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Smilepro Eye Laser

SMILEpro eye laser (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) surgery is the very latest advancement in corrective laser eye surgery. SMILEpro is a minimally invasive laser eye surgery procedure suitable for the correction of myopia (short sightedness) and moderate amounts of astigmatism.

With the precision, safety and accuracy of the Visumax 800 laser, programmed to create an ultra thin disc of tissue within the cornea. The resulting disc of corneal tissue represents precisely the amount of refocusing required to achieve the desired visual outcome to correct your focusing error. The Visumax 800 laser is then programmed to form a tiny (3mm) incision at the edge of the cornea creating a keyhole incision where the surgeon then removes the lenticule from the eye. The actual laser treatment time to create the lenticle and remove it from the eye with SMILEpro laser is 10 seconds.

Visual recovery, in general, is fast, the majority of patients (~98%) seeing well enough to meet the legal requirement standard for driving the day after surgery. Patients can normally return to work and most usual activities within 24 hours following SMILEpro. Resuming most sporting activities within three to five days.

The best way to find out if your eyes are suitable for SMILEpro is to have one of our free 30minute laser screening assessments with a member of our technical team.

Common Questions

FAQ about SMILEpro Eye Laser

Can I have both eyes done with at the same time?

Yes. It is safe to do both eyes one after the other, especially with the greater safety offered by eliminating the microkeratome blade by providing "all-laser"  LASIK instead. Dr. Kent has offered same day both eye LASIK since September 1997, the first New Zealand eye surgeon to do so.

What are the different types of laser eye surgery advertised?

There are several corrective laser eye surgery procedures. After discussion of your specific focusing error and the measurements of your eyes an informed decision can be made as to the most appropriate procedure for you.

PRK: (also referred as ASLA) Photorefractive Keratectomy or Advanced Surface Laser Ablation

The use of one laser, an excimer laser, without the creation of a corneal flap. The surface epithelium is exfoliated to allow the excimer laser to be applied to the corneal bed, remodelling the curvature of the cornea to compensate for the focusing error present. The epithelium then regenerates naturally. Visual recovery is slower than with a LASIK or SMILE procedure, but PRK is often the procedure of choice if the cornea is thin and refractive error is low.  

LASIK: Laser In-situ Keratomileusis

A femotosecond laser is used to form a thin flap on the front of the cornea. The flap is lifted and a second laser, an excimer laser is applied to the exposed deeper corneal layers (stroma), reshaping the stroma to achieve the desired level of correction. The flap is then replaced and correctly repositioned over the modified corneal bed, conforming to the new shape.  

SMILEpro (Small Incision Lenticular Extraction)

The use of just a femtosecond laser to create a “micro incision” rather than a flap. The laser also creates a lenticular shaped piece of tissue that is then removed with forceps via the “micro incision”. SMILEpro is the latest advancement in corrective laser eye surgery, not necessary the procedure of choice for all corrections.   A thorough ophthalmological examination fully informed discussion is required to determine the most appropriate procedure for you and your eyes.  

Why I should choose Fendalton Eye Clinic?

The expertise and experience of Dr David Kent combined with the quality of the technology we have at Fendalton Eye Clinic.
  • Our staff care about giving you the best result for you as an individual, finding the most appropriate procedure for you based on your unique focusing error and lifestyle requirements.
  • Dr. Kent is one of the most experienced surgeons for laser vision correction in Australasia having performed over 28,000 laser eye surgery procedures. Dr Kent has performed more LASIK procedures than any other New Zealand eye surgeon. For optimal results surgeon experience counts.
  • We are the only clinic in the South Island to offer you the safety, accuracy and superior results of the Schwind Amaris 1050RS excimer laser, the most advanced excimer laser with it's smart pulse technology and the unparalleled accuracy of a seven dimensional active eye tracker.
  • Every laser eye treatment is tailor-made to each individual eye.
  • We do everything we can to give you the best result possible. Follow up after laser eye surgery at Fendalton Eye Clinic is for six months. Within New Zealand the cost of follow up appointments is met by Fendalton Eye Clinic.
  • At Fendalton Eye Clinic we have a state-of-the-art purpose-built laser eye surgery theatre.

Will it hurt?

Anaesthetic eye drops are placed into your eye prior to laser eye surgery treatment to numb the eye so there is usually no pain experienced during the procedure. You will be aware of some pressure against your eye. For several hours after your laser eye procedure you may experience a grittiness or irritation. This irritation lasts about 4 or 5 hours. Some people do experience mild pain after laser vision correction that can be relieved with pain relief tablets (Panadol).
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