Is ReLEx SMILE better than LASIK?

ReLEx SMILE and SmartSight are minimally invasive procedures without a flap, which eliminates the risk of dry eyes and flap complications. However, Femto-LASIK is still necessary for farsightedness.

How much does ReLEx SMILE cost?

The market rate is 1,800 to 3,000 euros. At EyeLaser Zurich, we offer the more modern SmartSight method (comparable to SMILE Pro) for a transparent 2,500 CHF per eye.

When does full vision occur with ReLEx SMILE?

An improvement is noticeable immediately. Since the brain has to get used to the new vision, full visual acuity is usually reached after 1 to 3 days.

What to look out for after ReLEx SMILE?

Rest your eyes on the day of surgery and do not drive. Light exercise and showering are possible immediately. Swimming pools and saunas should be avoided for two weeks.

Pain with ReLEx SMILE?

No, the procedure is painless thanks to anesthetic drops. After the anesthesia wears off, a slight burning or tearing sensation may occur, which passes quickly.

What is the difference between ZEISS VISUMAX 500 and 800?

The Visumax 800 (SMILE Pro) is faster and more precise than the 500. At EyeLaser, we use the SCHWIND ATOS (SmartSight), which is technologically on the level of the 800 and additionally features highly developed eye tracking.

What is ReLEx SMILE and how does the process work?

It is a lenticule extraction: a femtosecond laser forms a lens-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) in the cornea, which is removed through a tiny incision. This corrects the refractive error without a flap.

Who is ReLEx SMILE suitable for and which visual defects can be corrected?

Ideal for nearsightedness up to -10 dpt and astigmatism up to 5 dpt. Farsightedness cannot be corrected with it.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of lenticule extraction with ReLEx SMILE?

Advantages: Minimally invasive, no flap, high stability, fewer dry eyes. Disadvantages: No correction of farsightedness possible, no follow-up treatment with the same method.

How long does healing take after ReLEx SMILE treatment?

Vision is usually very good by the next day. Complete healing and stabilization usually take two to three weeks.

How much does a ReLEx SMILE treatment cost in Switzerland?

Prices vary. At EyeLaser, the comparable, state-of-the-art SmartSight treatment costs 2,500 CHF per eye. Installment payment is possible.

Laser eye surgery Zurich-Switzerland

ReLEx SMILE®, SMILE® pro and the Evolution of Eye Laser Treatment: SmartSight in Zurich

Have you researched eye laser surgery extensively and are looking for the modern, minimally invasive "ReLEx SMILE" or "SMILE pro" method? Congratulations on your excellent research! You are looking for the medical procedure known as lenticule extraction (KLEX). At EyeLaser Zurich, we are great proponents of this breakthrough technology. However, to meet our Swiss quality standards, we have opted for the further development of this procedure after intensive medical evaluation: SmartSight. Discover why we rely on the state-of-the-art SCHWIND ATOS laser for your visual freedom and how this evolution of lenticule extraction works to your advantage.

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What is Lenticule Extraction (KLEX)?

Behind brand names such as ReLEx® SMILE, SMILE® pro (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) or SmartSight (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions) lies the same ingenious medical principle: Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction (KLEX).

In this procedure, a high-precision femtosecond laser prepares a tiny lens-shaped piece of tissue (the lenticule) inside the intact cornea. This lenticule is then gently removed by the surgeon through a microscopic access point (approx. 2–3 millimeters).

Your advantages with this class of technology:

No large flap (corneal lid) needs to be cut and folded back.
The stability of the uppermost corneal layer remains almost completely intact.
The fine nerves on the surface of the eye are spared as much as possible, which drastically minimizes the risk of permanent dry eyes.

The Traffic Light System: Who benefits the most?

We treat patients from the greater Zurich area (Winterthur, Zug, Aargau, St. Gallen) and the surrounding 150 km region. An exact suitability test is our primary duty.

🟢 Green Light (Ideal for SmartSight / KLEX):
You are between 18 and 50 years old, suffer from nearsightedness (up to -10 diopters) or astigmatism (up to 5 diopters). Your vision has been stable for at least one year.

🟡 Yellow Light (Alternative laser procedures):
You are farsighted. The lenticule procedure is currently primarily optimized for nearsightedness and astigmatism. Our solution: In this case, FemtoLASIK with the Ziemer laser or the SCHWIND Amaris is the global gold standard. For very thin corneas, we recommend the touch-free TransPRK.

🔴 Red Light (Currently Not Suitable):
You have extremely high diopter values (over -10 dpt), a protrusion of the cornea (keratoconus), or are pregnant. Our alternative: If the laser reaches its limits, we implant high-precision EVO Visian ICL lenses to still enable you to live a life without glasses.

Treatment Comparison: Methods for Nearsightedness & Astigmatism

Feature	SmartSight (SCHWIND)	SMILE® / SMILE® pro (Zeiss)	FemtoLASIK (Ziemer/SCHWIND)	TransPRK (Touch-Free)
Technology Basis	Lenticule Extraction (KLEX)	Lenticule Extraction (KLEX)	Flap Procedure	Surface Treatment
Corneal Lid (Flap)	No (minimal access)	No (minimal access)	Yes	No
Eyetracking (Live)	✔️ Yes (Integrated)	Partial (depending on generation)	✔️ Yes (7D Tracking)	✔️ Yes (7D Tracking)
Cyclotorsion Compensation	✔️ Yes (Automatic)	Available with SMILE pro	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
Healing Time	Very fast (24h)	Very fast (24h)	Very fast (24h)	Medium (3-5 days)

Before Treatment: Your Checklist

To ensure our SCHWIND ATOS laser can scan your eye with millimeter precision, you must adhere to the following rules:

Contact lens break: Refrain completely from wearing contact lenses for 1 week (soft lenses) or 3 weeks (hard lenses) before the initial examination.
On the Day of Surgery: Do not apply any make-up, perfume, hairspray, or strongly scented face creams at all. The fumes disrupt the laser’s sensitive microclimate.
Safety: Please come to our Zurich clinic with an accompanying person, as you are not allowed to drive a vehicle after the procedure (your driver’s license is suspended for that day).

Healing Process and Timeline: Your Path to Clear Vision

The minimally invasive SmartSight technology ensures impressively fast regeneration:

Ein Leben ohne Brille – Erfolgsgeschichten aus Zürich

Day of treatment (Day 0): After just a few minutes in the operating room, the procedure is complete. Your vision is cloudy, as if looking through a fogged-up window. Rest at home with your eyes closed.
After 24 hours: At the first follow-up check in Zurich, you will experience the “wow” effect. Vision is usually already at 80–100%. Screen work and reading are possible again.
After 7 days: You may resume jogging, perform light fitness training, and carefully apply eye makeup.
After 1 month: Full clearance for swimming, sauna visits, martial arts, and rubbing your eyes. The cornea is extremely stable.

Why we rely on SCHWIND technology

We deeply respect the pioneering work that Zeiss has done with ReLEx SMILE. However, as responsible eye surgeons in Switzerland, we have chosen the system that, in our view, offers the highest level of technical safety and comfort for you.

“ReLEx SMILE opened the door to minimally invasive eye laser surgery. However, when we at EyeLaser Zurich were faced with the decision to invest in this technology, we chose the SCHWIND ATOS laser and the SmartSight procedure. The integrated eye tracker and the automatic detection of eye rotation (cyclotorsion) offer us the possibility to treat astigmatism with a precision that meets our Swiss quality standards without compromise.”
— Dr. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, Lead Eye Surgeon EyeLaser Zurich

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE (Disclaimer)

ReLEx® and SMILE® as well as SMILE® pro are registered trademarks of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. EyeLaser Zurich does not use Zeiss lasers for lenticule extraction and does not offer the procedure under these brand names. We practice the medically comparable procedure of lenticule extraction (KLEX) using the SCHWIND ATOS laser (SmartSight).

Honest medicine according to Swiss standards (MedBG)

We do not give any healing guarantees. Every human body is unique. Our medical goal is your freedom from glasses with extremely high predictability of results. As with any surgical intervention, temporary side effects such as dry eyes or nocturnal halos (rings of light) may occur, but these usually subside completely during the healing process.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about ReLEx SMILE, SMILE pro and SmartSight

Does EyeLaser in Zurich offer ReLEx SMILE?

No. ReLEx SMILE is a brand name of the Zeiss company. We offer the identical medical principle (lenticule extraction without a flap) in its modernized form called SmartSight, for which we use the SCHWIND ATOS laser.

What is the difference between SMILE pro and SmartSight?

Both are highly developed lenticule extraction procedures. SmartSight (SCHWIND) impresses with very advanced eye tracking and intelligent cyclotorsion tracking (detects the rolling of the eye when lying down). This brings maximum precision, especially for astigmatism.

Is SmartSight more expensive than ReLEx SMILE?

The costs for lenticule extraction procedures (whether SMILE or SmartSight) are similar in Switzerland and reflect the use of absolute high-end lasers. We will provide you with a binding, transparent fixed price after the preliminary examination.

Are follow-up checks included in the price?

Yes, our fixed prices at EyeLaser Zurich include the procedure, all medical consumables, and the standard medical follow-up checks in the initial period.

Do you offer installment plans for Swiss patients?

Of course. We want medical excellence to remain affordable. You can conveniently finance the treatment costs through customized installment payment models.

Does health insurance pay for the procedure?

Swiss basic insurance (KVG) does not pay for refractive procedures, as these are considered lifestyle medicine. However, many supplementary insurance plans (VVG) contribute with flat-rate amounts.

Does the removal of the lenticule hurt?

No. Your eyes are completely anesthetized with special drops. You will only feel a slight sensation of pressure on the eye during the procedure, but absolutely no pain.

What happens if I blink during the SmartSight treatment?

A gentle lid speculum keeps your eye gently open; blinking is physically impossible. You don’t have to worry about that.

What happens if I move my eye during the laser treatment?

This is exactly where the strength of the SmartSight procedure with the SCHWIND ATOS laser lies: the integrated eye-tracking system continuously monitors the eye and compensates for minimal movements or stops the laser immediately.

How long does the procedure take?

The laser itself is only active for about 15 to 25 seconds per eye. The entire preparation and operation usually takes only 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes together.

Can farsightedness be treated with SMILE or SmartSight?

Currently, lenticule extraction procedures are primarily approved and optimized for nearsightedness and astigmatism. For farsightedness (hyperopia), we achieve outstanding results with the proven FemtoLASIK.

How long will I be on sick leave after a SmartSight treatment?

Since no large corneal lid is cut, healing is extremely fast. Many of our patients in Zurich are back at their computers 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

When can I drive a car again after the surgery?

You must not drive yourself under any circumstances on the day of the operation. We usually give you clearance to participate in road traffic again at the first follow-up check the next day.

When can I do sports again?

Light training (jogging, cycling) is allowed again after a few days. You must wait about 4 weeks for swimming pool visits, saunas, or martial arts to protect against infection.

Does SmartSight cause dry eyes?

One of the greatest advantages of lenticule extraction (compared to older procedures) is the maximum preservation of the corneal nerves. As a result, the risk of postoperative, severely dry eyes is significantly lower, even if moisturizing drops are still needed regularly at first.

Can I be treated with astigmatism?

Yes, SmartSight corrects astigmatism up to 5 diopters very precisely. This is precisely where the cyclotorsion compensation of the SCHWIND ATOS laser shows its full strength.

Is there a risk of going blind?

In lenticule extraction, the laser works exclusively within the cornea (the outermost shell of the eye). It does not penetrate the interior of the eye. Blindness from this laser procedure is practically impossible.

When can I wear makeup again?

We recommend refraining from mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow for at least one week to avoid dirt particles getting into the eye or rubbing hard when removing makeup.

What happens if the result is not perfect?

The predictability of SmartSight is extremely high. Should a medically relevant residual refractive error nevertheless remain, a follow-up correction within a predefined period (often 1 year) is included in the treatment price.

Why do I have to refrain from contact lenses before the examination?

Contact lenses temporarily deform the cornea. To program the laser with micrometer precision, we need the natural, unadulterated shape of your eye.

Are both eyes operated on the same day?

Yes, it is the global medical standard to treat both eyes in the same session immediately one after the other. This minimizes your stress and speeds up rehabilitation.

How quickly can I get an appointment for a suitability check in Zurich?

We offer you prompt appointments. We can often carry out a quick check within a few days to see if SmartSight lenticule extraction is suitable for your eyes.