Small incision lenticule extraction
ReLEx Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), second generation of ReLEx Femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx), is a form of laser based refractive eye surgery developed by Carl Zeiss Meditec used to correct myopia, and cure astigmatism.[1] The lenticule to be extracted is accurately cut to the correction prescription required by the patient using a photodisruption laser-tissue interaction.[3] The method of extraction was via a LASIK-type flap in ReLEx FLEx, but in SMILE a flapless technique makes a small tunnel incision in the corneal periphery, that does not (mostly) destroy Bowman's layer.[14] Some theoretical advantages are that the technique is minimally invasive compared with LASIK and no collateral damage occurs to surrounding tissue due to the high speed of the femtosecond laser.There are limited studies on corneal wound healing and inflammatory response after this treatment has been carried out.