Introduction- Is Smile Pro Surgery Allowed in Indian Army?
ReLex was originally accomplished by Professor Walter Sekundo in 2006. Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE PRO) and FLex (femtosecond lenticule extraction, the first iteration of ReLEX) are two types of refractive lenticule extraction. Since its global premiere in 2011, more than 250 000 SMILE PRO treatments have been completed worldwide. So, Is Smile Pro Surgery Allowed in Indian Army? Let’s check!
Refractive surgery is redefined using SMILE PRO, a less invasive, flapless procedure using a femtosecond laser. According to Dr. Rupal Shah, SMILE PRO is a third-generation corneal refractive treatment, “a LASIK without a flap and a PRK without pain.” The highest diopters of myopia+/-myopic astigmatism, up to 10 D (spherical equivalent), may be corrected with this method, the only laser refractive surgery method that can do so.
The Inflammatory Response and the Laser System
The femtosecond laser used solely for ReLEX SMILE PRO offers excellent levels of repeatability and predictability, even with significant adjustments. The Visu Max system uses lower pulse energy and greater pulse frequency (500 kHz).
After SMILE PRO, the inflammatory reaction and wound healing are mild and halt after one week. Compared to Femto LASIK, SMILE PRO causes reduced keratocyte apoptosis, proliferation, and inflammation. According to reports, epithelial ingrowth and corneal haze have been mostly linked to challenging lenticule extraction. The corneal inflammatory and wound-healing response significantly influences the surgical results.
Studies on mice examining the relationship between the early inflammatory response and the level of myopia treated by SMILE PRO revealed that high myopic corrections resulted in a stronger keratocyte response. Most ReLEX surgeons noted an early inflammatory reaction during the SMILE PRO learning curve, which was more significant in the initial patients.
The Technique
The lenticule is sliced using the Zeiss Visumax femtosecond laser system (first in the posterior plane, then in the side cuts, and finally in the anterior plane), and a tiny incision (3,93 mm) that may be customized based on the surgeon’s preferences and skill is made after that. Through a tiny incision, a dissector removes the lenticule and separates the anterior and posterior lenticular surfaces.
As a result, there is no need to make a flap, and the cornea above the lenticule’s top interface is referred to as the cap. The SMILE PRO corneal caps exhibit high repeatability, regularity, and homogeneity. In the early stages, cap morphology may have a minor impact on the refractive results. The ReLEX SMILE PRO method consists of using the femtosecond laser and manually removing the lenticule. It is carried out under topical anesthetic. It can be carried out bilaterally through two separate operations or by applying the laser to both eyes before extracting the lenticules. The necessary refractive correction is accomplished by changing the shape of the cornea by eliminating the lenticule.
The laser treatment takes around 25 seconds, and the lenticule extraction takes a few more seconds. The remaining stroma is 250 microns thick, the lenticule diameter is 6,5 mm, and the corneal cap is 120 microns thick.
Benefits and Indications- Is Smile Pro Surgery Allowed in Indian Army?
Myopia up to -10 diopters, myopic astigmatism up to -5 diopters, or both up to -10 diopters can be corrected using SMILE PRO. Benefits of SMILE PRO for patients include: Safe: no flap means no flap complications and preservation of the corneal nerves reduces the incidence of dry eye syndrome. Additionally, there is greater integrity in the upper corneal layers, preserving the biomechanical stability of the cornea. It is a silent, scent-free laser process.
The benefits of SMILE PRO for doctors include a quick operation and no patient transfer. It allows them to treat more patients in less time. It offers a process that is optimized. There is just one laser utilized, one laser process, and one laser treatment plan. Studies and surgeons’ experiences have demonstrated that excellent clinical results are possible. SMILE PRO offers a new premium method and distinctiveness. WOW is provided by SMILE PRO.
Is Smile Pro Surgery Allowed in Indian Army?
Patients with LASIK frequently have dry eyes following the procedure. For the normal person, it’s just something that has to be treated frequently with over-the-counter moisturizing drops. However, it can be a little more difficult for military members on current duty, particularly for soldiers serving in regions with a lot of sun and arid weather (like the Middle East). Patients who have correction with SMILE PRO do not experience the same dry eye issues.
The risk of postoperative corneal haze, an eye clouding that can impair vision. It is also higher for PRK patients deployed in excessively sunny settings. Again, SMILE PRO may be a better alternative for active-duty individuals deployed in such circumstances because it doesn’t involve severe corneal disturbance or a lengthy recovery period.
Waivers are one issue that I predict will be more of a short-term roadblock. Because a technique has received DoD approval doesn’t mean all service members may immediately sign up for care. The procedure must be declared necessary for military purposes. Some employees need a waiver from a senior officer before receiving therapy. Compared to tried-and-true treatments like LASIK and PRK, securing a waiver for SMILE PRO can be more difficult because it’s the new kid on the block.
To prevent potential delays that can interfere with preparation, Dr. Rivers urges patients who need a waiver for treatment to choose LASIK and PRK for the time being.
Given the success rate of SMILE PRO and the current deployment dynamics, I believe it is safe to state that in the years to come. We may anticipate a sharp increase in the number of active-duty military people choosing this operation over LASIK or PRK. And we’ll keep you informed as the story develops.
Conclusion- Is Smile Pro Surgery Allowed in Indian Army?
For myopic patients, the third generation of laser refractive surgery, known as SMILE PRO, is available. However, efforts are also undertaken to cure greater myopia and hyperopia. The development of SMILE PRO indicates that less invasive surgery is the way of the future for refractive surgery. Carl Zeiss Instruments SRL provides educational support to AMA Optimex Clinic; no other financial relationships exist.
