General information about lenticule extraction, the advantages and disadvantages, the healing process and possible complications can be found on our lenticule extraction overview page.
In the first treatment step, a small lenticule is separated from the cornea by the laser and a tiny access (incision) is created in the intact cornea. The lenticule can then be removed through this access. The small incision and the thin corneal slice are gentle on the tissue and hardly destabilize the cornea.
As the shape of the cornea changes with the removal of the lenticule, the defective vision is corrected. If the refractive correction is successful, the patient can see clearly without visual aids after the minimally invasive procedure.
Thanks to the high frequency of the femtosecond laser, the lenticule can be created in around 10 seconds and the incision takes around 5 seconds – with the VISUMAX 800. With the normal VISUMAX laser it takes around 30 seconds.
If the patient’s eye is healthy (apart from the visual defect to be corrected) and the visual defect has not changed within the last 12 months, lenticule extraction with the VISUMAX 800 is usually possible for the following visual defects:
Reasons for exclusion may be a cornea that is too thin or has a pre-existing condition. Pregnancy also speaks against ReLEx SMILE. Correction of long-sightedness is generally not possible with lenticule extraction.
Ziss was founded in 1846 and is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The company consists of many corporate groups, each of which specializes in the development, manufacture and sale of advanced products in the fields of medicine, photography, research and chip manufacturing. The femtosecond lasers originate from the medical technology division of Zeiss – Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. ReLEx SMILE has been approved in Germany since 2011.
The VISUMAX 800 is the further development of the VISUMAX 500 and is distinguished by a significantly higher laser repetition rate. The new version also supports the surgeon with a range of innovative features that make the operation more comfortable, more precise and therefore safer. For this reason, lenticule extraction with the 800 model is referred to as ReLEx SMILE Pro.
The VISUMAX 800 features the innovative OcuLign system, which ensures simple cyclotorsional alignment. The advantage is that the laser pattern can be rotated intuitively. Despite the complexity of this system, it is user-friendly and automatically recalculates the cutting pattern if a cyclotorsion needs to be thinned out.
The CentraLign system is used for optimal centering. The computer-controlled system uses the pupil center and vertex position to make centering easier for the surgeon when docking the contact element. By centering in advance, it is no longer necessary to adjust the incision pattern after docking.
The VISUMAX can be connected to the Zeiss Refractive Workplace, which simplifies data management. The OR documentation is automated and saved. The overall administrative effort is minimized. In addition, the VISUMAX 800 can be connected to other Zeiss products – e.g. diagnostic equipment. This speeds up processes and minimizes the likelihood of errors.
The three leading lenticule extraction procedures from Zeiss, Schwind, J&J and Ziemer are all performed with state-of-the-art femtosecond lasers. SmartSight, ReLEx SMILE Pro, Silk and Clear all have their place in refractive surgery and are considered safe and effective. Which laser an eye clinic ultimately chooses depends on the medical management, their preferences and orientation.
At EYELASER, we use SmartSight and the Schwind ATOS laser. We only provide information about the three most common procedures and the associated femtosecond lasers.
Dr. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS & Dr. Paul Jirak, FEBO, in Vienna & Linz – recognised by patients with the DocFinder Patients’ Choice Award
Dr. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS, heads EyeLaser Vienna and has performed more than 25,000 laser procedures. He advises patients in German, English, Polish and French.
Dr. Paul Jirak, FEBO, is a specialist in ophthalmology and co-founder of a laser eye surgery centre in Austria. He has been treating patients in Linz since 2014. His focus is eye surgery and laser eye surgery.
Dr. Leydolt is an ophthalmologist and specializes in cataract and lens surgery. She heads a research group with this focus, trains young surgeons and gives international lectures.
