1. [Home](/en) 2. ReLEx Smile # ReLEx smile ## Minimally invasive laser eye surgery with ReLEx smile ### Minimum-risk eye laser treatment ReLEx smile laser eye technology, since 2010. Medifocus is one of the first centers in the world to use it. In ReLEx smile laser eye surgery, the top layer of **the cornea remains intact**. So no epithelial flap need be made, as is the case with LASIK technology. This keeps the risk to a minimum. ### How does ReLEx smile work? In the ReLEx smile technique, we create a small piece of tissue under the surface of the cornea, called a lenticle. This disc has the shape and strength of a contact lens: the higher the diopter strength corrected, the thicker the disc. It takes less than thirty seconds to make the disc. Then, it is removed from the cornea through a tiny 2 mm incision. The eye is now definitively corrected, making glasses and contact lenses unnecessary. ### The safest laser eye technique The surface of the cornea is the most sensitive and fragile part of the eye. With ReLEx smile, it remains untouched. This makes ReLEx smile **the safest laser eye technique**. This new technique represents a milestone in laser eye surgery: the familiar principle of the older techniques is combined with state-of-the-art technology. ### Superlative result With ReLEx smile, we use the VisuMax femtosecond laser. Compared to the excimer laser, used for LASIK and PRK, this is less effected by such external factors as humidity and temperature. So, after treatment, the **eyes come even closer to zero in terms of diopter strength**. This makes the likelihood that a second treatment will be required to improve the result extremely small (<1%). With Femto-LASIK and PRK/LASEK, this chance is greater (2%). ### Less dry eyes with ReLEx smile Unlike with LASIK, the eye is **not more fragile after ReLEx smile**. This makes the process the number one choice of athletes, military personnel, pilots, police, security and fire personnel. The eye recovers faster because no flap is made on the ocular surface. As a result, the **chance of dry eyes is much smaller** after the procedure. For people who already suffer from occasional dry eyes before the surgery, we recommend ReLEx smile over Femto LASIK or PRK. ### Which conditions are treated with ReLEx smile? ReLEx mile is used to treat myopia and astigmatism. ## Ready for a life without glasses? Book a preliminary examination. [Make an appointment](https://medifocus.be/en/make-appointment) ## Who is eligible for ReLEx smile? We use ReLEx smile for the age group **from 20 to 50**. The most important condition is that you have a stable prescription for 2-3 years. With ReLEx smile, myopia up to about **-8 diopters** can be treated. Astigmatism is corrected in the same treatment. First step is to have d preliminary examination. During this examination, we determine all technical parameters that indicate whether it is possible to treat your eyes with ReLEx smile. ![](/sites/default/files/styles/3_2_small/public/2024-08/iStock_000016765665Small.jpg?h=c9c76477&itok=bfhQRxb-) ## What can you expect during and after surgery? ### Fast, comfortable procedure In experienced hands, a ReLEx smile laser eye treatment takes **no longer than 3 minutes per eye**. It is a simple and comfortable procedure. Our testimonials confirm this. It is **not possible to blink accidentally** during the procedure. Also, thanks to the built-in safety systems, it is impossible to look in the wrong direction. ### Very fast recovery Your vision is blurry for the first few hours after the procedure, but most of your vision returns within the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, you can work, exercise, drive and use a computer again. So you will miss very little work. **Further recovery** takes place mainly in the following weeks. Expect complete recovery (in particular, night vision) to take a few months. ## Why ReLEx smile? The safest laser eye technology Rapid recovery Leaves the cornea intact Minimal risk of dry eyes Permanent result ![Medifocus Relex smile laser](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%20640%20427'%2F%3E) ## Frequently asked questions about ReLEx smile Is the effect of the ReLEx smile technique permanent? Yes, the result is permanent. Studies involving thousands of patients have shown this. It is possible that you may need reading glasses after a while. But this is not a direct result of laser eye surgery, but of the natural aging process of the lens inside the eye. What should I be aware of before the ReLEx smile procedure? - Do not wear contact lenses for 3 days before the procedure. - Do not use makeup for 7 days before the procedure. - Also, strictly adhere to any other agreements made with the surgeon. - Are you coming by car? Then arrange for a driver to take you back, since you will not be able to drive yourself. What must I be aware of after the procedure? After treatment, we will agree on follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery. You can contribute to smooth recovery from laser eye surgery by following these guidelines for aftercare. - Refrain from rubbing your eyes. You may dab around the eye with a tissue, if you wish. - Follow the instructions and use the prescribed eye drops. They promote healing of the ocular surface and minimize the risk of infection. - Wash your hands thoroughly before using eye drops or touching the area around your eyes. - Do not use a swimming pool or sauna for 1 week. - Do not use makeup for 1 week. - If you are light sensitive, you may wear sunglasses for comfort. This is not a necessity. Read more about aftercare. Will I suffer from dry eyes after laser eye surgery? Probably yes, but only to a limited extent. Because, with ReLEx smile, we leave your cornea intact, your eye recovers faster, so you will probably only note dry eyes the first weeks after the procedure. The eye drops we give after treatment also help alleviate this condition. When can I function again? Your vision will remain rather blurry for the first few hours after the procedure. Driving and computer monitor work is then difficult. Most of your vision will return within the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, you can function completely again: work, exercise, drive and use a computer. So you will miss very little work. Is laser eye surgery with the ReLEx smile technique safe? Because with the ReLEx smile technique your cornea remains completely intact, this is **the safest eye laser technique** available today. The eye recovers faster because no flap is made on the ocular surface. As a result, the chance of dry eyes is much smaller afterward. Is laser eye surgery with the ReLEx smile technique painful? No. Your eyes are anesthetized during the procedure, so you will certainly have no pain. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the effect of the ReLEx smile technique permanent?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, the result is permanent. Studies involving thousands of patients have shown this. It is possible that you may need reading glasses after a while. But this is not a direct result of laser eye surgery, but of the natural aging process of the lens inside the eye." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I be aware of before the ReLEx smile procedure?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\n\tDo not wear contact lenses for 3 days before the procedure.\n\tDo not use makeup for 7 days before the procedure.\n\tAlso, strictly adhere to any other agreements made with the surgeon.\n\tAre you coming by car? Then arrange for a driver to take you back, since you will not be able to drive yourself.\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What must I be aware of after the procedure?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "After treatment, we will agree on follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery. You can contribute to smooth recovery from laser eye surgery by following these guidelines for aftercare.\n\n\n\tRefrain from rubbing your eyes. You may dab around the eye with a tissue, if you wish.\n\tFollow the instructions and use the prescribed eye drops. They promote healing of the ocular surface and minimize the risk of infection.\n\tWash your hands thoroughly before using eye drops or touching the area around your eyes.\n\tDo not use a swimming pool or sauna for 1 week.\n\tDo not use makeup for 1 week.\n\tIf you are light sensitive, you may wear sunglasses for comfort. This is not a necessity.\n\n\n\nRead more about aftercare." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will I suffer from dry eyes after laser eye surgery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Probably yes, but only to a limited extent. Because, with ReLEx smile, we leave your cornea intact, your eye recovers faster, so you will probably only note dry eyes the first weeks after the procedure. The eye drops we give after treatment also help alleviate this condition." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can I function again?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Your vision will remain rather blurry for the first few hours after the procedure. Driving and computer monitor work is then difficult. Most of your vision will return within the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, you can function completely again: work, exercise, drive and use a computer. So you will miss very little work." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is laser eye surgery with the ReLEx smile technique safe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Because with the ReLEx smile technique your cornea remains completely intact, this is the safest eye laser technique available today. The eye recovers faster because no flap is made on the ocular surface. As a result, the chance of dry eyes is much smaller afterward." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is laser eye surgery with the ReLEx smile technique painful?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Your eyes are anesthetized during the procedure, so you will certainly have no pain." } } ] }