Lenticular Extraction

Lenticular extraction, sometimes known as SMILE laser eye surgery, is the latest, proven laser procedure, with millions of procedures performed worldwide. It is a procedure used to correct refractive errors such as short-sightedness and astigmatism. It involves the removal of a precisely measured piece of cornea to alter the eye’s refractive power.

Lenticular extraction is ideal for individuals who have an active lifestyle and want a gentle procedure with rapid results without compromising the structure of the cornea.

FAQ

What is Lenticular Extraction?

This innovative technique corrects short-sightedness and astigmatism without requiring a flap or laser disruption to the front eye. One advanced laser corrects vision by creating a thin, contact lens-shaped layer of tissue within the cornea. The doctor removes this tissue through a small opening, a keyhole technique.

The treatment is very gentle and minimally invasive, providing quick and comfortable results. This enables you to return to your day-to-day life more quickly than other laser eye procedures.

Who is Lenticular Extraction for?

This procedure corrects short-sightedness and astigmatism. It is recommended if you:

Wear glasses and contact lenses for distance vision
Are over 18 years old with a stable prescription
Experience mild dry eyes or tend to rub your eyes
Live an active lifestyle
Want to experience rapid results and a quick recovery

When considering vision correction, you will need a detailed eye examination. This will ensure suitability and advise the most appropriate option for your vision needs.

How is Lenticular Extraction performed?

The actual procedure is performed in less than 15 minutes:

Numbing the eye: anaesthetic drops are given to numb the eye. Yes, that’s right, no needles or injections.
Correction of the refractive error: in one single step, the femtosecond laser gently creates the precise and thin lenticule of tissue, which corrects your vision and creates a tiny opening.
Removal of lenticule: our surgeon will remove the tissue, and the procedure is complete.

How long does Lenticular Extraction take?

The journey to good vision is simple and takes three steps:

1. Consultation

We perform a complete ophthalmic examination, including detailed scans and discuss your vision needs. Our consultant ophthalmologist will then explain the best treatment plan for you and answer all your questions.

2. Treatment

You will be with us for around an hour on the day of treatment. The actual laser procedure lasts for around 15 minutes. Once our specialist consultant ophthalmologists have completed your procedure, you can return home and relax.

3. After your procedure

We will evaluate your visual progress the following day and confirm your return to work and driving, with two further checks at one and six weeks. Then, you simply enjoy your new vision and life without glasses.

Lenticular Extraction Procedure

The procedure starts with a thorough eye examination to determine suitability. This involves extensive, specialised scanning, vision measurements and refraction, as well as checking the overall health of each individual’s eyes.

The surgery is performed with local anaesthetic eye drops to ensure the patient’s comfort.

The procedure is performed in our dedicated laser suite, where a single femtosecond laser is used to perform our lenticular extraction treatments by precisely creating a very thin disk of corneal tissue and a small opening. The surgeon then removes the contact lens shaped tissue through the opening, reshaping the cornea. The treatment is complete in around 15 minutes.

Recovery after is speedy, with most patients experiencing improved vision directly after surgery and achieving driving standard vision or better by the following day. The clarity of vision continues to improve day by day. It is essential to follow all postoperative instructions the surgeon provides to ensure proper healing and minimise the risk of complications. In summary, lenticular extraction procedures offer excellent results with a quick recovery while retaining corneal strength and limiting the long-term risk of dry eyes.

Why is Lenticular Extraction a good option?

This is the most recent laser eye surgery technique, available for over 10 years, and millions of procedures have already been performed globally. The method is gentle and has minimal impact on the integrity of the patient’s cornea, retaining strength without discomfort. Making this the ideal treatment for those individuals who enjoy an active lifestyle, contact sports and some key careers.

Lenticular extraction also benefits those patients who experience dry eyes or are concerned about this condition post-treatment.

If you are found a suitable candidate, we recommend this procedure for the following reasons: