Jerry Tan Eye Surgery is introducing SmartSurfACE Laser eye surgery combined with customised corneal wavefront-guided treatment by SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, Germany using the SCHWIND Amaris 1050RS laser.
SmartSurfACE is an innovative laser treatment method that corrects shortsightedness and astigmatism without an instrument touching the cornea of the eye. It combines the benefits of touch-free Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (TransPRK) with innovative SmartPulse technology.
TransPRK is a non-touch surface laser treatment that uses only the laser to remove the superficial regenerative layer of the cornea (Epithelium) and reshape the substance of the cornea (Stroma) simultaneously. This technique is simple and safe. The laser also tracks all eye movements at a sampling rate of 1050Hz, making the procedure even safer.
SmartPulse technology applies the laser to the cornea in a three dimensional manner as in a Fullerene (dome-shaped) structure. This improves the surface quality beyond traditional refractive laser treatments.
The combination of TransPRK and SmartPulse technology creates a smooth corneal surface. SmartSurfACE also increases the consistency of the result of the laser treatment by reducing the time of treatment.
There is no instrument, no alcohol, no blade and no brush touching the eye. Vision is precisely corrected through the epithelium - there is no suction, no dissection or surgical manipulation, no pocket or flap created.
Surface ablation has an excellent intraoperative safety profile compared to LASIK, EpiLASIK, Refractive Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx), Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) or Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure.
SmartSurfACE is performed as a single step procedure with one laser. There is nearly no chance of failure.
The Fullerene treatment pattern creates an impressively smooth final post-treatment corneal surface at high speed. However, because the laser removes the superficial surface (Epithelium), it will take about 3 to 7 days to reach a good visual acuity.
Almost all patients suffering from short-sightedness with or without astigmatism are suitable.
It is especially ideal for physically active people like boxers, wrestlers, martial arts exponents, soldiers, military jet pilots and all occupations with a high risk of being hit in the eye.
SmartSurfACE is customized with corneal wavefront-guided treatment at our clinic for even better results.
It can also be combined with accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking to reshape and strengthen the eye. This is especially useful in patients with highly distorted and diseased eyes like patients with Keratoconus. It is also useful to remove scars from prior infections to the eye. It is also a preferred treatment method for correcting some of the complications from the SMILE procedure.
The SCHWIND Amaris 1050RS laser rapidly removes the corneal surface layers without the need of any flap (as in LASIK) or pocket creation (as in SMILE). There is no suction applied or blade scraping the eye as in Epi-LASIK.
Nothing needs to touch the cornea. Balanced salt solution is used to clean the eye and the all-laser SmartSurfACE treatment is commenced. 30 to 40 seconds later, the treatment is complete!
A thin transparent contact lens which is usually removed in 3 to 4 days after the SmartSurfACE treatment is placed over the eye to facilitate rapid healing and visual recovery.
During this time, the eye is a little sore and analgesia is given. Many patients can see an immediate improvement but it takes a week to a month for vision to reach its full potential.
Once the surface layers are healed, vision improves on a daily basis. LASIK has a faster recovery, but SmartSurfACE treatments are not far behind. After a month's time, there is no difference in vision between LASIK and SmartSurfACE patients.
To prevent the rare complication of "late onset haze", medication is used during surgery and patients are advised to protect their eyes from intensive UV exposure for 6 months after surgery.