SMILE / ReLex SMILE
SMILE Laser-Vision-Correction
What is SMILE?
ReLEx SMILE (Small Incision Lenticle Extraction) is the most advanced, minimal-invasive laser eye treatment.
SMILE is the least invasive of all eye-laser-procedures using the keyhole-surgery principle. There is no flap cutting from the cornea.
This makes the treatment faster and more convenient for the patient with less side effects. SMILE has a shorter recovery period than PRK/LASIK.
SMILE allows even the treatment of higher refractive errors, thinner corneas and dry eyes.
“A short recoverytime…the whole procedure takes 28 seconds”
Many good reasons to choose AOZ Heidelberg
Board certified medical doctors and surgeons
Experience meets continued medical education
Quality and Service
Procedures & Technology
What's so special about SMILE?
ReLex SMILE reduces treatment- and recovery-time, while increasing safety and comfort.
It can treat higher refractive errors, thinner corneas and dry eyes.
SMILE is flap-less and provides a more stable cornea.
Best recommendations – how others rank us
“All expectations met!”
Our knowledge – your advantage
At AOZ Heidelberg many years of experience in ophthalmic surgery meet thousands of successfully performed intraocular and refractive procedures: Dr. Rainer Volz is a specialist in intraocular surgery and has performed tens of thousands of intraocular and refractive surgeries in more than 25 years. Dr. Jaron Schilling is our Topsurgeon for PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision, SMILE and LASIK with over 1,000 surgeries per year.
ReLex SMILE Pros
Microcut key-hole surgery
The experienced surgeon performs the procedure in one step and in few seconds
Less dry eyes after surgery
Due to the minimal-invasive nature of the surgery there are less side effects such as dry eyes after surgery
Faster healing
Minimal trauma is responsible for faster recovery
SMILE ist the newest generation in refractive-eye-laser treatments
It is a minimal-invasive 2 mm key-hole surgery
“Classic” LASIK
Needs 20 mm circular cut, flap lifting and the use of 2 lasers
Are you a candidate for SMILE?
Myopia up to -10 diopters
No other eye-laser-surgery can correct such high prescription
Astigmatism of up to -4 diopters
SMILE is suitable for eyes, which can not be treated with LASIK
More stable
ReLex SMILE leaves a more stable cornea after surgery
*find out more by booking our free initial consultation
Course of a SMILE procedure
Just book a free consultation with us and find out if you are a canditate for ReLex SMILE.
Prior to surgery there is the necessity to examine and measure your eyes. This is most likely the most extensive eye-exam you ever had. Please make sure to avoid wearing soft contactlenses for 1 week and hard CL for 2 weaks prior to this work-up exam.
Prior to surgery you will receive numbing eye drops and a mild tranquilizer.
In the OR the surgeon will remove the corneal lenticle under the microscope of the laser. 3-4 minutes later the procedure is finished and you will already be able to readthe clock on the wall. A bandage is not necessary.
Afterwards have a seat in the waiting area, relax or leave for home.
4-5 hours after surgery vision will improve already. Apply eyedrops as prescribed.
As a routine we follow-up on day 1, one week and 1 month after surgery.
Frequently asked questions about SMILE
Statistics say you have a 98% chance to be a canditate.
Take the AOZ-eye-test to find out in general if you could be a candidate for an eye laser treatment. There are various alternatives to correct your vision. All of them are offered at the AOZ:
- SMILE/ ReLex SMILE
- Femto-LASIK
- PRK (Photo-Refractive-Keratectomie)
- ICL (Intraocular-Contact-Lens)
- Trifocal- and Multifocal Lenses
- Laser Blended Vision
Which method is definitely the right one for you depends on the results of your eye-work-up exam. Find out by signing up for your individual & free evaluation appointment.
SMILE procedure takes an average 28 seconds per eye.
As a matter of fact SMILE laser treatment itself usually takes less than half a minute per eye. Your stay with us at the AOZ Heidelberg lasts approximately one and a half hours for the completet treatment of both eyes.
No you don’t. SMILE is absolutely free of pain.
You will hardly notice anything during the procedure. SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that will help you recover faster than any other eye laser procedure.
Numbing eye-drops make the treatment painless. Some patients experience a slight irritation after surgery and some sort of glare. You will receive fancy sunglasses and medication to make you as comfortable as possible.
After a SMILE treatment you usually will not need glasses or contacts anymore.
The goal of all treatments is to achieve best visual acuity without glasses or contacts.
Should there be a remaining or a reappearing refractive error we offer an enhancement which is free of extra costs up to one year after surgery.
What do you want to know?
4 steps to get rid of your glasses and contacts
