errors that can be eliminated are a maximum of Minus -10D, Cylinder -5D.
7. What must be considered after using ReLEx® SMILE Pro?
In principle, your eyes need to be used to see as soon as possible to speed up adaptation to your new vision. But, remember:
- Don’t rub your eyes
- Do not get water in the eyes
- Do not apply make-up around the eyes
8. After ReLEx® SMILE Pro, can I go straight to my activities?
Basically there are no restrictions on activities and your eyes must be used to see as soon as possible so that the adaptation period for your eyes will be faster.
Avoid dusty, smoky places, don’t do extreme sports, don’t rub your eyes, don’t swim, or use make-up for two weeks.
9. What’s so special about ReLEx® SMILE Pro compared to regular LASIK?
- Minimally Invasive: Compared to LASIK, the corneal incision on ReLEx® SMILE Pro is 80% smaller. A 20 mm incision is required to make a flap in LASIK, but with ReLEx® SMILE Pro the corneal incision is only 4 mm.
- Bladeless: The action on ReLEx® SMILE Pro does not use a knife because ReLEx® SMILE Pro uses Visumax so that the healing process & phase takes place faster.
- Painless: Because the ReLEx® SMILE Pro process does not require an opening in the cornea and is a minimally invasive procedure so patients feel more comfortable and do not experience pain.
- Flapless: There will be no complications associated with the flap, such as a shifted flap or a creased flap.
- Maintain Corneal Structure: Because there is no flap, the upper corneal structure is left untouched so that the cornea is more stable.
- Reducing the Risk of Dry Eyes after Surgery: Reducing complaints of dry eyes after surgery because there is no action on the upper corneal structure.
- Night Vision: Reduces optical aberration that occurs because there are no flaps on ReLEx® SMILE Pro.
10. What requirements must I meet before taking ReLEx® SMILE Pro?
The pre-ReLEx® SMILE Pro examination is very careful and if the patient is not a candidate for ReLEx® SMILE Pro, the doctor will not proceed. Following are some of the ReLEx® SMILE Pro requirements:
- Patients must be 18 years of age or older.
- Healthy eye condition.
- Have stable vision (glass size in the last 6 months to 1 year stable)
- Not currently breastfeeding or pregnant.
- Have no cornea disease, significant retinal degeneration, severe eye dryness etc.
- Do not have systemic diseases that affect eye conditions such as Lupus, Diabetes Mellitus with uncontrolled sugar levels etc.
- If you use a soft lens, take it off for at least 2 weeks.
- If you use a hard lens, take it off for at least 3 weeks.
11. ReLEx® SMILE Pro side effects?
The side effects of ReLEx® SMILE Pro are different for each person, but what patients usually experience is a feeling of glare, a feeling of dryness. All of these side effects are usually temporary and will fade away a few months after ReLEx® SMILE Pro.
12. How long does the recovery process take after undergoing ReLEx® SMILE Pro?
This is very subjective and depends on each patient but in general:
- For the first 2-3 hours after ReLEx® SMILE Pro, your vision will be a bit cloudy and uncomfortable.
- Within 24 hours, the patient enjoyed much better visual acuity than when he wore glasses, but there were still side effects such as dryness and glare.
- The first week is getting clearer but still a little unstable.
- The second and following weeks the vision will become clearer until the patient can enjoy free vision without glasses.
13. What if my myopia returns after post LASIK?
In general, if you maintain your lifestyle and eye health, your eyes will not return to minus. However, we have a Lifetime Protection program with terms and conditions that apply. Click here to find out more.
14. Where can I get ReLEx® SMILE Pro?
Ciputra SMG Eye Clinic Jakarta and Surabaya.