New application

The first femtosecond-only method of laser vision correction from Carl Zeiss Meditec is now available for sale outside the United States. ReLEx is a new application that allows ophthalmic surgeons to perform a variety of complete laser vision correction procedures using only the VisuMax Femtosecond laser.

ReLEx allows for very small flap sizes, typically just 0.5 to 1 mm larger in diameter than the optical zone. Furthermore, ReLEx provides an easier and much faster workflow for the surgeon as the entire procedure can be performed using a single laser. To date, ReLEx procedures have been performed on more than 1000 eyes at a variety of locations outside the US.

In a recent study in which the ReLEx Femtosecond Lamellar Extraction (FLEX) method was performed by Professor Osama Ibrahim, MD at ALEX Laser Center in Alexandria, Egypt, ReLEx compared favourably to LASIK in terms of efficacy, stability, and safety. 102 eyes (71 female eyes and 31 male eyes) with myopia or myopic astigmatism with a spherical equivalent of -5.07 D ± 2.77 D were treated. At the 3-month follow-up, 95% of eyes treated were within ± 1.00 D and 76% of eyes were within ± 0.50 D of intended correction. Mean spherical equivalent was -0.17 D ± 0.64 D at 1 month. Stability was seen at one week postoperatively. A total of 85% of eyes achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or greater at 1 month and 84% of eyes showed UDVA of 20/25 or better at day one.

No change in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was reported in 69% of eyes however, a gain of one or more lines was achieved in 9% of eyes. A loss of more than 2 lines occurred in 2 percent at 1 month.

“Until now, laser vision correction has been a two-part process in which the patient must be moved from one platform to another, ” said Professor Osama Ibrahim. “With ReLEx using the VisuMax Femtosecond Laser, I achieved consistently excellent visual outcomes while enhancing patient comfort, both of which are essential to achieve a high level of satisfaction in today’s elective surgery environment. ”