-The Visumax Femtosecod Laser System is the latest addition in the world of refractive surgery. This award winning technique has significantly changed the way we perform refractive surgery for spectacle removal.

-In other techniques for spectacle removing refractive surgery, a flap is first cut from the cornea with a microkeratome or femtolaser, and raised. During this step, suction has to be applied to fixate the eye, which may lead to raised intra-ocular pressure. Then, using excimer laser, the corneal tissue is ablated (vaporized) to the calculated extent after which the flap is repositioned. In the immediate post-operative period, eye rubbing etc may result in this flap being displaced.

-On the other hand, the RELEX SMILE procedure is a single step, single laser procedure, performed on a single platform. It does not involve cutting of a flap, suction application, or ablation of corneal tissue. In SMILE, a small lenticule is cut precisely in the cornea by laser. This lenticule is gently and easily removed through a small 2mm. self-sealing incision. There is no pain. No flap is created, leading to less risk and complications. The predictable and swift procedure takes four minutes compared to 3 minutes by other methods. This FLAPLESS, BLADELESS,PAINLESS, KEYHOLE surgery is minimally invasive which offers quick recovery.

-Visumax is the only machine which allows us to perform this revolutionary surgery. It is considered to be the most safe, rapid, precise, risk-free and painless surgery for spectacle removal.

-Visumax SMILE offers a 100% BLADELESS treatment, in which a small lenticule is created by laser and extracted in an intact cornea.

-This single step, single laser, all-Femto procedure is FLAPLESS. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the cornea either with a microkeratome or a bladeless femto second laser. This flap can be easily displaced by eye rubbing after surgery. In SMILE, unlike LASIK, no flap is cut in the cornea, and the small lenticule is removed through a KEYHOLE incision. The self sealing micro incision is only one tenth the size of the microkeratome or bladeless flap. Hence the cornea is much more stable after SMILE surgery.

-The strength of the cornea is further preserved as the side incision (2mm) is only 10% that of the LASIK flap (20mm).

-The lamellar incision area is one third that of Femto Lasik or microkeratome Lasik. Only 10% Laser energy is used. All these factors help to maintain the stability leading to improved corneal biomechanics.

-This surgery is much less invasive. In LASIK, after creating and raising a flap in the cornea, the tissue is ablated or vaporized, after which the flap is replaced over this ablated area. In SMILE, there is no vaporization of tissue, and no Flap related risks, making it a very SAFE, RELIABLE and PRECISE procedure.

-It is PAINLESS. In LASIK, a suction of 600mm of Hg is needed for one to two minutes in order to fixate the eye to make the flap. It is this suction which leads to high intraocular pressure, frightening black-out of vision at that time and pain. In SMILE, a contact lens is applied at low pressure and there is no pain & black out.

-The entire surgery is a SINGLE STEP, SINGLE LASER performed all on one Laser platform. Thus the surgery is SWIFT, SAFE and EFFECTIVE.

-DRYNESS of eyes, commonly seen after LASIK, is much less with SMILE as the size of the cut is smaller and less corneal nerves are injured.

-No redness of eyes is experienced in the postoperative period. Discomfort, tearing and swelling is also much less and lasts for only four to six hours as compared to twenty four hours with other procedures.

-Being a flapless, non-invasive procedure, the risks are considerably reduced. Complications of flap such as dislodgement, displacement, uneven thickness of flap, striae & free flap are avoided. The incidence of infections or interface deposits is almost nil.

-Robust Technology: In SMILE, the laser energy used is ten times lower than with Excimer laser, leading to increased stability and precision. The Excimer laser is dependent on atmospheric humidity, temperature and aromatics, whereas the Visumax Femtosecond is more robust.

-Patients experience overall better quality of vision with SMILE than with any other procedure.

-As it is flap-free and minimally invasive it is better for sports persons, especially those engaged in contact sports.

-It is important to understand that the safety and excellent results with SMILE are due to very experienced surgeons, detailed selection of cases and the most highly advanced engineering and technology. These do add up to higher treatment costs. However the results speak for themselves. When it comes to vision, there should be no compromise.

Those patients who are not suitable for Lasik can undergo SMILE. This will be particularly beneficial to those patients who were still debating whether to get refractive surgery done or not & were fearing about the outcomes or flap related complications in Lasik. Now can go for SMILE procedure

-People with high powers achieve better quality of vision than with other procedures. They also have less chance of regression (number returning) as there is more corneal strength and stability.

-The procedure is preferred for those suffering from dry eyes.

-People engaged in contact and extreme sports; Army, Navy, Airforce or Police personnel; and frequent air travelers benefit immediately. They can even resume some level of activity on the next day as there are no chances of flap displacement.

At Cure Spects Eye Care (p) Ltd., a friendly staff and counselor will put you at ease. The pre-operative consultation will include:

1) Counselling on how the procedure is performed and its benefits.

2) Checking of your current spectacle power

3) Corneal Topography i.e. curvature mapping of the cornea

4) Dilatation and comprehensive check-up of the retina

5) One-on-one consultation with the chief surgeon

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET:

1) Bring your reference number and old files if any, even from other eye hospitals

2) Bring along your latest pair of spectacles

3) If using contact lenses, then you must stop wearing gas permeable hard lenses for three weeks and soft lenses for one week before coming for consultation.

4) The entire consultation and examination may take an hour. It is wise to bring someone to drive you back from the clinic as your eyes may be dilated and you will experience glare.

The whole process, from registration to discharge, will be completed in less than two hours.

Continue with all your other medications such as for Diabetes, Hypertension etc.

An attendant must accompany you.

All post-operative medications will be explained to you in detail by our staff. A file with the "do's and don'ts" will be provided and the contents explained to you.

You will be prescribed three types of eye drops:

1) Antibiotic eye drops - three times a day for fifteen days

2) Anti-inflammatory eye drops - four times a day for fifteen days

3) Tear Substitute eye drops - four times a day for two months

Do not swim or participate in any water sports for two weeks. Exercises and other sports can be started after a week.

You may have a bath below the neck on the next day. The face can be sponged. Hair can be shampooed after three days. Avoid getting water into the eyes for at least a week as the water in the water tank is not very clean.

After instilling the eye drops, the eyes must be cleaned only with sterilized cotton. Only a third of the eye drops instilled go into the eye. The remaining two thirds come out and needs to be wiped only with sterile cotton.

Your vision will improve from the next day and will continue to do so for a month. You will be able to pursue all routine activities from the next day.

This is a painless procedure, so the less tension and stress you have, the better the outcome. Leave all your worries at home before the procedure. Relax when you come in and SMILE when you leave the hospital after the procedure!