8 Questions to Ask Your Ophthalmologist Before Eye Surgery

Eye surgery is required for many reasons. In the case of ReLEx SMILE surgery in Toronto, surgery is used to address nearsightedness. The surgery is bladeless and flapless and requires only one laser.

Undergoing eye surgery can be stressful. At Clearview Vision Institute, we understand the daunting nature of any surgical procedure, especially one impacting vision. Our team of experienced ophthalmologists is well-versed in ReLEx SMILE treatment and can answer any questions you might have prior to surgery. 

If you’re considering ReLEx bladeless surgery, we can help. One of the best ways to support our patients is to keep you informed. If you have questions, we want to hear them. Not sure what to ask? Here are 9 questions you should ask your ophthalmologist if you’re considering ReLEx SMILE surgery. 

1. How does ReLEx Surgery fix my nearsightedness?

The surgery helps reverse nearsightedness by changing how light is refracted in your eye. We do this by altering the shape of your cornea. Before you undergo surgery, numbing drops are added to your eye. These reduce discomfort and pain during the procedure. 

Your ophthalmologist then uses a femtosecond laser to create an incision in the cornea. Tissue is removed from the lens through the small incision, which causes the cornea to reshape. Tissue removal is calculated for precise changes to your eye shape. The result is no more nearsightedness.

2. Is surgery especially invasive?

Not at all. Due to the very small single laser incision, recovery time for this procedure is minimal. You might feel lingering discomfort for the week following surgery, and your vision won’t be at its best until your eyes are fully healed. 

One of the great things about ReLEx SMILE vs. alternative Lasik surgeries is the very small amount of cornea and lens tissue affected. The upper layers of your cornea are generally not impacted at all by this procedure, letting your eye heal quickly. 

Following the surgery, you should have somebody come pick you up and take you home. You will likely need to take about a week off from work to rest and recover, although your vision may be recovered within a few days. 

3. What tasks should I avoid following surgery?

Once you’re healed there are no tasks you need to avoid that you didn’t avoid prior to surgery. During your healing time, however, you should reduce the amount of time that is spent on the following activities (exact timelines can be discussed with our doctors):

• Applying eye makeup
• Reading
• Staring at bright screens (computers, tablets, phones, etc.)
• Driving

These activities could strain your eyes, or in the case of eye makeup, it could cause infection if applied too early. The chance of infection in ReLEx SMILE surgery is minimal, but if you get a foreign substance in your eye before the incision heals it could cause problems. 

4. Are you very experienced with this surgery?

It’s important to feel confident about your surgeon before you make any commitments to ReLEx SMILE treatment. Asking your ophthalmologist about their history with the flapless surgery can help relieve your concerns, and ensure you get the best possible care. 

Your doctor should be able to offer you some background information on their experience using the treatment, including:

• How many they have performed
• Their average success rate
• Certification or degree and other qualifications

5. Is there a ReLEx SMILE alternative?

Of course, there are many different types of laser eye surgery, and your ophthalmologist should be familiar with all of them. At Clearview Vision Institute, we pride ourselves on knowing all the latest treatments and having all the upgraded and relevant equipment to perform the surgeries our patients need. 

Never be afraid to say no to your doctor if you feel a procedure isn’t right for you. There are many options available to correct nearsightedness, including glasses and contact lenses, which require no surgery. There are also alternative laser surgeries, although none as minimal and high in successful results as ReLEx SMILE surgery. 

6. Will the procedure fix my astigmatism?

Absolutely! ReLEx SMILE surgery helps correct astigmatism as well as nearsightedness. 

Before the procedure, your doctor will diagnose your eyes to determine where all the issues are located. This helps determine where to remove tissue and how much lens tissue should go. The reshaping of the cornea is highly specific to you and your vision correction requirements. Following the procedure, you should have 20/20 vision. 

7. Will my medical coverage pay for this?

Maybe. Every insurance provider is different. ReLEx SMILE surgery in Toronto isn’t covered by Ontario medical coverage. This means extended insurance through a medical insurance provider is needed if you don’t want to pay full price for your procedure. 

We can provide a quote that you can submit to your insurance company to see if they have any coverage.

8. How long will the procedure take?

Surprisingly, ReLEx SMILE surgery takes less than 20 minutes to complete. The healing process takes far longer than the surgery itself, but that’s because of the tissue removal and regeneration process. 

Expect to be in the office longer than 10-minutes due to prep time and follow-up consultation following the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will want to make sure you’re feeling ok and comfortable to go home before you leave. 

For more information about ReLEx SMILE surgery in Toronto, call Clearview Vision Institute at 1-647-493-6371 or contact us here.