Primacy of Gemini Eye Clinic: Hyperopic ReLEx SMILE
Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, affects approximately 10% of the population. The Gemini Eye Clinic, led by Chief Surgeon Pavel Stodůlka, achieved a significant milestone in the treatment of this refractive error by performing the world's first surgery using the hyperopic ReLEx SMILE method. This method has recently received European CE certification and is now approved for clinical use.
Laser procedures are becoming increasingly popular in the Czech Republic, primarily due to their gentleness and accessibility. Unlike traditional LASIK and FEMTOLASIK methods, SMILE does not require the lifting of a corneal flap, which significantly reduces the risk of post-operative complications, such as dry eye syndrome. The laser creates only a small incision in the cornea, enabling faster healing. This method offers a safe and painless solution for correcting high hyperopia, improving near vision.
"The SMILE method is renowned for its minimally invasive approach, as it disrupts the cornea only slightly. This results in fast recovery with minimal complications. Until recently, SMILE was used exclusively for myopia correction, but it has now also been CE-certified for the treatment of high hyperopia," explained Pavel Stodůlka, a senior surgeon who played an active role in developing the procedure. Gemini Eye Clinic was instrumental in the international research, performing over 100 of the 374 surgeries conducted during clinical trials.
This innovative method will initially be available at the Gemini Clinic in Zlín.