Freedom from glasses with ReLEx smile
ReLEx smile is the most advanced minimally invasive laser eye surgery.
ReLex Smile
See life without limits
Wake up to a clear vision
Picture opening your eyes in the morning and seeing clearly—without glasses, contacts, or blurred outlines. ReLEx smile achieves this with a minimally invasive, flap-free procedure that treats nearsightedness and astigmatism in one step.
Live life on your own terms
Glasses and contacts can feel frustrating and limiting. ReLEx smile removes that burden, giving you a fresh outlook and confidence to live more freely.
Get back to what you love sooner
Because recovery is faster than with other laser techniques, you’ll return quickly to work, sports, and hobbies. ReLEx smile shortens downtime so you can focus on life, not limitations.
A confident new you
Clear vision changes more than just your eyesight. Patients often feel younger, more self-assured, and proud of their appearance once they no longer depend on glasses or lenses.
Not sure if ReLEx smile is right for you?
Take self test now. Our experts will guide you through your options and explain whether ReLEx smile laser eye surgery is the best choice for your eyes.
Take suitability self-test
Patient stories & testimonials
Sofie , 29 – Myopia
Tom , 41 – Astigmatism
Eva , 35 – Dry eyes with contacts
Why choose Medifocus?
Trusted expertise:
Founded by Dr. Hugo Van Cleynenbreugel with 20+ years of surgical experience.
Cutting-edge technology
Among the first Belgian centers to introduce ReLEx SMILE.
Personalized care:
Treatments tailored to your eyes, lifestyle, and future needs.
Certified safety:
Officially recognized extramural surgical center with strict quality controls.
Transparent costs:
Fixed pricing, no hidden fees, and support with insurance.
Accessible & comfortable:
Convenient Oud-Heverlee location near Leuven, with free parking and multilingual staff.
Ready for a life without glasses?
ReLEx smile offers the safest, flapless, and most comfortable way to correct myopia and astigmatism. Take the first step today.
Book an appointment
Benefits of ReLEx smile laser eye surgery
Flapless precision
ReLEx smile leaves the surface of the eye intact. The procedure is performed with minimal contact to the eye, reducing complications and preserving long-term stability.
Maximum safety
The ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser ensures unmatched accuracy and minimal tissue impact, making ReLEx smile the safest form of laser vision correction today.
Fast recovery
Most patients regain functional vision within 24 hours. After 48 hours, you can work, drive, and exercise again—with very little downtime.
Comfort and fewer dry eyes
Because the treatment is so minimally invasive, the corneal nerves remain largely untouched. This means less dryness after surgery and greater comfort, especially for patients with sensitive eyes.
Not sure if ReLEx smile is right for you?
Take self test now. Our experts will guide you through your options and explain whether ReLEx smile laser eye surgery is the best choice for your eyes.
Take suitability self-test
Meet your eye surgeon, Dr. Van Cleynenbreugel
The Medifocus story begins some 20 years ago, when Dr. Hugo Van Cleynenbreugel began working as an eye surgeon at the Rotterdam Eye Hospital, one of the most renowned institutions in the world. After a few years, he was appointed medical head of the Cornea and External Eye Diseases department and the Operating Room Advisory board.
It quickly became clear that eye surgery was his true calling. Over the years, Dr. Van Cleynenbreugel has performed more than 25,000 eye surgeries, including laser eye surgery, lens implants, cataract surgery, and corneal transplants. He is a highly sought-after speaker at international conferences.
Book an appointment
How does ReLEx smile work?
ReLEx smile stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. With the ZEISS VisuMax laser, a tiny lenticule (disc of corneal tissue) is created inside the cornea and removed through a 2 mm incision. By removing this precise tissue, the cornea is reshaped, correcting myopia (short-sightedness) and astigmatism.
- Procedure time: less than 3 minutes per eye
- Incision: only 2 mm
- Surface remains intact : safer, faster healing, less dryness
FAQs on ReLEx smile laser eye surgery
Frequently asked questions about ReLEx SMILE laser eye surgery in Leuven, Belgium.
What is ReLEx smile laser eye surgery?
ReLEx smile is a minimally invasive laser vision correction that reshapes the cornea through a small 2 mm incision — no flap required. Recovery is rapid and the risk of dry eyes is minimal. At Medifocus, the procedure is performed exclusively with the ZEISS VisuMax laser.
Is ReLEx smile safe?
Yes. ReLEx SMILE is considered one of the safest forms of laser eye surgery. Because no corneal flap is made, structural integrity remains intact, lowering complication risk. At Medifocus Leuven, surgeons use ZEISS VisuMax lasers and Belgian-regulated safety standards to achieve over 99.9 % success with minimal dry-eye risk and fast healing.
Does ReLEx smile cause dry eyes?
Most patients experience little to no dryness after ReLEx smile. Because the corneal nerves are largely preserved, dry eyes are far less likely than with Femto LASIK. If any dryness does occur, the prescribed eye drops provided by Medifocus offer quick relief.
How long is recovery after ReLEx smile in Belgium?
Improvement is rapid — most patients see clearly within 24 hours and return to work within 48 hours. Some night-vision adjustment such as mild halos can occur in the first weeks and typically resolves on its own. Medifocus schedules follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
Am I a candidate for ReLEx smile?
ReLEx smile candidates are typically aged 20–50 with stable myopia or astigmatism and sufficient corneal thickness. A thorough pre-operative assessment at Medifocus confirms your eligibility and whether ReLEx smile is the best option for your specific prescription and eye anatomy.
What should I do before and after ReLEx smile?
Stop wearing contact lenses 3 days before the surgery. Avoid eye makeup for 3 days before and after the procedure. Arrange a driver, as you will not be able to drive yourself home. Follow any additional personalised instructions provided by Medifocus at your pre-operative consultation.
Is ReLEx smile permanent?
Yes. The correction from ReLEx smile is permanent. Vision may change later in life due to the natural ageing of the eye lens — a process called presbyopia — but this is entirely unrelated to the ReLEx smile procedure itself. Medifocus monitors your vision long-term through scheduled follow-up appointments.
Is a reLEx smile procedure painful?
ReLEx smile has one of the fastest recovery times among all laser eye procedures. Most patients see clearly within 24 hours and resume normal activities within 48 hours. This rapid recovery makes ReLEx smile particularly popular with active people and athletes.
How good will my vision be after ReLEx SMILE?
More than 99% of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after ReLEx SMILE at Medifocus — the standard required to fly an airplane. Most patients are surprised by how sharp their vision already is within 24 hours of the procedure. A small number may retain a minor residual prescription, which can be refined if needed. During your pre-operative assessment, Medifocus calculates the most realistic outcome for your specific corneal profile and prescription.
Ready for a life without glasses?
ReLEx smile offers the safest, flapless, and most comfortable way to correct myopia and astigmatism. Take the first step today.
Book an appointment