SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) eye surgery is a minimally invasive technique designed to correct refractive vision errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. Here’s a detailed look at the treatment, procedure, and types of SMILE surgery:
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Treatment Overview
SMILE Eye Surgery involves reshaping the cornea to correct vision. It is a modern alternative to traditional LASIK and PRK procedures. The main advantage of SMILE is that it does not require the creation of a corneal flap, which can reduce the risk of some complications associated with flap-based procedures.
Procedure
- Pre-Surgical Assessment:
- A comprehensive eye examination is performed to assess corneal thickness, eye health, and stability of the prescription.
- Measurements are taken to ensure the patient is a suitable candidate for SMILE.
- Anesthesia:
- Topical anesthesia is administered in the form of eye drops to numb the eye, making the procedure painless.
- Laser Application:
- A femtosecond laser (e.g., Zeiss VisuMax) is used to create a customed lenticule (a small disc-shaped piece of corneal tissue) based on the refraction of the eye within the cornea.
- The laser also creates a small incision (approximately 2-4 mm) through which the lenticule will be extracted.
- Lenticule Removal:
- Through the small incision, the surgeon carefully separates and removes the lenticule, which reshapes the cornea and corrects the refractive error.
- Post-Procedure:
- The incision heals naturally without the need for stitches. Patients typically experience rapid recovery, with many returning to normal activities within a day.
Types of SMILE Surgery
SMILE itself is a specific type of refractive surgery, but it can be differentiated from other laser eye procedures:
- ReLEx SMILE:
- ReLEx stands for Refractive Lenticular Extraction. SMILE is a small incision variant of ReLEx. The full term for SMILE is Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. It represents the standard SMILE procedure used to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism with minimal invasiveness.
- Comparison with Other Procedures:
- LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis): In LASIK, a flap is created in the cornea and lifted to allow an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. The flap is then replaced. LASIK generally offers a quick recovery but involves risks related to the corneal flap.
- PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): PRK involves removing the corneal epithelium (surface layer) and using an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The surface layer grows back over time, and the recovery is slower compared to SMILE and LASIK.
If you are looking for a SMILE Surgery from Board Certified Surgeon, you can find it on Khanna Vision Institute.