Problem of myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia… Not always easy to know how to remedy it, to make the decision to have surgery, with what process or even to know if only this is possible and recommended.

In Strasbourg, for more than two months, a super ocular laser device from Zeiss, the Visumax 800 – successor to the 500 still used in the rest of France – allows very high-tech refractive surgery.

A magnet for the city because it is the only Visumax 800 in France.

"There are, for the moment, only six in Europe", emphasizes Philippe Burkhart, director of the Expert Vision Center in Strasbourg.

With this technology, it takes no more than 10 seconds “to correct a vision defect without opening the cornea or removing its surface layer,” he explains.

A tool with a technique called by the manufacturer of the laser: Smile (small incision lenticule extraction).

Not for everybody

Concretely, after pouring a few anesthetic drops into the eye, a lenticule is formed inside the cornea using the laser and then removed with forceps through a small 2 mm incision.

But you might as well say it right away so as not to raise false hopes, you should know that “20 to 25% of patients cannot benefit from the different types of refractive surgery, specifies Philippe Burkhart.

Often for too thin corneas, or too much myopia.

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Be that as it may, even before lying down comfortably for these 9 seconds of hope during which the machine and its articulated and robotic arms will operate, a deep and complete diagnosis must first be established.

A preoperative assessment carried out by an ophthalmologist surgeon to find out if the person is operable and which technique can be used, “Smile” or the most classic (Lasik or PKR).

Since the installation of the Visumax 800 on February 10, more than 100 patients have been treated with it and more than half have benefited from the “Smile” procedures, specifies Philippe Burkhart.

If refractive surgery saves an eye, it costs an arm

This laser radically changes the situation for those who can benefit from it, in addition to its speed – the cutting of the lenticule lasts less than 6 to 9 seconds against 30 previously – the operation is less painful for the patient, according to Philippe Burkhart.

This allows faster recovery by reducing dry eyes after the intervention and the discomfort associated with healing.

"The next day the patient completely recovers his sight and can go to work or even play sports," he says.

A technology for those who want to get rid of their glasses or contact lenses, but also for those who prepare for competitions such as for the army, the aviation and need a supplement to achieve the required criteria, provided that their vision is stabilized.

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This machine has a cost: an investment of more than half a million euros in the center of Strasbourg.

The premises, the consultation rooms and the technical platform are “available” to about fifteen surgeons from the region trained and approved on this laser, who take it in turns to operate on their own patients.

A way to pool resources and reach as many people as possible.

Moreover, customers come from all over Alsace but also from Luxembourg, Germany or the Territoire de Belfort.

But no mirage either.

If refractive surgery saves an eye, it costs an arm.

From 1,250 to 1,850 euros per eye, depending on the technique used.

The whole, not reimbursed by Social Security because it is a comfort surgery, even if a small part can be covered by mutual insurance.

In short, it's up to you.

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  • Strasbourg

  • Great East