Special care for the eyes

OPTIMAX Eye Specialist Centre Sdn Bhd in Taman Tun Dr Ismail hopes to grow its presence in the eye-care market by being the first in the indsutry to provide a new typer of surgical technology.

The procedure, known as Visumax ReLEx Smile or Refractive Lenticule Extraction, is currently available in other parts of South-East Asia, but in Malaysia, Optimax is the first eye-care company to embrace the technology.

Optimax Eye Specialist marketing director Sandy Tan said the company, which began operations 18 years ago, has always strived to provide exceptional surgical skills and unrivalled technology in its efforts to become the ultimate player in patient care and service.

“Our mission is simple — to be recognised as the leader in refractive surgery in Malaysia. We have continued to be at the forefront of the market by offering the latest treatment in technology and techniques,” she said.

Tan said the Visumax ReLEx Smile procedure is a safer surgical method for patients as it makes a minimal incision to the front of the cornea, thus correcting a high degree of near-sightedness.

Despite the thought of being free from glasses, Tan said some people were unwilling to go for eye-correction surgery as the traditional laser treatment involves cutting a flap off the front of the cornea and using a laser to change the shape of the cornea to correct the vision.

Tan added that ReLEx Smile is the future of treatment options.

“It is a quicker and gentler treatment as opposed to the traditional laser methods,” she said.

Optimax senior consultant ophthalmologist Dr Chuah Kay Leong said ReLEx Smile was a less invasive method to treat near-sightedness and astigmatism.

“All we need to do is make a 4mm opening with a laser. No corneal flap is created thus eliminating complications. It is 100% bladeless. It is also offers minimal post operative discomfort. Only experienced surgeons undertake this procedure that takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete both eyes,” he said.

Chuah said most people preferred laser eye surgery and new developments that were less invasive with no blades.

“ReLEx Smile uses one laser to correct vision unlike the traditional two lasers that require the patient to be moved and there is no temporary loss of vision during the procedure. As a result, the ReLEx Smile technique requires a smaller surface incision in the upper cornea. The biomechanical stability of the vital upper layers of the cornea remains largely intact. For the patient, this means a gentle, minimally invasive operation,” he added.

Dr Chuah said the innovative treatment was suitable for those ages above 18 to 45 years. Carl Zeiss Pte Ltd South-East Asia regional business development manager Imran Virani said the ReLEx Smile technology had been researched for 12 years and, over the last one-and-a-half years, it had been offered commercially.