What is the ReLEx SMILE method?

ReLEx stands for “refractive lens extraction” and SMILE for “small incision lens extraction.”
This is the so-called keyhole procedure:

The femtosecond laser forms a lens on the cornea, which, when removed, changes the shape of the cornea so that the vision defect is corrected.
The surface of the eye does not need to be bent back.
The lenticule is simply removed through a two-millimeter incision – the keyhole.

ReLEx smile laser eye surgery EyeLaser laser eye surgery treatment Vienna – Zurich

ReLEx laser smile correction, laser eye surgery with femtosecond laser only, treatment without flap (minimally invasive) laser correction).
Technology from Carl Zeiss

Extraction of the lens to free you from glasses: SmartSight in EyeLaser

For various reasons, we at EyeLaser in Vienna and Linz use SmartSight procedure for lens removal.
The ReLEx SMILE (Pro) from ZEISS, Clear from ZIEMER and SmartSight from SCHWIND are very similar in terms of the way they are performed.

The key difference is the femtosecond laser.
The innovative features of the SCHWIND ATOS laser make EyeLaser treatment safer, more precise and more comfortable:

  • Connecting to diagnostic devices
  • Safety with eye tracking and cyclotorsion compensation
  • Comfortable thanks to the curved contact element
  • Tissue-friendly thanks to optimized lens geometry
  • Automatic centering even with severe astigmatism
Here, we will only explain the ReLEx SMILE (Pro) procedure and transparently present its benefits, processes, requirements, risks, and features.

Requirements for ReLEx SMILE: Am I eligible?

Eligibility is checked individually during our free and non-binding eligibility test in Vienna or Linz.
However, there are signs that you can check yourself to see if you meet the requirements for ReLEx SMILE (Pro):

  • Myopia: -2 to -10 diopters
  • Corneal curvature: up to -5 diopters
  • Sufficiently thick and properly shaped cornea
  • Stable visual impairment (for at least 12 months)
  • At least 18 years old
  • Also for people with dry eyes

Neither ReLEx SMILE nor SmartSight can currently correct farsightedness.
This requires another method of laser eye or lens surgery, such as Femto-LASIK or lens implantation.

Reasons for exclusion may include pregnancy, degenerative corneal diseasescataracts and too thin cornea.
In the case of cataracts, replacing the lens with multifocal lenses is an opportunity to replace the cloudy lens and correct all visual defects at the same time.

Free aptitude test in Vienna and Linz: make an appointment now

Ready for a better quality of life with the 3rd generation of laser eye surgery?
At the EyeLaser clinics in Vienna and Linz, you can find out if you are suitable for lens removal – with our SmartSight.
Based on a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, we will find the treatment that is right for your eyes and your life together!

Aptitude test
0 €
Preliminary examination
200 €

The benefits of ReLEx SMILE (Pro) at a glance:

Precise vision correction

Removal of a precisely fitted corneal lens to correct visual defects (myopia and astigmatism).

Safe without a lid

A two-millimeter incision instead of large-scale corneal folding.
This significantly reduces the risk and speeds up the healing process.

More vision at once

You will be able to see better immediately after the procedure.
Enjoy unrestricted, permanent vision in one to three days.
Sometimes this process can take several weeks, but this is rare and depends on the separability of the tissues.

Precise vision correction

Removal of a precisely fitted corneal lens to correct visual defects (myopia and astigmatism).

Safe without a lid

A two-millimeter incision instead of large-scale corneal folding.
This significantly reduces the risk and speeds up the healing process.

More vision at once

You will be able to see better immediately after the procedure.
Enjoy unrestricted, permanent vision in one to three days.
Sometimes this process can take several weeks, but this is rare and depends on the separability of the tissues.

Treatment procedure: Vision correction with ReLEx SMILE

ReLEx SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis.
The procedure takes only 15 minutes, is painless, silent and odorless.

Preliminary examination

During the preliminary examination, a detailed examination of the eye is performed and various diagnostic devices are used to determine the key data that will be needed for the laser adjustment.
These include, but are not limited to

  • Visual acuity
  • Durability of glasses
  • Corneal thickness
  • Corneal topography

You will also be transparently informed about the risks of ReLEx SMILE treatment so that you can take this step in a good mood.
Together with your doctor, you will develop an individual treatment plan, provide rules of behavior in the days leading up to the procedure, and schedule the procedure.

At the EyeLaser centers in Vienna and Linz, we will gladly take the time to collect all the data, select the best procedure, and then answer all your questions within about two hours.

Minimally invasive procedure
  • Preparing for the operation

The entire procedure takes about two hours.
Your face is disinfected and cleaned.
You will also be given anesthetic eye drops to make the ReLEx SMILE procedure painless.

  • Chop the lentils

The femtosecond laser forms a pre-calculated lens in the cornea in a matter of seconds and makes an incision (2-3 millimeters long).
The lenticule is formed in such a way that the cornea changes so that the visual defect disappears.

  • Lenticular extraction

The lens is removed from the eye through a tiny incision.
The incision no longer needs to be closed, it heals on its own.
You will be given an antibiotic beforehand to prevent inflammation.

Postoperative care

Immediately after the procedure, the eyes may water, burn, and itch.
After 30 minutes, you can do light sports and take a shower.
However, you should take care of your eyes for several days to allow the incision to heal and the cornea to regenerate.
Three regular follow-up visits are scheduled at the EyeLaser clinic in Vienna:

  1. One day after the lentils are removed
  2. One month after lentil extraction
  3. Six months after lentil extraction

However, we are also available to answer any questions or concerns you may have outside of the scope of the audit and will resolve them as soon as possible.

Among other things, the prescribed medications ensure rapid healing without complications:

  • Antibiotics/cortisone against inflammation (prophylactically)
  • Painkillers as needed
  • Eye drops according to the instillation scheme

The process of healing, adaptation and stabilization of the eye can take several weeks.
However, you will have clear vision immediately after the procedure.
After three days, you will be able to see more clearly than ever before.

The cost of removing the SmartSight / ReLex SMILE lens on EyeLaser

SmartSight
2500 €
  • Price per eye
  • Payment in installments from 48 € /month*
  • 3rd generation of laser eye surgery
  • No flap, safe and effective
  • Fast healing & immediate sharp vision
  • Warranty available for 1, 3 or 5 years
SmartSight
2500 €
  • Price per eye
  • Payment in installments from 48 € /month*
  • 3rd generation of laser eye surgery
  • No flap, safe and effective
  • Fast healing & immediate sharp vision
  • Warranty available for 1, 3 or 5 years

Lens mining financing: as flexible as your life

We realize that laser eye surgery is not cheap.
Still, we want to give as many people as possible the extra quality of life they need.
For those who cannot or do not want to pay all the costs at once, we offer installment plans – without a bank.

  • Term: 6 months
  • Percentage: 0
  • Additional costs: 0 euros

Monthly payment: 416 euros

Cheaper than going to a restaurant with your family:

Lower payments, more time to repay and less financial burden.
Together with our partner bank, we can offer you a five-year loan with an effective annual interest rate of 6.6%, subject to your creditworthiness.

With SmartSight treatment, this means you only pay48 €

Does lentil extraction give better results?

At the EyeLaser clinics in Vienna and Linz, we will find the right treatment method that will give you a free, independent life without visual aids, without obligation and free of charge.

Aptitude test
gratis

Includes all fast screening examinations (automatic diopter measurement, 3D corneal image) + a personal consultation and discussion of the methods in question

Voruntersuchung
200 €*

Holistic eye examination and creation of an individual treatment plan.

Aptitude test
gratis

Includes all fast screening examinations (automatic diopter measurement, 3D corneal image) + a personal consultation and discussion of the methods in question

Voruntersuchung
200 €*

Holistic eye examination and creation of an individual treatment plan.

*If you decide in favor of treatment at EyeLaser, these costs will be deducted from the cost of laser eye surgery.

Expenses covered by health insurance for ReLEx SMILE:

Refractive vision correction with laser eye surgery is often not classified as a “medically necessary procedure” by health insurance companies in Austria.
For this reason, the insurance company usually does not pay.
However, there are exceptions in individual cases:

  • Intolerance to both glasses and contact lenses
  • Severe visual impairment (more than 10 diopters) and contact lens intolerance
  • Difference of more than 3 diopters between both eyes and contact lens intolerance

If one of these conditions is met, the costs may be fully or partially covered by your health insurance.
You have a better chance if you have supplemental insurance that covers the costs of laser eye surgery.

  • Make an optional request to your health insurance company.
  • Submit the necessary applications, cost estimates, and medical documentation.
  • Find out if the costs of ReLEx SMILE can be covered.

If one of these conditions is met, the costs may be fully or partially covered by your health insurance.
You have a better chance if you have supplemental insurance that covers the costs of laser eye surgery.

  1. Make an optional request to your health insurance company.
  1. Submit the necessary applications, cost estimates, and medical documentation.
  1. Find out if the costs of ReLEx SMILE can be covered.
  1. Make an optional request to your health insurance company.
  1. Submit the necessary applications, cost estimates, and medical documentation.
  1. Find out if the costs of ReLEx SMILE can be covered.

Insurance of our partners

We are proud to work with first-class private health insurers
Alianz logoUniqa logoCigna logoSVS logoBvaeb logo

State-of-the-art technology: ReLEx SMILE with VISUMAX femtosecond laser

The most advanced femtosecond laser from ZEISS is the VISUMAX 800. Compared to its predecessor, the VISUMAX 500, it has a significantly higher laser repetition rate and supports the surgeon with a number of innovative features.
This is why papillae extraction with the 800 is called ReLEx SMIL Pro.
The entire procedure is performed with a single femtolaser – without an excimer laser and
without a scalpel.

  • High cutting precision thanks to a focused laser beam
  • Optimized contact lenses in different sizes with curves for a comfortable fit
  • Visual inspection with a ZEISS surgical microscope
  • Intelligent design for continuous monitoring of patient and eye position
  • High cutting speed due to high laser frequency
  • Slot lighting for continuous inspection
  • Intuitive operation and optimized software

Technical specifications: VISUMAX 500

  • Maximum laser refresh rate: 500 kHz
  • Wavelength: 1043 nm
  • Pulse duration: 220-580 fs

Technical specifications: VISUMAX 800

  • Maximum.
    Repetition rate of the laser: 2 MHz
  • Wavelength: 1043 nm
  • Pulse duration: 220-580 fs

After ReLEx SMILE laser vision correction: The healing process and risks

Thanks to the minimal incision, the eye heals relatively quickly after ReLEx SMILE, and you can quickly return to your normal life. Immediately after surgery, you may experience some tearing and itching. To ensure a smooth healing process, you will be prescribed antibiotics, eye drops, including an individualized dropping plan, and pain medication if necessary. As soon as you leave the EyeLaser laser vision correction center in Vienna, you will be able to see much better than before. It takes a maximum of three days to achieve final visual acuity. During the first few weeks, you may experience slight fluctuations in visual acuity Let’s go.
However, they quickly stabilize, and you can do without glasses and contact lenses entirely.

What you need to know about the risks:

Even though SMILE has only been in use for a little over 10 years, it is becoming apparent that this method is extremely safe and low-risk Yes.
However, it is also true that each procedure is associated with a certain risk of complications.

  • Low risk of excessive or insufficient correction.
  • Post-correction is only possible with conventional laser eye treatment (e.g. Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK).
  • Scratches and tears at the incision site.
  • Impaired vision at dusk and at night – accompanied by sensitivity to glare.
  • Temporary sensation of a foreign body in the eye and dry eye.
  • Complications associated with lens removal.

In general, ReLEx SMILE is superior to LASIK, in particular because there is no “flap” that is folded over a large area.The frequency of complications low level of complications and even if problems occur, they disappear on their own or can be eliminated with further treatment.
You will receive comprehensive information about all the risks of ReLEx SMILE from your surgeon before the procedure.

SmartSight or ReLEx SMILE (Pro)?

Currently, there are three most common lentil extraction methods on the market: SmartSight, Clear and ReLEx SMILE (Pro)..
Alle Verfahren sind medizinisch anerkannt und wirksam.
Sie haben ihre Daseinsberechtigung und sind legitime Behandlungen.

The mechanism of action and effectiveness are comparable.
Methods and, above all, lasers differ in nuances.
Ultimately, the experience and qualifications of surgeons, the choice of the appropriate treatment method and medical equipment play a decisive role.

EyeLaser relies on SmartSight: patients rely on EyeLaser

At EyeLaser Vienna, we prefer and use – among other things, due to the wide range of functions and tissue-friendly technology SCHWIND ATOS (cyclotorsion compensation, eye tracking, automatic centering, lens geometry), we prefer the SmartSight method for lens extraction.

  • Maximum security
  • The best results
  • Exceptional accuracy

Sign up for a consultation right now and find out if and how SmartSight can help you start a new life without glasses and contact lenses.

Questions and answers about ReLEx SMILE

Is ReLEx SMILE better than LASIK?

Not always.
In some cases, Femto-LASIK 7D is a better treatment than SMILE.
This is especially true if you need to correct farsightedness.
This is not yet possible.
In many other groups of cases, lens extraction is the best option because the incision is much smaller and therefore the risk of complications and healing time are significantly reduced.
ReLEx SMILE is more precise and gentle on the tissue due to the exclusive use of a femtosecond laser, and no flap is created as with Femto-LASIK 7D.
This eliminates all the risks associated with a flap.

During the preliminary examination, we will individually determine whether lens extraction or LASIK is more suitable for you, based on your measurements and your circumstances.

How much does ReLEx SMILE cost?

It depends on the service provider – usually from 1,800 to 3,000 euros per eye.
When it comes to laser eye surgery, you don’t want to skimp on the wrong things.
A one-time procedure gives you long-term freedom and independence, which is priceless.

At EyeLaser, we rely on SmartSight when it comes to lens extraction.
Accordingly, we cannot independently price the ReLEx SMILE method.
Usually, the price difference between SmartSight and ReLEx SMILE is not very large, provided that the operation is performed in a clinic with similar conditions (location, experience, equipment, medical standards, etc.).
It is important to make sure that the cost of treatment covers the entire procedure, including preparation and follow-up visits.
preparation and follow-up appointments.
Otherwise, additional costs must be added to compare prices.

How long does it take to fully restore vision after ReLEx SMILE?

The modern technique ensures that you will be able to see much better immediately after the surgery.
In order for you to enjoy your sharp vision, your brain has to get used to the changed visual perception.
This usually takes a few days – up to 3 days.
After that, you can enjoy the finer things in life without glasses or contact lenses.

What do I need to pay attention to after papillae extraction?

Immediately after surgery, take care of your eyes and preferably wear sunglasses.
On the day of surgery, do not drive and refrain from working with heavy machinery.
Unlike many other procedures, light exercise and showering are allowed immediately.
You should wait two weeks before visiting a sauna, swimming pool, or solarium.
Depending on your occupation, you may be able to return to work within a few days after the procedure.
This may not be the case if you work in a very “dirty” environment and/or there is a risk of physical impact on the operated eye.

Your surgeon will provide you with comprehensive and individualized information before and after minimally invasive surgery on what to look for to ensure that healing goes quickly and without complications.

Is ReLEx SMILE painless?

Yes.
All lens removal procedures are painless for the patient.
Before the lens is formed and removed, the patient is instilled with anesthetic eye drops.
They work so effectively that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure – a slight pressure sensation is normal.
As soon as the anesthetic wears off, the eyes may water, itch, and hurt a little.
However, these effects pass quickly, and if necessary, patients are given appropriate eye drops, antibiotics, and painkillers.

What is the difference between the ZEISS VISUMAX 500 and 800?

The ZEISS VISUMAX 500 is the predecessor to the VISUMAX 800.
The treatment procedure remains the same, although the new model is equipped with some features that make the procedure even safer, more accurate and easier.
The main difference is that the frequency of laser pulses in VISUMAX 800 is much higher.
However, in principle, effective lentil extraction can be performed with both femtosecond lasers.

Get to know the eye experts

Discover Austria’s most popular laser eye surgeons in the heart of Vienna and Linz

Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Ophthalmologist, Refractive surgery specialist
FEBO

After learning his trade from the two pioneers of laser surgery,
Dr Victor Derhartunian is among the leading surgeons in Europe. He heads the practice in Vienna and can advise his patients in 5 languages.

Learn more
Dr. Paul Jirak
Ophthalmologist, Refractive surgery specialist
FEBO

Dr. Paul Jirak is a co-founder of one of the most renowned centers for laser eye surgery in Austria and has been treating patients in Linz since 2014. He specialises in ophthalmology, optometry, eye surgery and eye lasers.

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Assoc. Prof. Priv. Doz. Dr. Christina Leydolt
Ophthalmologist, Lens & cataract surgery specialist
FEBO

Dr. Leydolt is an ophthalmologist specialised in cataract and lens surgery. She leads a research group with this focus, trains young surgeons and gives international and national lectures.

Learn more
Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Ophthalmologist, Refractive surgery specialist
FEBO

After learning his trade from the two pioneers of laser surgery,
Dr Victor Derhartunian is among the leading surgeons in Europe. He heads the practice in Vienna and can advise his patients in 5 languages.

Learn more
Dr. Paul Jirak
Ophthalmologist, Refractive surgery specialist
FEBO

Dr. Paul Jirak is a co-founder of one of the most renowned centers for laser eye surgery in Austria and has been treating patients in Linz since 2014. He specialises in ophthalmology, optometry, eye surgery and eye lasers.

Learn more
Assoc. Prof. Priv. Doz. Dr. Christina Leydolt
Ophthalmologist, Lens & cataract surgery specialist
FEBO

Dr. Leydolt is an ophthalmologist specialised in cataract and lens surgery. She leads a research group with this focus, trains young surgeons and gives international and national lectures.

Learn more