Complex Cataract Surgery

ReLEx SMILE is the latest generation of flapless laser eye surgery meant to maximise comfort and minimise disruption to your eye.

What is SMILE?

SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, and is also called ReLEx SMILE. This procedure is the latest advancement in laser eye surgery, and is also the most minimally invasive and gentlest type of laser eye surgery.
Play Video

Benefits of SMILE Laser Eye Surgery

Single Step Treatment

Single-step treatment

The entire treatment is performed with a high-precision advanced femtosecond laser. This means the treatment is faster than normal and each eye can be treated in as little as 2-5 minutes or less.
Quick recovery

Quick Recovery

Patients can normally return to work, take a shower or apply makeup shortly after surgery. Driving and sports activities are possible within a few days.
Minimally Invasive

Minimally-invasive

A tiny (2-3mm) keyhole incision means minimal disruption to the corneal nerves fibbers. This lets your eye go back to normal quickly. It also makes it possible to treat patients with very high glasses prescriptions, drier eyes, contact lens intolerance, and thinner corneas.
Flapless Treatment

Flapless treatment

There are no flap-related complications and side effects. As a result, corneal sensitivity returns quickly, minimising the risk of dry eyes.
contact lenses

It can be a SMART Investment

Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could save in the long run compared with glasses and contact lenses.
its not just a cosmetic procedure

Not just a cosmetic procedure

Laser eye surgery is not just a cosmetic procedure. In fact, the benefits are mainly functional. In many hobbies and jobs, contact lenses and glasses can be impractical and even dangerous. That’s why laser eye surgery is a life-changing procedure for many. Discover if you can break free from the limitations of glasses and contact lenses.

Today, the procedure has been performed at 1000 clinics in over 70 countries by more than 1,300 SMILE-registered surgeons around the world. 2.5 million SMILE procedures have been performed up to September 2019. In 2019, SMILE accounted for 19% of all refractive procedures globally, highlighting how this latest generation technology is likely to replace other procedures. Even more people are ready and waiting to experience its incredible power to give natural vision.

Are you suitable for SMILE?

Take our online suitability test

1 Min. Assessment

Are you aged 20 to 50 years with a prescription for short-sighted glasses? Are you tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses? If so, the SMILE procedure could be the perfect solution to drastically improve your vision. When it comes to laser eye surgery for short sightedness, the SMILE procedure is minimally invasive, which allows us to treat patients who may not be suitable for LASIK or LASEK, such as individuals with a high glasses prescription, or patients with drier eyes or thinner corneas.

I will perform a comprehensive assessment to determine your suitability for SMILE. Then I will recommend a personalised treatment that best suits your eyes and your lifestyle.

You can get started now by taking our online suitability test here, or by taking our treatment assessment to find out which treatment is best for you.

How SMILE works?

SMILE is similar to LASIK but uses a keyhole approach, which is minimally invasive and involves the extraction of a very thin layer of tissue (lenticule), preserving the structure of the front cornea. Unlike LASIK, there is no flap.

The minimally invasive keyhole method used by SMILE is done with a special state-of-the-art femtosecond LASER called VISUMAX from Zeiss. The laser is able to apply a series of laser pulses on the cornea with incredible 3D accuracy. These pulse form extraordinarily small bubbles (each less than 1/1000th the width of a human hair). These nano-bubbles outline a disc-shaped zone of corneal tissue called a lenticule which is removed from a partial thickness keyhole (2-3mm) incision. This effectively and precisely changes the shape of the cornea to match that of your glasses prescription.

Creating a lenticule ​
Step 1

Creating a lenticule

The advanced laser outlines a precise disc of tissue (lenticule). It also creates a 2-4mm keyhole incision.
recovery
Step 2

Removal of lenticule

The laser then removes the lenticule through a small keyhole incision with minimal disruption to the biomechanics of the cornea.

Private and NHS roles

Removal of lenticule ​
Step 3

Recovery

Congrats! Your vision is corrected. You are ready to see the world in focus.

Watch our video to
see how it works

Play Video

What to Expect

On the Day of Your Treatment

laser eye surgery
1. Warm welcome
You will meet with Dr. Arbabi who will review your clinical measurements, examine you and make you feel at ease.
laser eye surgery
2. Ensuring you are comfortable
Local anaesthetics eye drops will be instilled in your eyes to ensure they are completely numb and comfortable throughout the procedure.
laser eye surgery
3. Zeiss VISUMAX LASER
The laser outlines a precise disc of tissue (lenticule) which is removed through a very small (2-3mm) keyhole incision. You should soon be ready to see the World in its finest glory.

After the Treatment

after treatment care
1. What to Expect
It is not unusual for your eyes to feel slightly gritty and light sensitive after the procedure, but this will quickly subside, and the eye should feel better by the next day.
after treatment care
2. Aftercare drops and advice
You will be given your aftercare drops and advice. You will be asked to wear a pair of sunglasses when making your way back to home and to stop rubbing your eye for at least one week. Avoid make up on face for one week and on your eyes for two weeks.
after treatment care
3. The future
You will be seen the next day and advised when you can resume normal activities. Most people can expect to return to office-based work within first 24 to 48h after surgery. You should be able to resume most sport activates within 1 to 2 weeks. In addition, as part of our unique service you will be given my personal phone number to call or WhatsApp me directly if you had any concern or wanted to discuss anything about your procedure.

More information

SMILE laser step by step answer to all your questions

The alternative options include:

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

There are many ways that you can benefit from laser eye surgery. Here are just a few:

  • Laser surgery for eyes is not just a cosmetic procedure. The benefits are mainly functional. Glasses and contact lenses can get in the way of many hobbies, sports and jobs. They’re at best not practical and at worst can be dangerous (e.g. wearing contact lenses during swimming). That’s why laser eye surgery can be a life-changing procedure for many people.
  • Rapid result and recovery: After LASIK and SMILE you will find your vision start to improve straight away. Most people can resume office work within 24 to 48 hours after surgery
  • Convenience: For many, the prospect of not having to insert contact lenses every day or clean and defog their glasses in steamy or wet weather condition is a powerful reason to choose laser eye surgery
  • It can be a SMART Investment. Click on our cost calculator to find out how much you could be saving in long run compared to glasses and contact lenses.

Don’t let glasses and contacts hold you back. Discover if you can break free from limitations of glasses or contact lenses

Discover the freedom from glasses or contact lenses

Request a Callback

Request a Callback