Innovation and knowledge sharing are key pillars of the Signifeye network, and this was once again demonstrated recently. During the latest Zeiss User Meeting in Istanbul, Dr. Fernand De Wilde presented his “First Worldwide Case” of Circle post hyperopic SMILE Pro. This world-first achievement marks a significant step forward in the treatment of hyperopia (farsightedness) and opens new possibilities for patients seeking greater freedom from glasses or contact lenses.
Until recently, the innovative SMILE-KLeX technology was primarily used to correct myopia (nearsightedness). Over the past few months, Dr. De Wilde has also successfully treated hyperopic patients using this technique. He is the first ophthalmologist in Belgium and the Netherlands to perform this procedure. The treatment is suitable for patients between approximately 20 and 50 years of age with hyperopia ranging from +1 to +5 diopters, with or without astigmatism.
SMILE-KLeX is an advanced laser vision correction procedure that uses the latest-generation femtosecond laser, the Zeiss Visumax 800. In just a few seconds, the laser creates an extremely precise lenticule within the cornea. This lenticule is then removed through a tiny 2.5-millimeter incision, reshaping the cornea and correcting the eye’s refractive error.
The procedure takes only a few minutes, is completely painless, and is performed under local anaesthesia using eye drops. Many patients notice a significant improvement in their vision as early as the next day.
One of the major advantages of SMILE-KLeX is the very small incision. Compared with traditional LASIK procedures, which require the creation of a larger corneal flap, the impact on the eye is significantly reduced. As a result, patients generally experience less dry eye and enjoy a more comfortable recovery. In addition, this technique avoids potential flap-related complications that can occur with LASIK.
Until now, treatment options for hyperopic patients were often limited to LASIK, implantable contact lenses (ICL), or refractive lens exchange. Each of these procedures has specific indications and potential drawbacks. Thanks to this new application of SMILE-KLeX, we now have an additional minimally invasive treatment option that may be an attractive alternative for many patients.
Millions of patients worldwide have already been treated with SMILE technology for myopia. The successful application of this technique for hyperopia represents an important milestone in the field of refractive surgery.
For Eyecenter, this achievement is a powerful example of our ongoing commitment to innovation, ensuring that our patients continue to benefit from the most advanced treatments and the highest standard of care.