ReLEx SMILE Pro
Fast Recovery, Minimally Invasive
How ReLEx SMILE Pro restores vision
In ReLEx SMILE Pro, the surgeon makes a tiny 2–4 mm corneal incision with the VisuMax 800 and removes a thin tissue lenticule through it.
ReLEx SMILE Pro treatment process
We provide a comprehensive overview of the ReLEx SMILE Pro procedure, beginning with a free preoperative evaluation to assess suitability and discuss your individual ocular condition.
Ophthalmologists will assess your eyes to confirm eligibility for treatment.
Following a comprehensive evaluation and consultation, the eye laser procedure can be performed.
Postoperative follow-up is essential for assessing recovery and ensuring optimal results.
Advantages of undergoing ReLEx SMILE Pro at Visus Eye Clinic
Choose ReLEx SMILE Pro at Visus Eye Clinic for maximum safety, comfort, and the fastest recovery. This latest-generation laser technology corrects your vision without a flap, using a minimally invasive procedure with exceptional precision.
Under the leadership of Dr. Wolter, the Netherlands’ most experienced refractive surgeon, you benefit from proven expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and a treatment favored worldwide.
In short, ReLEx SMILE Pro provides the safest technique, the quickest recovery, and the most natural visual experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about ReLEx SMILE below. For additional information, contact us at 0800 0088.
Relex SmilePro is a minimally invasive laser procedure for myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), performed by an ophthalmologist. A small portion of the cornea is removed through a micro-incision, improving vision with a minimally invasive micro-incision.
Why patients choose Relex SmilePro:
- Safe and minimally invasive
- Lower risk of complications
- Shorter recovery time than other laser treatments
- Performed under local anesthesia
- Rapid visual improvement, often immediately
- Suitable for mild to high degrees of myopia and hyperopia
- No need for contact lenses after treatment
Note: This treatment is not suitable for all. An ophthalmologist will advise if ReLEx SMILE Pro is appropriate for your eyes.
Wavefront is only used with excimer lasers. Relex SmilePro creates a lenticule instead of reshaping a flat surface, but visual outcomes such as glare, halos, and clarity are comparable to wavefront-guided procedures.
For the VisuMax laser—the only laser capable of performing the Relex SmilePro treatment—an investment of more than one million euros is required. Not all clinics can afford to purchase the VisuMax. In addition, the manufacturer of the VisuMax (Zeiss) certifies only the most skilled surgeons to perform ReLEx® SMILE treatments.
Some clinics state on their website that they do not offer this treatment because it supposedly is not a safe method. Unfortunately, this causes unnecessary concern among patients. This is completely unjustified, as the method has been proven safe and effective, and has been used since 2006. If it were not a safe method, Visus Eye Clinic would not offer it.
All treatments have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is difficult to say which treatment is best for you. This depends, among other things, on your personal preferences, your circumstances (such as work and sports), and the type of eye condition you have.
We will, of course, provide you with extensive information about all the advantages and disadvantages of the different treatment methods so that you can make an informed choice yourself. However, you cannot make a wrong decision. All methods are safe, effective, and have a very high success rate.
TransPRK:
With this treatment, the outer thin layer of the cornea is removed. After the procedure, you will wear a protective bandage contact lens for a few days. The total treatment time is only about 30 seconds per eye.
IntraLASIK:
In this procedure, the doctor creates a flap using the VisuMax laser. The underlying tissue is then treated with an excimer laser. The treatment takes approximately 2 to 5 minutes per eye.
Relex SmilePro:
In this treatment, a small lens-shaped piece of tissue is created beneath the surface of the cornea using the VisuMax laser. The surgeon then makes a small opening in the cornea to remove this lenticule. This treatment also takes approximately 1 to 5 minutes per eye.
The VisuMax laser from Zeiss is the newest device and the only laser capable of performing the Relex SmilePro treatment. This device requires an investment of more than one million euros. In addition, there are fixed costs, training costs, and licensing fees associated with the device. These costs are higher than those of other devices and treatment methods.
Furthermore, the manufacturer of the VisuMax (Zeiss) certifies only the most skilled surgeons to perform Relex SmilePro treatments, which limits the number of doctors qualified to carry out this procedure.
These higher (investment) costs make the price of the Relex SmilePro treatment higher than that of other methods.
In an IntraLASIK treatment, the surgeon creates what is known as a flap. The cornea consists of six thin layers of tissue. When creating a flap, the surgeon uses the laser to loosen three of these layers. The opening is about 20 mm long and has the shape of a horseshoe. The flap is then lifted, like turning a page, so the laser can treat the exposed tissue underneath.
In the Relex SmilePro treatment, a small lens-shaped piece of tissue is created beneath the surface of the cornea using the VisuMax laser. The surgeon then makes a small opening (2–4 mm) in the cornea with the laser to remove this lenticule. This reduces the risk of complications. Because the Relex SmilePro procedure requires only a very small incision, far fewer corneal nerves are disrupted, which significantly reduces the chance of developing dry eyes after the treatment.
Questions regarding your eye health or the procedure?
FAQ for more information, or reach out via 0800 0088 or info@visusoogkliniek.nl
Make your free appointment today
To determine whether you are eligible for treatment at Visus Eye Clinic, a comprehensive preliminary examination is performed free of charge and without obligation. This information is essential for determining which treatment is best suited to your eyes, age, and preferences. Because every eye is unique, what is ideal for one person may not be as suitable for another.
- Choose from 6 different locations in the Netherlands
- Plan online at a time that suits you
- Personal treatment advice tailored to your needs