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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
