SMILE
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) also known as ReLExSMILE (refractive lenticule extraction) surgery performed using a femtosecond laser to create a small, lens-shaped bit of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea. Then, with the same laser, a small arc-shaped incision is made in the surface of the cornea, and the surgeon extracts the lenticule through this incision and discards it. With the tiny lenticule removed, the shape of the cornea is altered, correcting nearsightedness. The corneal incision heals within a few days without stitches.
ReLExSmile has been recently introduced in the United States especially directed to make LASIK surgery more minimalistic and hence safer with lesser side effects, such as dry eyes and corneal ectasia.
With present FDA approval status, patients with SMILE surgery in most cases do not recover vision as quickly and in fact there have been reported cases of corneal ectasia and dry eyes too.
Among the first in the world, Dr. Gulani had already studied the SMILE procedure and tested it in wet-labs as well as experienced patient outcomes. He did not find any advantage in this procedure over his advanced Nex-Gen LASIK and LaZrPlastique techniques that are time tested over three decades.
In fact Dr. Gulani is a world resource for SMILE patients and surgeons seeking his expertise in complication management of these techniques.