Accordingly, the SMILE method is performed on the VISUMAX system - a Femtosecond laser system from Carl Zeiss (Germany) - and offers a minimally invasive refractive surgery method that does not use a scalpel, maximally preserving the original structure of the cornea and completely eliminating the risk of complications related to the corneal flap.

In early 2023, DND International Eye Hospital was honored to receive the award for "Hospital with the most ReLEx SMILE surgeries in Vietnam".

To date, 10 years after installing the VISUMAX 500 system, DND International Eye Hospital is one of the first international-standard eye hospitals to install and introduce the VISUMAX 800 system with the SMILE pro method into refractive surgery. This method uses a laser frequency of up to 2MHz, allowing corneal tissue separation surgery to be performed in just 8 seconds, nearly three times faster than the old method.

According to Jessica Yu, MD, Head of Training and Application for Refractive Laser Devices in the Asia- Pacific region for Carl Zeiss, many patients are anxious before surgery, or they may blink easily, have eyes that are too small, or experience eye irritation, etc. Therefore, shortening the surgery time to just 8 seconds will lead to much easier patient cooperation.

Furthermore, the VISUMAX 800 system from SMILE pro adds two extremely important new features. These are the laser head rotation feature, which helps doctors easily adjust the laser head to match the astigmatism axis of the patient's eye, helping astigmatism patients achieve maximum visual quality after surgery. In addition to the laser head rotation feature, this new technology also includes the ability to accurately detect eye movement around its axis, automatically centering the eye and delivering precise treatment results.

Ms. Jessica Yu, MD - Head of Training and Application for Refractive Laser Devices in the Asia -Pacific region of Carl Zeiss, and Dr. Pham Thi Hang, Head of the Refraction Department at DND International Eye Hospital, discussed the SMILE pro method.

Carl Zeiss has also redesigned the VISUMAX 800 to be more arm-friendly, adopting the "Smart Robotic Assistance" approach. This design allows doctors to adjust flexibly to each case, minimizing anxiety and stress for patients during surgery.

For any hospital, success is most clearly demonstrated by the number of patients successfully treated. With over 20,000 people regaining their sight thanks to the SMILE surgical method, along with numerous other surgeries performed using different techniques, DND International Eye Hospital has achieved a very high level of prestige. This success is due to its team of highly experienced surgeons, including Dr. Nguyen Dang Dung – one of the first surgeons in Vietnam to perform refractive error surgery.

According to Dr. Dang Thi Nhu Quynh, Deputy Director and Head of Surgery Department at DND International Eye Hospital: "DND's motto is to always be at the forefront of updating technology so that patients can benefit from the best and most modern treatment methods. However, besides technology, there is an even more important factor: the surgeon. A good surgeon is not simply someone who successfully performs a surgery, but also someone who can make decisions and handle all the complex situations that may arise during the operation."

Doctor Dang Thi Nhu Quynh is performing refractive surgery on a patient using the SMILE pro method.

Currently, DND is one of the few specialized eye hospitals capable of synchronizing its equipment systems from examination to surgery. This includes systems such as Cirrus OCT-HD retinal tomography, VISUCAM HD fundus photography, Vumax HD ultrasound, Schwind Sirius corneal mapping, and surgical systems like Mel90, VISUMAX 500, and VISUMAX 800. This synchronization speeds up the examination and treatment process for patients and standardizes examination data. Furthermore, DND's 8-step international standard in-depth examination process helps doctors detect all possible risks, leading to the most accurate diagnosis of the patient's condition and the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.

With the accumulated experience and risk management skills of the doctors, along with the regular updating of new technologies, Dr. Dang Thi Nhu Quynh affirms that DND can perform all refractive surgery methods in the world to date, and perform them skillfully.

Currently, DND International Eye Hospital is running the "Shining Days DND 2023 - Better vision for better life" program, supporting up to 49% of the cost of surgical treatments for refractive errors and presbyopia, combined with the Cross-linking corneal stabilization technique. Program information and related details can be found at: https://matquocte.vn/


 THANH HAI