Femto SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is an advanced surgical procedure used by eye surgery experts at Magrabi Health to treat various vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. It is specifically designed to address certain refractive errors in the eye.

This technology relies on advanced femtosecond lasers to reshape the cornea, providing patients with a minimally invasive surgical solution. Femto SMILE has gained widespread recognition for its precision and advantages over traditional LASIK surgery.

In this article, eye surgeons at Magrabi Health present important information about Femto SMILE technology, its role in treating refractive errors, and the differences between Femto SMILE, LASIK, and Femto LASIK.

What is Femto SMILE, and How does it help correct vision?

The development of Femto SMILE began in 2007 as an alternative to LASIK surgery to treat patients with severe myopia.

This technique involves creating a small incision in the cornea, no more than 2 to 3 millimeters in size. The eye surgeon then removes a thin layer of corneal tissue (lenticule) through this incision without the need to create a "corneal flap" as is done in LASIK and Femto LASIK.

This procedure received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 for the treatment of myopia, and in 2018, it received additional approval for the treatment of compound astigmatism resulting from myopia.

How do Magrabi Health surgeons perform the Femto SMILE procedure?

As previously mentioned, Femto SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require large surgical incisions. It doesn't also require the creation of a corneal flap, unlike LASIK and Femto LASIK.

The surgery consists of three main steps:

Application of femtosecond laser: The femtosecond laser is directed at the cornea to separate its layers from the middle.
Creating a small incision: A small incision is made at the edge of the cornea.
Removal of the corneal layer: The lenticule (corneal tissue) is extracted through the incision without the need to create a corneal flap.

This technique offers a less invasive alternative compared to LASIK, which requires the creation of a corneal flap and then repositioning it.

Benefits of Femto SMILE Compared to LASIK and Femto LASIK

Femto SMILE is highly regarded by many doctors due to its numerous advantages, which include:

Minimally Invasive: The tiny incision made by the eye surgeon reduces complications associated with the creation of a corneal flap, promoting faster recovery.
Faster recovery from dry eyes: Studies have shown that both LASIK and Femto SMILE may cause dry eyes, but patients who undergo Femto SMILE tend to recover from this issue quicker.
Preservation of corneal structure: Femto SMILE helps maintain the corneal structure, reducing the risk of complications such as corneal ectasia, which leads to thinning of the cornea.
Shorter Procedure Duration.

Is Femto SMILE better than Femto LASIK?

While both techniques help correct refractive vision errors, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, choosing the appropriate method for correcting refractive errors is a decision made solely by the specialized eye surgeon.

At Magrabi Health, doctors often prefer Femto SMILE as it is considered the safest technique for treating the following cases:

Thin corneas that are not suitable for LASIK or Femto LASIK.
High degrees of corneal curvature.
Severe myopia.
Low degrees of astigmatism.

However, no treatment technique is without its drawbacks. The limitations of Femto SMILE include its inability to treat:

Patients with hyperopia (farsightedness).
Patients with advanced degrees of astigmatism.

If a patient is eligible for both Femto LASIK and Femto SMILE, Magrabi Health doctors often recommend Femto LASIK, as it provides better night vision and enhanced color discrimination.

As mentioned, the specialized eye surgeon is the only person who can determine the appropriate technique for treating vision impairment. This decision is based on a series of comprehensive tests and examinations that evaluate the condition of the cornea and overall eye health.

Complications of Femto SMILE

Complications from Femto SMILE are rare, but like any surgery, it may lead to some side effects and complications.

During the surgery, the patient may accidentally move their head (a problem known as suction loss), which can negatively impact the results and may require restarting the procedure.

Patients may also experience complications if the eye surgeon is unable to extract the corneal layer (lenticule) correctly.

Although the procedure is highly safe, patients may experience rare side effects such as corneal thinning, as mentioned earlier.

Patients can avoid such complications by choosing a specialized eye hospital with experienced surgeons and the latest technologies for treating eye diseases.

Choose the nearest branch of Magrabi Health, the leading hospital in the treatment of eye diseases in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, to enjoy healthy, disease-free eyes.

https://eyewiki.org/Small_Incision_Lenticule_Extraction_(SMILE)

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