Stable myopia
For patients with stable refraction when corneal and ocular parameters meet procedural criteria.
About the service
ReLEx SMILE corrects vision by removing a laser-created corneal lenticule through a small incision. No corneal flap is created; suitability is determined after diagnostic assessment.
Who the service is for
Myopic astigmatism
For myopia combined with regular astigmatism within the platform-specific treatment range.
Active lifestyle
The absence of a LASIK flap may be relevant when mechanical eye trauma is a concern.
Difficulty with glasses or contacts
For patients seeking less dependence on optical correction and who are medically suitable.
Patients with normal corneal screening
Only when topography/tomography shows no ectatic pattern or other contraindication.
Patients with ocular surface symptoms
May be considered after ocular surface assessment and treatment; dry eye remains possible.
Corneal thickness
Before surgery, patients need a dedicated laser vision correction work-up. It assesses more than refractive error: corneal shape and thickness, refractive stability, ocular surface, crystalline lens and retina are evaluated. Contact lenses can temporarily alter corneal measurements, so the required discontinuation period should be confirmed with KazRIED.
When urgent care is needed
Sudden vision loss, significant eye pain, ocular trauma, flashes, a sudden increase in floaters or a curtain-like visual field defect require urgent ophthalmic assessment and should not wait for elective refractive surgery.
Cataract and lens condition
ReLEx SMILE does not treat retinal disease, glaucoma, cataract, keratoconus or other causes of reduced vision.
Do not change medicines yourself
It changes corneal optical power and does not replace routine eye care.
Limitations and safety
Sudden vision loss, significant eye pain, ocular trauma, flashes, a sudden increase in floaters or a curtain-like visual field defect require urgent ophthalmic assessment and should not wait for elective refractive surgery. ReLEx SMILE does not treat retinal disease, glaucoma, cataract, keratoconus or other causes of reduced vision. It changes corneal optical power and does not replace routine eye care.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Preoperative diagnostics
Confirmation of refractive stability and corneal safety.
Stage 2
Day-of-surgery preparation
Data checks, topical anaesthesia and surgical-field preparation.
Stage 3
Femtosecond stage
The laser creates a lenticule and small access incision within the cornea.
Stage 4
Lenticule extraction
The surgeon separates the created tissue planes and removes the lenticule through the incision.
Stage 5
Initial check
Assessment of the eye and individual advice.
Stage 6
Postoperative follow-up
Monitoring recovery and refractive outcome according to KazRIED's schedule.
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.
Less dependence on glasses
Laser correction can reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses when clinically appropriate.
Methods comparison
Criterion
ReLEx SMILE
Femto LASIK
LASIK
PRK / TransPRK
CLEAR
Principle
Intrastromal lenticule removed through a small incision
Femtosecond flap + excimer ablation
Microkeratome flap + excimer ablation
Surface excimer ablation
Lenticule extraction on another platform
Corneal flap
No
Yes
Yes
No
No classic LASIK flap
Excimer laser
Not required for classic SMILE
Required
Required
Required
Usually not required
Main refractive intent
Myopia, myopic astigmatism
Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism when indicated
Depends on available treatment program
Broad range when indicated
Myopia/astigmatism according to platform
Corneal surface
Small incision
Larger flap circumference
Larger flap circumference
Central epithelial area heals again
Small incision
Flap-related risks
No flap displacement
Present
Present
No
No classic flap displacement
Comfort recovery
Usually rapid, individually variable
Usually rapid, individually variable
Usually rapid, individually variable
Often longer because of epithelial healing
Usually rapid, platform dependent
Dry eye
Possible; some measures may recover faster than after FS-LASIK
Possible
Possible
Possible
Possible
Contact sports
No flap may be an advantage after medical clearance
Flap must be considered
Flap must be considered
No flap
No flap
Enhancement
Requires separate technique selection
Enhancement options exist
Enhancement options exist
Depends on tissue and refraction
Depends on platform and tissue
Key diagnostic filter
Tomography/topography, thickness, stable refraction, ocular surface
Same + flap/ablation parameters
Same
Same + epithelial healing considerations
Same + platform requirements
Method selection
Based on diagnostics, not marketing ranking
Based on diagnostics
Based on diagnostics
Based on diagnostics
Based on diagnostics
ReLEx SMILE
Principle
Corneal flap
Excimer laser
Main refractive intent
Corneal surface
Flap-related risks
Comfort recovery
Dry eye
Contact sports
Enhancement
Key diagnostic filter
Method selection
Intrastromal lenticule removed through a small incision
No
Not required for classic SMILE
Myopia, myopic astigmatism
Small incision
No flap displacement
Usually rapid, individually variable
Possible; some measures may recover faster than after FS-LASIK
No flap may be an advantage after medical clearance
Requires separate technique selection
Tomography/topography, thickness, stable refraction, ocular surface
Based on diagnostics, not marketing ranking
Femtosecond flap + excimer ablation
Yes
Required
Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism when indicated
Larger flap circumference
Present
Usually rapid, individually variable
Possible
Flap must be considered
Enhancement options exist
Same + flap/ablation parameters
Based on diagnostics
Microkeratome flap + excimer ablation
Yes
Required
Depends on available treatment program
Larger flap circumference
Present
Usually rapid, individually variable
Possible
Flap must be considered
Enhancement options exist
Same
Based on diagnostics
Surface excimer ablation
No
Required
Broad range when indicated
Central epithelial area heals again
No
Often longer because of epithelial healing
Possible
No flap
Depends on tissue and refraction
Same + epithelial healing considerations
Based on diagnostics
Lenticule extraction on another platform
No classic LASIK flap
Usually not required
Myopia/astigmatism according to platform
Small incision
No classic flap displacement
Usually rapid, platform dependent
Possible
No flap
Depends on platform and tissue
Same + platform requirements
Based on diagnostics
Book an appointment
Book a preoperative laser vision correction assessment at KazRIED. After testing, a refractive surgeon will explain whether ReLEx SMILE is suitable for your eyes, compare alternatives and recommend an appropriate treatment strategy.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
ReLEx SMILE laser vision correction, 1 eye
from 313 000 ₸
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
Experience: 19 years
Ophthalmologist
Beysenbaeva Zarina Anvarbekovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 16 years
Head
Rasulov Idris Rashidovich
First-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 19 years
Pediatric and Adult Ophthalmologist
Ayatkhan Zhanbota Ayatkhanqyzy
Service details
ReLEx SMILE belongs to keratorefractive lenticule extraction procedures. A femtosecond laser creates a thin refractive lenticule within the corneal stroma according to the planned correction. The surgeon separates and removes the lenticule through a small peripheral incision, changing corneal curvature and optical power. Unlike LASIK and Femto LASIK, no corneal flap is created.
Unlike PRK and TransPRK, a large central epithelial area is not removed. SMILE is not universally superior: suitability depends on refraction, corneal topography and tomography, tissue thickness, ocular surface, age, lifestyle and other clinical factors.
Additional advice and situations
Assessment before treatment
1. Diagnostics confirm SMILE suitability – the surgeon finalizes the surgical and follow-up plan.
Choosing an alternative method
2. SMILE is not optimal but another method may be suitable – Femto LASIK, CLEAR, PRK/TransPRK or another option is discussed.
Refractive measurement
3. Refraction is unstable – surgery is postponed until stability is confirmed.
Ocular surface status
4. Ocular surface disease is present – treatment and repeat assessment come first.
Corneal assessment
5. Suspicious corneal findings are detected – refractive surgery is deferred pending further evaluation.
Retinal assessment
6. Retinal, lens or other ocular disease is found – the primary condition takes priority.
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 ReLEx SMILE?
ReLEx SMILE is a laser vision correction procedure in which a femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal lenticule that is removed through a small incision without creating a LASIK flap.
Which refractive errors does ReLEx SMILE correct?
Classic ReLEx SMILE is primarily used to correct myopia with or without myopic astigmatism. Eligibility and treatment range are determined after diagnostic assessment.
Does ReLEx SMILE correct hyperopia?
Classic ReLEx SMILE is not a standard treatment for hyperopia. For farsightedness, the refractive surgeon considers other appropriate technologies based on the available platform and ocular findings.
How is SMILE different from Femto LASIK?
SMILE does not create a corneal flap; the lenticule is removed through a small incision. Femto LASIK creates a flap with a femtosecond laser and then reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser.
How is SMILE different from CLEAR?
Both are lenticule-extraction procedures performed without a conventional LASIK flap. They use different laser platforms and proprietary approaches to lenticule creation and extraction. Selection depends on diagnostic findings and available equipment.
Is ReLEx SMILE painful?
The procedure is generally performed under topical anaesthesia. Pressure, touch or brief discomfort may be felt, but significant pain is not expected.
How long does ReLEx SMILE take?
Duration depends on whether one or both eyes are treated and on procedural factors. Laser treatment accounts for only part of the visit, which also includes preparation, positioning and initial postoperative assessment.
When will vision improve after SMILE?
Many patients notice substantial visual improvement soon after surgery. Clarity may fluctuate during the first days, and dryness or light-related visual symptoms can occur. Vision stabilizes gradually.
Can I work the day after SMILE?
Some patients can return to light work quickly, but timing depends on visual quality, symptoms, visual demands and occupation. Return to work should follow the surgeon’s advice.
Is SMILE suitable for a thin cornea?
Not automatically. Corneal thickness is only one criterion. Corneal shape and tomography, required correction, residual stromal thickness and ectasia risk must also be assessed.