The first ten patients have received laser eye surgery using an innovative method to correct shortsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. — Photo HCM City’s Eye Hospital

HCM CITY — The first ten patients have received laser eye surgery using an innovative method to correct shortsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, Dr Phạm Hồng Thái, head of HCM City’s Eye Hospital’s Refraction Department has said.

Dr Mai said that SmartSurfACE was an innovative laser treatment that corrects shortsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism without touching or cutting the cornea of patients’ eyes, ensuring safety, reducing complications, and providing better vision.

During surgery, the machine emits a laser which shines straight into patients’ eyes. The surgery takes a very short time – just one to two minutes. Recovery time is also very short, at one week.

One of the advantages of the method is that patients with thin corneas could be eligible for the treatment, she said.

The cost for the surgery ranges between VNĐ19-21 million (US$836-924) for two eyes with refractive values below eight degrees.

Currently, there are three popular methods of eye laser treatment, including Smile, Femto Lasik and Lasik.

According to Dr Trần Hải Yến, senior consultant of High-tech Eye Centre of the Hospital 30-4, among the three methods, the cost of Lasik at between VNĐ10-12 million ($440-528) per eye is the lowest, but poses risks of complications during and after surgery.

Femto Lasik is safer, but still contains potential corneal flap complications after surgery due to post-surgery injuries. The cost of this surgery is about VNĐ20-22 million ($880-968) per eye.

Smile is considered the safest method. Patients will not find any corneal flap complications during and after surgery. The cost of this surgery is VNĐ35-37 million ($1,540-1,628) per eye. — VNS