SMILE pro at AOZ Heidelberg

SMILE pro - the next generation eye laser treatment

Why SMILE pro?

SMILE pro is the next generation development of the proven ReLEx SMILE procedure. ReLEx SMILE has been successfully used for more than 10 years by over 2,000 surgeons around the world.

Innovative further development of ReLEx SMILE

The advanced SMILE pro procedure developed by the eye laser experts at ZEISS Meditec represents one of the most modern form of minimally invasive eye laser treatment for the correction of visual defects. At around 10 seconds, the laser treatment is significantly faster, more precise, and therefore more comfortable as well as safer for you as our patient. 

Laser time just about 10 seconds! The next big milestone in femto technology

Jaron Schilling
MD certified high-volume LASIK and SMILE surgeon

SMILE pro at AOZ Augen-OP Zentrum + Praxis Heidelberg

Fast

Laser treatment per eye
in just about 10 seconds

Safe

Shorter treatment time and aspiration duration for more safety

Precise

Smart robot assistance facilitates alignment and centering

Comfortable

Thanks to short laser time and
perfect patient positioning.

What is so special about SMILE pro with the VISUMAX 800?

Why SMILE pro at AOZ Heidelberg?

The AOZ Eye Surgery Center + Practice Heidelberg is a ZEISS Reference Center for Refractive Surgery and is one of three eye laser centers in Germany where SMILE treatment is most frequently performed.

With the VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser, which was specially developed for SMILE pro, we are one of very few eye laser centers in Germany to have the most modern high-precision laser technology available from ZEISS in eye surgery – Made in Germany!

At the AOZ Heidelberg, we have safely and successfully performed thousands of eye surgeries for a life without glasses and contact lenses.

Picture: ZEISS

The SMILE pro surgery

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the most advanced, minimal-invasive laser eye treatment from ZEISS: In the first step, which takes just under 10 seconds, the VISUMAX 800 laser creates the so-called “lenticule” at a corneal depth specified by the surgeon. This is a small slice of tissue that ultimately represents the visual defect. The surgeon removes the lenticule through a tiny micro-incision of only 2 to 3 mm using special tweezers.

Thanks to the special robotic arms of the VISUMAX 800, you remain lying comfortably for the entire procedure, which takes only a few minutes.

Video: ZEISS

Best recommendations – how others rank us

Our knowledge, our know-how – your advantage

Prof. Dr. med. Frank Schlichtenbrede, as owner and director of the AOZ Heidelberg, specializes in lens surgery and the anterior and posterior segment of the eye. Rainer Volz, MD, is a specialist in ICL and eye surgery. Jaron Schilling, MD, is our top surgeon for PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision, SMILE pro and LASIK. Together they have performed thousands of intraocular procedures. Christiane Schiltenwolf, MD, specializes in conservative ophthalmology.

The AOZ Augen-OP Zentrum on Germany's major (doctor) recommendation portals:

SMILE pro laser eye surgery - Your advantages

About 10 seconds No-flap microcut technology

The experienced surgeon performs the actual correction with the VISUMAX 800 in about 10 seconds. A "flap" of the cornea is completely omitted. Flap-related complications do not occur.

Complete surgery in one step

With the VISUMAX 800, the most modern femtosecond laser from ZEISS, the entire operation is performed in just one step; it is not necessary to change the position of the patient.

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

Are you a candidate for SMILE pro?

Myopia up to -10 diopters

No other eye-laser-surgery can correct such high prescription

Astigmatism of up to -5 diopters

SMILE pro is suitable for eyes, which can not be treated with LASIK

More stable

SMILE pro leaves a more stable cornea after surgery

Refractive error
Applicability
Myopia
up to -10 diopters
Astigmatism
up to -5 diopters

4 steps to get rid of your glasses and contacts​

Simply come to us at the AOZ Heidelberg for a non-binding and free information and consultation session! During this consultation, we will clarify whether you are suitable for SMILE pro treatment in principle or which alternative procedures might be suitable for you. During the consultation, we will explain all aspects of the procedure and answer all your questions in detail. Please allow about 1 hour for the consultation.

Shortly before the scheduled treatment appointment, we hold the major preliminary examination. We measure all parameters necessary for the procedure and perform a complete medical examination of your eyes, including comprehensive vision tests. It is important to refrain from wearing soft contact lenses for at least 1 week prior to the procedure. Hard contact lenses must not be worn for 2 weeks prior to the major preliminary examination.

In preparation, we will give you eye drops to numb the surface of the eye and the eyelids will be disinfected. If necessary, you will receive a sedative from us before the procedure. Then you will lie down on the couch of the VISUMAX 800 laser. First, a small eyelid holder is inserted in the first eye. Then you follow a green flashing dot and a contact lens establishes the connection between the ocular surface and the laser system. The creation of the lenticule takes only about 10 seconds and is completely painless.

While you remain lying down for a short time, the surgical microscope moves forward and the surgeon carefully removes the lenticule. If necessary, the surgeon repeats the procedure for the second eye and after a few minutes the treatment is completely finished. You can now already read the clock on the wall – however, everything is still a little blurry and the eyes burn and water a little. An eye bandage is not necessary.

Afterwards, you are welcome to take a seat in our waiting area to rest and have something to drink – or you can start your journey home right away.

After 4-5 hours, the vision improves significantly and the burning and tearing stops. You apply the antibiotic eye drops prescribed by us to both eyes, for a total of one week. Already one day after the SMILE pro treatment the vision is excellent, perfect after about 5-6 days.

To check the healing process, we perform a routine check-up on the first day after the treatment, after one week and after one month.

Frequently asked questions about SMILE pro

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: 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 pro takes about 10 seconds per eye on average.

Really true: By quadrupling the laser pulse frequency from 500 kilohertz to 2 megahertz, ZEISS has succeeded with the VISUMAX 800 in reducing the actual SMILE pro laser treatment time from 30 seconds to just around 10 seconds. This treatment time is largely independent of the visual defect.
Your stay with us at the AOZ Heidelberg lasts about one and a half hours in total.

No you don't. SMILE pro is absolutely free of pain.

You will hardly notice anything during the procedure. SMILE pro is minimally invasive and 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 pro treatment, you usually will not need glasses or contacts anymore.

The goal of all treatments is to achieve the best visual acuity without glasses or contacts.

If there should 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?

The test

Are you eligible for eye-laser-surgery?
Find out taking our test

Fees & financing

Transparent & affordable. All prices, including information on payment by installments

Appointment

Do you have any questions?
Arrange your personal and non-binding information meeting.

Many good reasons to choose AOZ Heidelberg

Board certified medical doctors and surgeons

At the AOZ Heidelberg all medical doctors and surgeons are specialists in their respective fields.
Many good reasons

Experience meets continued medical education

All doctors at AOZ Heidelberg have a summarized professional experience of over 50 years. Permanent training and continued medical education ensure updated medical expertise.
Many good reasons

Quality and Service

Our goal ist o provide utmost service and quality for our patients.
Many good reasons

Procedures & Technology

Worldwide recognized technologies, medical equipment of renown brand producers and the use of premium products reflect our continued quest for quality.
Many good reasons
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