Last Updated on January 21, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
Desired by those who want to have a life away from glasses and contact lenses, refractive surgery is increasingly sought after. But in addition to the aesthetic factor, it is essential to bring more quality of life and health to eyes and vision. To understand more about this surgery and find out the benefits of seeking it, lasik eye surgery cost, continue reading our content for today.
Table of Contents
What Is Refractive Surgery?
Refractive surgery is considered a complete treatment that completely repairs refractive errors. It is done by laser and can correct pathologies such as myopia, astigmatism, farsightedness, and presbyopia, known as “eye strain.” Over the years, this type of surgery has become even safer, as the laser increases the precision of the incision in the cornea, which guarantees more comfort to the patient, a speed to perform the surgery, in addition to the benefits in the postoperative period, where surgery does not prevent the patient from maintaining daily activities.
What Are The Benefits Of Looking For Refractive Surgery?
In addition to the quality of life for the patient, there are other benefits, such as:
- Improved vision without the limitations of corrective lenses;
- Safety concerning other procedures, as refractive surgery does not require hospitalization and allows the patient to return to daily activities briefly;
- Correction independence (glasses or contact lenses) in the practice of sports, swimming in the pool, outings, and even simple activities, such as makeup for women, maybe possible with more frequency and minor inconvenience;
- Increased self-esteem, as many patients do not feel comfortable wearing glasses for the treatment of refractions;
- Economy, since once seeking the procedure, the investment in glasses and lens exchange ceases.
Meet The Smile Technique
Considered a reinvention of refractive surgery – keeping the basic concepts of being simple and less invasive than other procedures – the Smile Technique is performed with the femtosecond laser VisuMax, which improves refractive correction. Furthermore, it allows for an even more precise treatment than similar or previous-generation devices. With this technique, there is a more visible accuracy and greater control during the process, causing minor trauma to the cornea and tissue damage.
How Is The Smile Technique Performed?
The laser is applied to create a “lenticle” on the inside of the cornea, where the volume and shape are determined by the defect that will be corrected. This lens is removed through a small incision – about 2-3mm from the cornea’s surface – improving the shape and fixing the problem in the eyes.
What Is The Difference Between LASIK And The Smile Technique?
One of the most sought-after types of refractive surgery is LASIK because the Smile Technique is a newer and more modern technique for this type of correction. Understand LASIK: A device called a microkeratome that cuts through the cornea and lifts the indented area.
The difference between LASIK and the Smile Technique happens precisely there; the laser acts on the inner part of the cornea with only a tiny incision – a cut up to eight times smaller than the one made with the LASIK mode. What is considered by ophthalmologists one of the most significant advantages of the Smile Technique, a noticeably smaller impact on the corneal structure? Also, with the SMILE technique, you don’t have the uncomfortable Dry Eye Syndrome.
Refractive Surgery Methods
There are three types of refractive laser surgery. Are they:
- Lasik: consists of a cut in the anterior layer of the cornea.
- PRK: is the oldest method, where the degree correction is performed by applying the laser directly to the corneal surface.
- Smile technique: the most modern and least invasive of the three. It is done in a single step and with only one type of laser, the femtosecond laser.
It is worth emphasizing the importance of talking to your ophthalmologist about the best surgery option, as each patient has a specific diagnosis. Search here to know lasik eye surgery cost.
Read more: Laser Treatment and the Advantages
