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FAQ

  • What is Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro)?

Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro) is currently the most advanced form of refractive surgery, It is an upgrade from ReLEx SMILE, utilizing state-of-the-art Visumax 800 femtosecond laser from Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany. The laser process takes only 8-10 seconds, about three times faster than ReLEx SMILE, reducing the chance of postoperative complications and increasing the level of patient comfort during surgery. Better quality of vision and faster visual recovery

  • What is ReLEx SMILE?

ReLEx SMILE is the most advanced small incision, flapless procedure and further development of LASIK and FemtoLASIK for correction of refractive errors including myopia and astigmatism by removing excessive corneal tissue in the form of a lenticule through a small incision of 2-5 mm. utilizing state-of-the-art femtosecond technology.  

  • Is Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro) and ReLEx SMILE painful during the procedure?

Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro) and ReLEx SMILE is not painful at all as there is no instrument to press against the cornea during the procedure. Prior to the procedure, you will be given a mild sedative (Valium) to help you remain calm and the numbing eye drops are used to help numb the eye. Before surgery, the doctor will test the numbness of your eyes first each and every time as to make sure your eyes are numb.

  • What refractive errors can LASIK or ReLEx SMILE fix?

ReLEx SMILE/LASIK is able to correct nearsightedness combined with astigmatism from -0.75 up to -13.00. However, the prescription alone does not determine whether you are a ReLEx SMILE/LASIK candidate. Other factors such as corneal thickness, corneal curvature, eye pressure, and the health of your eyes all play a role in determining candidacy. ReLEx/LASIK is an alternative option of surgery for people who would like to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. For example, people who do not wish to wear glasses but still cannot  wear contact lenses because of eye irritation or dry eye, etc.

  • Can LASIK/ReLEx SMILE fix astigmatism?

Astigmatism means your eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, so light is focused at more than 1 place in the eye. LASIK/ReLEx SMILE is able to correct astigmatism but if the amount of astigmatism is too high, you may consider Phakic IOL or ICL surgery.

  • Can you wear colored contact lenses after laser eye surgery?

It is advised to wait for at least 3 months after laser eye surgery before considering wearing cosmetic contact lenses and it is essential that you consult your surgeon before using them. The shape of your eyes may have changed as a result of laser eye surgery so your doctor will recommend the correct lens for your eyes after examining your eyes to ensure they have fully healed.

  • Can I do LASIK/ReLEx SMILE if I work on computers a lot?

Yes, you can consider doing surgery. It is recommended for you to take frequent breaks every one hour when working on computers by closing your eyes still for 1-2 minutes or may change your posture to do something else temporarily and frequently use the non-preserved artificial tears to reduce dry eye symptoms.

  • What is the best age for laser eye surgery?

The best age for laser eye surgery (Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro), ReLEx SMILE, FemtoLASIK, LASIK or PRK) is between 18 and 65 years old. This is because eye prescriptions start to settle. After age 18, the development of your eyesight slows. This means your prescription is less likely to change. For those over 65 years old, you have start to have cataracts which is contraindication for corneal laser surgery. Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, which gradually causes blurry vision which cannot be fixed with glasses or LASIK surgery. We usually advise patients to wait until the cataract is causing blurry vision, then to have cataract surgery to put in a new lens for clearer vision.

  • Can I have LASIK/ReLEx SMILE while pregnant or breastfeeding?

During your pregnancy or breastfeeding period, your eye measurements are subject to fluctuations due to hormonal changes. Hence, you may not be a suitable candidate of LASIK/ReLEx during these periods. Many doctors recommend waiting at least 3 months after LASIK surgery to become pregnant and you must also have at least 2 normal cycles of menstruation after giving birth before considering LASIK/ReLEx SMILE.

  • How long does it take to recover from LASIK or ReLEx SMILE?

After the eye shield is removed on the 1-day follow up exam, most patients can resume most activities with few restrictions. The eye must not come into contact with water including sweat as to prevent infection for a minimum of 3-7 days (depending on type of surgery). The patient can resume normal activities including working at computer and reading. A frequent break every 10-15 minutes is recommended to prevent dry eye and eye fatigue.

  • Can eyesight get worse after laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery permanently corrects the vision prescription that you have at the time of surgery, but any vision conditions you have may continue to progress. The good news is, these changes are usually minor and occur slowly over the course of many years. If your nearsightedness or farsightedness continue to progress after laser eye surgery, your vision will still be better than it would have been without surgery. We can perform a LASIK enhancement if vision changes are substantial or bother you.

  • What can disqualify you for LASIK/ReLEx SMILE surgery?

To be a good candidate for ReLEx/LASIK surgery requires more than just a certain degree of correction. Good candidates should have good health and have an appropriate corneal shape and thickness, healthy and sufficient tear film, generally healthy eyes, stable prescriptions, do not have corneal diseases or other eye diseases, for example; Keratoconus, significant retinal degeneration, severe eye dryness, do not have any systemic illnesses such as SLE (lupus), Sjogren’s syndrome, Psoriasis and diabetes (not well-controlled) or other auto-immune diseases that might impact healing and the results, are not taking medication that might impact healing and tear film integrity and most importantly have realistic expectations.

  • Can LASIK/ReLEx SMILE fix Presbyopia?

For those who have nearsightedness combined with age-related presbyopia, this is usually found in people aged 40 and over. There are two types of treatment:

1. For those who suffer from age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) and wear only reading glasses, do not need to wear glasses for distance, Near Vision LASIK may be an option. This means that only one eye will be corrected, and made slightly nearsighted so that you can see up close without glasses.
2. For those who suffer from nearsightedness, astigmatism and age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) combined. Monovision is an alternative for LASIK patients who have either nearsightedness or inborn farsightedness simultaneously with presbyopia. This is done by completely correcting the refractive error in the dominant eye so that it can see clearly in the distance, while leaving a small amount of nearsightedness in the non-dominant eye, in order to allow for near vision. The dominant eye will be able to see well in the distance but not so well up close, while the non-dominant eye will be able to see enough up close to allow for reading, but not as well in the distance as the dominant eye. When both eyes are used together, both reading and distance vision should be comfortable. This will enable the patient to see reasonably well both in the distance and up close, without needing the help of spectacles for routine daily activities, such as reading price tags or menus.

*When you come in for the pre-operative eye exam, we will simulate Monovision/ NV LASIK vision for you both distance and near through the use of trial glasses at the clinic and our doctor will advise for you to wear a trial contact lens to simulate the surgery before making a decision whether Monovision/ NV LASIK is suitable for you.

  • Why can’t I wear contacts before the pre-operative eye exam for LASIK?

Please note that if you are a contact lenses wearer, you will need to stop wearing them before the examination and the surgery. For soft lenses we require a minimum of 3 days, for hard lenses at least 2 weeks. However, the longer the better. This is to allow your corneas to resume to its natural shape in order to get an accurate measurement. During your consultation, our doctors will take measurements of your eye and will evaluate the curvature of your cornea to assess your candidacy and develop a treatment plan that fits the dimensions of your eye. If the corneal measurements during the consultation are not precise, this could compromise the accuracy of your surgery. If there are any dry eye or corneal irregularity from contact lens wear, or doctor may ask for you to discontinue wearing contacts for another 2-3 days, and will schedule for you to come back for a repeat eye examination.

  • Will my eye prescription be zero after laser eye surgery?

A surgeon will try to correct your vision for the best possible outcome after surgery. Most patients can see well without glasses or contact lenses but it doesn't mean that patient will have eye prescriptions measured equal to zero, there may be the amount of nearsightedness of 50, 25, or astigmatism of 50 or 75. In general, very few people can get the measurements of the eyesight equal to zero.

  • Will my eye prescription be zero after laser eye surgery?

A surgeon will try to correct your vision for the best possible outcome after surgery. Most patients can see well without glasses or contact lenses but it doesn't mean that patient will have eye prescriptions measured equal to zero, there may be the amount of nearsightedness of 50, 25, or astigmatism of 50 or 75. In general, very few people can get the measurements of the eyesight equal to zero.

  • Will my eye prescription be zero after laser eye surgery?

A surgeon will try to correct your vision for the best possible outcome after surgery. Most patients can see well without glasses or contact lenses but it doesn't mean that patient will have eye prescriptions measured equal to zero, there may be the amount of nearsightedness of 50, 25, or astigmatism of 50 or 75. In general, very few people can get the measurements of the eyesight equal to zero.

  • Who is ICL intraocular lenses suitable for?

People with stable vision from the ages of 21 - 45 years, people with very thin corneas Those who have very dry eyes Those who are unable to have Lasik surgery.

  • Thin cornea, can I get Lasik?

For those who have a problem with a thin cornea, “LASIK can be done”, but there are only 2 types: PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) or ICL surgery. Because PRK does not separate the cornea, and ICL is the insertion of an additional lens into the eye, it is a method suitable for those who have a problem with a thin cornea.

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