Next Generation ReLEx SMILE Technology Era in Laser Eye Treatments


Equipped with the high-end ophthalmic instruments that produced by the latest technologies, Near East university Hospital is proud of being the only and first hospital in Cyprus to offer ReLEx SMILE, world class laser eye surgery technology. Based on thoroughly comprehensive screening processes, Near East University Hospital offers individual eye treatment plans tailored precisely for each patient.

After the procedure, the need for wearing eyeglasses or lenses has been eliminated in 100% patients admitted to Near East University Hospital...
Touching upon the continuous developments of laser eye treatments since the beginning of 90s, Professor KorayKaradayı, Head of the Department of Eye Diseases of Near East University underlines that ReLEx SMILE, which is a next generation laser eye surgery, represents the beginning of a new era in refractive laser eye surgery as it allows correction of even higher myopia and astigmatism. Professor Karadayı also draws attention to the significant advantages of ReLEx SMILE in the patient’s comfort and safety.

Prof. Dr. Koray Karadayı: "ReLEx Smile Surgery technology allows correction of eye defects such as myopia and astigmatism"
Stating that ReLEx SMILE laser surgery was a technic that developed in 2000s, Professor Karadayı highlighted that ReLExis a bladeless, flapless and painless refractive procedure, which provides more accurate and safer laser eye treatments and allows treating even higher myopia and astigmatism and those with dry eyes. Professor Karadayı also underlines that Near East University Hospital offers ReLEx SMILE, World Class Eye Surgery Technology and individual eye treatment plans thattailored precisely for each patient.“ReLEx SMILE is a keyhole procedure which eliminates the need for corneal flap as in LASIK and also eliminates the prolonged healing time associated LASEK / PRK. He also notes that the whole procedure is performed in one step by ReLEx SMILE. "With ReLEx SMILE, no flap is needed and the healing period is faster than conventional LASIK. Only one femtosecond laser is used for the entire procedure.A 2-4 mm incision is made along with the creation of a pre-calculated mini lens tissue or lenticule inside the cornea. The lens tissue or lenticule is then removed through the tiny incision. Once removed the shape of the cornea is changed which results in the correct refractive outcome. The vision is corrected.The patients that admitted to Near East University with refractive eye defects were treated successfully and their visions were corrected 100% by using the next generation ReLEx SMILE Laser Eye Surgery technology” said he.

Prof. Dr. Koray Karadayı:"The third generation ReLEx SMILE Laser Eye Surgery technology, which removes all problems associated with PRK and LASIK treatments since the beginning of 2000s, has been developed"
Underlining that surgical procedures improve in the line with the developments in medicine, Professor Karadayı stated that this fact was valid for surgical procedures associated with visual defects.”First eyeglasses and then the miniature models of the same glasses; contact lenses designed to fit over the cornea began to be used to correct vision defects. Many patients with myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, who don't like wearing glasses, began to wear contact lenses.However, contact lenses had risks and caused side effects such as eye infections, scratches, eye dryness, and changes in vision over the course of the day. In the 80's, first-generation laser surgery"PRK Excimer Laser" was emerged as a technology to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. During PRK procedure, a particular kind of laser called an excimer laser removes corneal tissue by vaporizing it away. The resulting new corneal shape allows clear focus without glasses or contacts. As PRK laser treatment reshapes the top layers of the cornea, it causes discomfort, severe pain during the initial days of healing and often takes a week or more to achieve functional vision. PRK also has increased risks such as haze, inflammation, and post-surgery infection. Post-laser pain can be severe for several days and occasionally it is necessary to take strong painkillers. Another disadvantage is that this method can correct only moderate eye defects.In 90s, the second generation laser eye surgery LASIK emerged as a novel treatment option to correct eye defects. Contrary to PRK procedure, LASIK, gives almost instant visual results and discomfort during healing is rare. A femtosecond laser is used for creation the superficial clap of corneal tissue and then the excimer laser can reshape the underlying layers and bypass the superficial layers completely. So, two different lasers are used during the procedure. However, a patient needs to have adequate corneal thickness to create the flap, and this makes LASIK unsuitable for some thinner corneas. Patients with thin cornea may be at an increased risk for ectasia following LASIK. Besides, LASIC have risk for developing dry eye syndrome.In 2000s, ReLEx SMILE Laser Eye Surgery has developed as a novel technology that removes all the disadvantages associated with PRK and LASIK. SMILE laser removes corneal tissue in a different way compared to LASIK and PRK. An excimer laser is not used at all during this procedure.A femtosecond laser is used to define a tiny lens-shaped disc of tissue from within the cornea and this lenticule is removed through a keyhole (2-4mm) incision. The femtosecond laser is quiet, painless and there is no need to change from one laser to another during the procedure. SMILE laser gives excellent outcomes in correcting vision defects and has a very high safety profile. Currently, SMILE laser is the only available treatment technology for moderate to high levels of myopia and astigmatism as well as for dry eye syndrome” noted he.

Three common refractive eye defects; myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism
Stating that the first thing that comes to mind when describing refractive errors is the eye defects that can be corrected by prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, Professor Karadayı delivered brief information about the most common types of the refractive eye defects: "The most common types of refractive errors are myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition where objects up close appear clearly, while objects far away appear blurry. Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a common type of refractive error where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near.Astigmatism is a condition in which the eye does not focus light evenly onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This can cause images to appear blurry and stretched out.For all three refractive eye defects,the eye vision can be corrected by using different shape lenses. However, SMILE laser eye surgery corrects myopia and astigmatism 100% in a matter of minutes and eliminates the need of using any kinds of lenses”.

Advantages of ReLEx SMILE Laser Therapy;

  • Bladeless laser technology
  • Ability to treat in 22 sec (500 kHz fastest laser technology)
  • Incision-free operation
  • Superior protection in cornea biomechanics
  • As there is no creation of corneal flap during the procedure, there is no risk for a flap dislocation.
  • Comfort during and after treatment
  • Quick and quiet treatment
  • Fast and safe healing
  • Treatment opportunity for a wider range of patients, including those with very high prescription, those with dry eyes, thin corneas, contact lens intolerance, and for those found unsuitable for standard Laser Eye Surgery
  • The closest result to the natural structure of the eye

ReLEx SMILE Post-Surgery Considerations:

  • Some discomforts such as watery eyes and a slight burning sensation can be experienced over the first few hours. This is normal and usually fades away by the end of the day.
  • Wear good sunglasses.
  • Antibiotic eye drops and lubricating eye drops should be used as prescribed by the doctor.
  • Within the first 24 hours, you should avoid touching and rubbing your eyes vigorously and/or having bath.
  • You must avoid swimming in pool or sea at least three days.
  • You should keep strict to the typical post-operative follow-up schedule includes examinations and consultations with your doctor.