Now offering the new procedure ‘FORTIFIED LASIK.', the safest and most advanced LASIK procedure available!
Skip to main content

ReLEx SMILE: All About the Latest Advancement in Laser Vision Correction for Nearsightedness

ReLEx SMILE: All About the Latest Advancement in Laser Vision Correction for Nearsightedness

When you’re nearsighted, you can only see things clearly that are close to your eyes. If you need to view something that’s at a distance — such as a classroom blackboard or road signs while you’re driving — you definitely need glasses or contacts to correct your vision.

But you can get an easy procedure that will eliminate the need for nearsightedness vision correction altogether: ReLEx SMILE. This FDA-approved surgical method is minimally invasive, has an excellent long-term success rate, and the cost is similar to that of LASIK

Are you ready to learn more? Dr. Randa Garrana of Advanced Lasik is here to provide the answers.

What is ReLEx SMILE?

ReLEx SMILE is a laser-assisted vision correction procedure similar to LASIK in that it’s extremely quick and has the same postoperative recovery guidelines.

ReLEx SMILE is an abbreviation: ReLEx stands for “refractive lenticule extraction,” and the acronym SMILE means “small incision lenticule extraction.”

In everyday language, this means that Dr. Garrana uses a laser to create a thin lenticule and make a small incision in your cornea. She then removes the lenticule through the incision, using caution so as not to disrupt the cornea’s biomechanics. Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, providing the necessary vision correction.

The differences between ReLEx SMILE and LASIK

Since the cost is similar, why would you choose ReLEx SMILE over LASIK? There are several things that give ReLEx SMILE the edge.

When you decide to get surgical vision correction, it makes sense to choose the safest technique with the fewest downsides.

The potential risks of ReLEx SMILE

As with any surgery, ReLEx SMILE does carry some risks. Commonly reported side effects include:

While dry eye can occur during the recovery period after ReLEx SMILE, this risk is much lower with ReLEx SMILE than it is with LASIK.

Ideal candidates for ReLEx SMILE (and who should avoid it)

Before deciding to get ReLEx SMILE, it’s important to know who’s a good candidate for the procedure — and who isn’t. Ideal candidates for ReLEx SMILE include adults who:

ReLEx SMILE is also a good choice if you have other eye conditions that normally may preclude surgery, such as astigmatism or dry eye. This procedure can help those conditions, too.

However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for ReLEx SMILE. You shouldn’t have this procedure if you suffer from farsightedness, you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have uncontrolled vascular disease or diabetes.

If you’d like to learn more about ReLEx SMILE, Dr. Garrana and our team would love to hear from you. With two bicoastal offices located in the Midtown East section of New York City and Long Beach, California, Advanced Lasik is here for your advanced vision correction needs. Call or click online to schedule a consultation today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

ReLEx vs. LASEK: Is There a Difference?

ReLEx vs. LASEK: Is There a Difference?

Since the introduction of laser refractive surgery for vision correction, many improvements and refinements have entered the mainstream. ReLEx SMILE and LASEK built on the successes of earlier procedures. Let’s consider how the two compare.

Preventing Vision Loss From Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of type 1 or type 2 diabetes that damages blood vessels around the retina, or the image-forming tissue at the rear of the eyeball. Without treatment, it can lead to blindness. Learn more here.

Are Cataracts Inevitable with Increasing Age?

The most common type of cataract forms because of changes related to aging. While every patient has their own contributing factors, virtually everyone will develop cataracts if they live long enough. Learn more here.
5 Popular Benefits of Implantable Contact Lenses

5 Popular Benefits of Implantable Contact Lenses

The options for permanent vision correction have never been greater. Here, we explore some compelling benefits of implantable contact lenses (ICL) that make it the best choice for many people who are looking to correct refractive errors. 
What to Expect During ReLEx Smile Surgery

What to Expect During ReLEx SMILE Surgery

Patients with visual impairments, including astigmatism and nearsightedness, now have a laser surgery option that requires little downtime — ReLEx SMILE, the most patient-friendly laser vision correction procedure available. Learn more here.

All About PRK Eye Surgery: An Alternative to LASIK

While LASIK enjoys an almost generic status describing laser eye surgery to correct refractive defects, it’s actually one of many surgical approaches. Learn more about another technique, photorefractive keratectomy — or PRK eye surgery — here.