VISION correction surgery, also called refractive and laser eye surgery, is any surgical procedure used to correct vision problems.Over the past decades, refractive surgery has improved thequality of life in over 30 million patients with a > 95% patientsatisfaction rate and made it one of the most popular electivesurgery procedures in all of medicine. It is considered very safe with predictable results andhas been approved by the arm forces in many countries and even NASA astronaut candidates in the United States of America.After refractive and laser eye surgery, many patients report seeing better than they had at any other time in their lives.
Extensive research has provided invaluable refinements and advancementsof laser technology and diagnostic tools to develop safe andappropriate treatment options for patients with a myriad of refractivedisorders. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is presently themost performed elective procedure in the modern world.
In recent years, tremendous advancements have been made in this field. A new procedure called ReLex Smile is now gaining popularity in the refractive arena worldwide and is potentially changing the practice of refractive surgery for the next decades.
Unlike conventional LASIK, Relex Smile procedure does not create flap and involves the use of only one laser (the femtosecond laser). Instead of vaporising cornea tissue to correct the underlying short-sightedness and astigmatism, ReLEx® Smile carves out a small piece of corneal tissue called a lenticulein the cornea and then the lenticule is removed through a small keyhole incision (about 2.5 to 4mm only). This single-step, all-in-one-laser operation only takes about 30 seconds to perform the correctionfor one eye and the entire procedure complete in about 15 minutes for both eyes.This laser is extremely fast and uses very low energy, the procedure is odourless and silent, so there is less discomfort for patients.
To create public awareness on Retinal Diseases, a Public Talk by Dr Devaraj A Supramaniam will be held on Aug 8 at 11am at KPJ Pusat Pakar Mata Centre for Sight’s PJ branch located at No.1-1, Jalan SS23/15, Taman SEA, 47400 Petaling Jaya where the centre will provide Free Retina Photography for public aged 40 and above. The public may contact 03-7804 4051 for registration. Free goodies bag and refreshment will be provided.
