Sometimes the vision surgeries ReLEx SMILE and Lasik are bit confusing to select the one between them. There are certain differences, in terms of both procedure and results. Let us explore both the pros and cons related to both Relex SMILE and Lasik laser eye surgeries to choose suitable one between the two.
The Procedures
The Relex SMILE procedure is comparatively very less invasive than Lasik. Relex SMILE makes use of the ReLex laser and Lasik uses the femtosecond laser and excimer laser. One most important thing to consider here is that this procedure is only for correction of nearsightedness and not for astigmatism and farsightedness.
Relex SMILE procedure, though it is considered as a flap-less procedure, it is not so. Though it is very small incision, but an incision is required for the removal of the lenticule. But Lasik needs bigger incision comparatively and the recovery also stands accordingly. In the Lasik surgery, a flap is created in the cornea by the surgeon and then it will raised for the purpose of cornea reshaping.
Results and Reports
Since Relex SMILE is a newer procedure than Lasik, there is less data and statistics available, in terms of research and reporting. Considering the available few research and reports related to the differences between Relex SMILE and Lasik procedures, by the Krasnodar Branch of Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery, Federal State Institution, from Russia, they reveal the data as the following. The report indicates that the recovery after a day of the surgery, both the patients have found and experienced improvements in visual acuity. The report has also concluded that the However, there are no risks associated with the flap and there are hardly any complications with SMILE, since the incision is very tiny, about 20mm and there are no flaps associated.
Healing Time
Since no flaps are touched or connected with the procedure of the Relex SMILE, both healing and recovery are faster and the patient can get back to the day to day activities, even rigorous activities, like swimming faster than Lasik.
Recovery Time
Since the healing time is lesser, the overall recovery time also will be lesser compared to Lasik, since there is only a very small incision made, through which the removal of lenticule is attempted. And for the same reason, the risks and complications associated with the procedure are also minimal.
When visual recovery is considered, most of the patients experience comfortable vision, while performing various eye vision demanded activities, like working with computer, smartphones and reading.
Primarily both the procedures are for correction of the refractive vision errors. On an overall comparatively Lasik, Relex SMILE is costlier. Both of the procedures result in possible dry eye syndrome and also irritation in short term, during the recovery period. Both of them have faster recovery periods along with faster surgical times.
Both of them are useful and selection of each should be done on the basis of the prescription primarily and also the condition of eye health and also general health condition. Relex SMILE stands as a specific procedure for limited vision refractive error correction and Lasik provides solution for wider refractive errors.