Stable myopia
When refraction is stable and corneal anatomy is suitable.
About the service
CLEAR is lenticule-based laser vision correction without a corneal flap. The surgeon removes a laser-created lenticule through a small access incision; suitability is assessed before surgery.
Who the service is for
Myopic astigmatism
When type and magnitude fall within the platform and surgical protocol range.
Active lifestyle
The absence of a LASIK flap may matter when mechanical eye trauma is a concern.
Desire for less dependence on glasses or contacts
When diagnostics confirm medical suitability and expectations are realistic.
Normal corneal topography and tomography
When there are no signs of keratoconus, ectasia or suspicious corneal shape.
Patients choosing between KLEx procedures
CLEAR may be considered alongside SMILE based on platform features, astigmatism, centration and surgeon experience.
Corneal thickness
CLEAR requires comprehensive preoperative refractive diagnostics . The surgeon evaluates refractive error and stability, corneal shape and thickness, topography or tomography, ocular surface, crystalline lens, retina and other parameters. Contact lenses may temporarily alter corneal shape, so the discontinuation period should be confirmed with KazRIED according to lens type.
Symptoms requiring urgent care
CLEAR is an elective refractive procedure and does not treat retinal disease, glaucoma, cataract, keratoconus or other causes of reduced vision. Sudden visual loss, severe eye pain, ocular trauma, flashes, a sudden increase in floaters or a curtain-like visual field defect require urgent ophthalmic assessment.
Limitations and safety
CLEAR is an elective refractive procedure and does not treat retinal disease, glaucoma, cataract, keratoconus or other causes of reduced vision. Sudden visual loss, severe eye pain, ocular trauma, flashes, a sudden increase in floaters or a curtain-like visual field defect require urgent ophthalmic assessment. CLEAR should be selected only after contraindications have been excluded and the planned tissue removal is considered appropriate for the individual cornea.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Preoperative diagnostics
Assessment of refraction, cornea, ocular surface, retina and contraindications.
Stage 2
Day-of-surgery preparation
Data checks, topical anaesthesia and surgical-field preparation.
Stage 3
Docking and centration
The eye is positioned relative to the laser; the surgeon sets centration parameters.
Stage 4
Lenticule creation
The femtosecond laser creates two lenticule planes and surgical access within the cornea.
Stage 5
Separation and extraction
The surgeon separates the created planes and removes the lenticule through a small incision.
Stage 6
Checks and follow-up
The cornea is assessed after treatment and at subsequent KazRIED-scheduled visits.
Service benefits
No corneal flap
The technique creates no flap, avoiding risks specifically associated with flap displacement.
A small access incision
In lenticule extraction, the lenticule formed inside the cornea is removed through a small incision.
One femtosecond laser stage
A femtosecond laser creates the lenticule; this technique does not require excimer ablation.
Individualised centration
When planning CLEAR, the surgeon considers optical-zone positioning and astigmatism correction requirements.
Methods comparison · 1
Criterion
CLEAR
ReLEx SMILE
Femto LASIK
Principle
Ziemer lenticule extraction through a small incision
ZEISS lenticule extraction through a small incision
Femtosecond flap plus excimer ablation
Corneal flap
No
No
Yes
Excimer laser
Not required
Not required
Required
Centration / cyclotorsion
CLEAR platform options include centration choices and cyclotorsion compensation
Depends on VisuMax generation and protocol
Depends on femtosecond and excimer platforms
Intraoperative OCT
Possible on the appropriate Ziemer configuration
Not a core feature of classic SMILE
Platform dependent
Main application
Myopia and myopic astigmatism
Myopia and myopic astigmatism
Broader refractive range when indicated
CLEAR
Principle
Corneal flap
Excimer laser
Centration / cyclotorsion
Intraoperative OCT
Main application
Ziemer lenticule extraction through a small incision
No
Not required
CLEAR platform options include centration choices and cyclotorsion compensation
Possible on the appropriate Ziemer configuration
Myopia and myopic astigmatism
ZEISS lenticule extraction through a small incision
No
Not required
Depends on VisuMax generation and protocol
Not a core feature of classic SMILE
Myopia and myopic astigmatism
Femtosecond flap plus excimer ablation
Yes
Required
Depends on femtosecond and excimer platforms
Platform dependent
Broader refractive range when indicated
Methods comparison · 2
Criterion
LASIK
PRK
TransPRK
Principle
Microkeratome flap plus excimer ablation
Surface excimer ablation
Transepithelial surface ablation
Flap
Yes
No
No
Epithelial healing
No large central epithelial removal
Central epithelium regrows
Central epithelium is laser-removed and regrows
Early comfort
Often rapid recovery but flap remains relevant
Usually more discomfort during epithelial healing
Usually more discomfort during epithelial healing
Contact sports
Flap must be considered
No flap
No flap
Method selection
Based on diagnostics and current availability
Based on diagnostics, especially corneal parameters
Based on diagnostics and corneal parameters
LASIK
Principle
Flap
Epithelial healing
Early comfort
Contact sports
Method selection
Microkeratome flap plus excimer ablation
Yes
No large central epithelial removal
Often rapid recovery but flap remains relevant
Flap must be considered
Based on diagnostics and current availability
Surface excimer ablation
No
Central epithelium regrows
Usually more discomfort during epithelial healing
No flap
Based on diagnostics, especially corneal parameters
Transepithelial surface ablation
No
Central epithelium is laser-removed and regrows
Usually more discomfort during epithelial healing
No flap
Based on diagnostics and corneal parameters
Book an appointment
Book preoperative laser vision correction diagnostics at KazRIED. A refractive surgeon will assess your eyes, explain whether CLEAR is suitable and compare it with ReLEx SMILE, Femto LASIK, TransPRK or another strategy.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
CLEAR, 1 eye
from 250 000 ₸
Preoperative assessment for laser vision correction
from 28 000 ₸
Postoperative follow-up
Cost determined after consultation
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 28 years
Ophthalmologist
Kim Olga Robertovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
CLEAR — laser vision correction by lenticule extraction
CLEAR stands for Corneal Lenticule Extraction for Advanced Refractive Correction. It is a form of keratorefractive lenticule extraction.
How is the procedure performed?
A femtosecond laser creates a thin optical lenticule within the corneal stroma and a small surgical access incision. After the laser stage, the surgeon separates the lenticule along the laser-created planes and removes it.
Changing the amount of tissue in the central cornea alters its curvature and refractive power.
How does CLEAR differ from other methods?
- Unlike LASIK and Femto LASIK, no corneal flap is created.
- Unlike PRK and TransPRK, it does not require removal of the epithelium over a large central area.
How is it similar to ReLEx SMILE?
CLEAR shares its basic principle with ReLEx SMILE, but uses a different laser platform and has its own technological features.
These include centration options, cyclotorsion compensation, and the availability of intraoperative OCT monitoring with the appropriate Ziemer platform configuration.
Additional advice and situations
Assessment before treatment
1. Diagnostics confirm CLEAR suitability – the surgeon finalizes the treatment and follow-up plan.
Choosing an alternative method
2. CLEAR is not optimal but ReLEx SMILE may be suitable – another KLEx option is discussed.
Assessment before treatment
3. Lenticule extraction is not optimal but Femto LASIK or surface correction may be suitable – the method changes according to diagnostics.
Refractive measurement
4. Refraction is unstable – surgery is postponed until stability is confirmed.
Ocular surface status
5. Ocular surface disease is present – treatment and reassessment come first.
Corneal assessment
6. Suspicious corneal shape or another ocular disease is found – diagnosis and treatment of the primary condition take priority.
Diagnostic assessment and laser vision correction arrangements
A diagnostic assessment before laser vision correction starts at 28,000 ₸ in Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent. The tests included in the package and payment terms are clarified when booking.
Postoperative care in Almaty
Anti-inflammatory eye drops and an antibiotic are provided after laser vision correction.
Follow-up examinations during the first month are free of charge. Their timing depends on the correction method and recovery progress.
When medically indicated, a laser enhancement procedure within one year is performed free of charge, provided that an examination confirms its feasibility and safety.
Technologies and method selection
- In Almaty, the Ziemer FEMTO LDV Z8 Neo femtosecond platform is used to create the corneal flap.
- In Astana and Shymkent, mechanical LASIK is not performed: the flap is created using a femtosecond laser.
- In Astana, transepithelial PRK (TransPRK) is also considered for patients with thin corneas, depending on the examination findings.
The correction method for hyperopia is selected individually after a diagnostic assessment.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is CLEAR?
CLEAR is a laser vision correction procedure in which a femtosecond laser creates a refractive corneal lenticule that is removed through a small incision without creating a LASIK flap.
What does CLEAR stand for?
CLEAR stands for Corneal Lenticule Extraction for Advanced Refractive Correction.
How is CLEAR different from ReLEx SMILE?
Both are small-incision lenticule-extraction procedures performed without a LASIK flap. They differ mainly in laser platform, software and technical features of lenticule creation and extraction.
How is CLEAR different from Femto LASIK?
CLEAR does not create a LASIK flap and does not use excimer-laser ablation. Femto LASIK creates a flap with a femtosecond laser and then reshapes the cornea with an excimer laser.
Which refractive errors can CLEAR correct?
CLEAR is primarily used to correct myopia with or without astigmatism. Eligibility and treatment range are determined after diagnostic assessment and depend on ocular parameters and the laser platform used.
Can CLEAR treat hyperopia?
Standard CLEAR is primarily intended for myopia with or without astigmatism. For hyperopia, the refractive surgeon considers another appropriate procedure based on available technology and ocular findings.
Is CLEAR painful?
CLEAR is generally performed under topical anaesthesia. Pressure, touch or brief discomfort may be felt during some stages, but significant pain is not expected.
How long does CLEAR take?
Duration depends on whether one or both eyes are treated and on procedural factors. Laser treatment accounts for only part of the total time, which also includes preparation, positioning and initial postoperative assessment.
When does vision improve after CLEAR?
Many patients notice visual improvement soon after surgery, although recovery varies. Fluctuating clarity, dryness and light-related visual symptoms may occur during the first days.
Can I work the day after CLEAR?
Some patients can return to light work quickly. Timing depends on visual quality, comfort, visual demands and occupation and should follow the surgeon’s advice.