Table of contents:
- Overview of the pros and cons of LASIK
- A new procedure emerged: ReLEx® SMILE
- Choose between SMILE and LASIK?
- 1. Better corneal stability
- 2. Less risk of side effects
- 3. The results of the operation are more effective
- 4. Suitable for those of you who have a thin cornea
- Disadvantages of SMILE operation
LASIK is usually always recommended as the main step to correct eye minus. But now there is a new method known as SMILE surgery. What is the difference between SMILE and LASIK refractive surgery? Is this new procedure safe for the eyes? Let's get to know SMILE, the third generation of laser refractive surgery.
Overview of the pros and cons of LASIK
LASIK (L aser-Assisted in SItu Keratomileusis) is an eye surgery procedure that uses laser technology to improve the way the eye focuses light beams on the retina at the back of the eye. Eye drinking is generally caused by light rays falling in front of the retina.
LASIK is classified as effective for treating eye minus. However, LASIK is associated with a high rate of complications such as dry eye, corneal ectasia, complications on flaps, and corneal nerve damage. This prompted researchers to look for new refractive surgery alternatives to make up for the shortcomings of LASIK.
A new procedure emerged: ReLEx® SMILE
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the third generation of refractive surgery option, after PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomyelusis), which was introduced in 2011.
In Indonesia alone, the SMILE procedure has been implemented since 2015 in Jakarta. Even so far, LASIK surgery still dominates minus eye correction surgery.
In this operation, the eye will be lasered with a special technology. Don't worry, the SMILE procedure has been declared safe. This procedure does not take a long time and will not cause pain.
Choose between SMILE and LASIK?
Both the SMILE and LASIK procedures have better cure rates compared to PRK. In addition, eye surgery with SMILE and LASIK healed faster than PRK. Both of these procedures should only take between 30-60 minutes.
However, as the latest generation of refractive surgery, SMILE has its own advantages over previous generations of surgery. Here are some of the advantages of SMILE over LASIK.
1. Better corneal stability
Corneas that underwent the SMILE procedure had better stability compared to the LASIK procedure. This is because in SMILE surgery, only a small portion of the cornea is incised compared to LASIK. In LASIK, most of the lining of the cornea is opened to create a flap.
An unstable cornea is at risk of causing corneal ectasia if it is traumatized or injured. The SMILE procedure reduced the length of the LASIK incision from 20 mm to only 2-4 mm. Those who are at risk of trauma to the eye such as athletes will benefit more from the SMILE procedure.
2. Less risk of side effects
In the LASIK procedure, the most common side effect is dry eyes. This is caused by the many layers of the cornea that are opened, so that more and more nerves in the cornea are damaged.
Whereas in SMILE, only a small part of the corneal nerve is cut so that the function of the cornea in keeping the eye from drying out and remaining moist is not disturbed. Those of you who previously had problems with dry eyes are certainly more suited to the SMILE procedure.
3. The results of the operation are more effective
According to research, it turns out that in the SMILE procedure, the result of the operation does not really have an effect on how big a minus eye you had before. This is of course what distinguishes the SMILE and LASIK procedures.
In the LASIK procedure, the heavier the patient's eye is, the more difficult it is to predict the outcome of the operation. Therefore, those of you with heavier minus eyes, will benefit more from the SMILE procedure.
4. Suitable for those of you who have a thin cornea
If after checking you have a thin cornea, then SMILE is the right choice for you. This is because the thin cornea will make the process of making a flap in LASIK impossible. This is because the corneal tissue itself is not sufficient to make a flap.
Disadvantages of SMILE operation
Even though SMILE is the newest generation, of course there are certain limitations. So far, SMILE has not been able to repair plus eyes (hypermetropia) and cylindrical eyes (astigmatism), so its use is limited to those of you who have minus eyes (myopia). Meanwhile, PRK and LASIK have been able to repair minus, plus, and cylinder eyes.
The choice for refractive surgery should certainly be considered by an ophthalmologist. So, for those of you who have high minus or plus eyes, don't hesitate to consult your ophthalmologist.
