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Zulekha Hospital

Laser Eye Surgery

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK is a refractive surgery in which a flap of the corneal surface is raised and a thin layer of underlying tissue is removed using a laser. It can correct common vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) to reduce your dependence on prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.

Advantages of LASIK Surgery
  • Around 96% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK.
  • LASIK is associated with very little pain due to the numbing drops that are used.
  • Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after LASIK.
  • No bandages or stitches are required after LASIK.
  • Adjustments can be made years after LASIK to further correct vision if vision changes while you age.
  • After having LASIK, most patients have a dramatic reduction in eyeglass or contact lens dependence and many patients no longer need them at all.
LASIK Myths & Facts

Here are a few common myths about LASIK, and the actual facts:

Myth: LASIK is painful.
Fact: Numbing eye drops are used to keep your eyes comfortable during LASIK, which takes only about 15 minutes for both eyes. You will feel some pressure briefly during creation of the corneal flap, but laser reshaping of the eye is pain-free. If you are anxious before your procedure, your surgeon can give you a mild sedative to help you relax.

Myth: You can go blind from LASIK surgery.
Fact: LASIK affects only the front surface of the eye, serious complications are rare, and no one has ever gone blind from LASIK surgery.

Myth: If you have a poor outcome from LASIK surgery, nothing can be done to fix it.
Fact: More than 95 percent of LASIK patients are satisfied with their outcome. If your results are unsatisfactory, there are a number of treatment options to improve your vision further. Also, possible LASIK side effects such as dry eyes usually are temporary and can be managed successfully.

Myth: LASIK is new, so long-term side effects and complications are unknown.
Fact: Laser vision correction was introduced in the 1980s, and the first treatment performed in the United States occurred in 1987 (more than 25 years ago). Side effects from modern LASIK surgery typically are mild, occur shortly after surgery, and resolve quickly. Significant complications are rare.

Myth: LASIK corrects only nearsightedness; it cannot correct farsightedness or astigmatism.
Fact: LASIK can correct all common refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism). If you have severe refractive errors, other refractive surgery options are available.

Myth: A successful LASIK surgery means you will never need eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Fact: LASIK does not prevent the progression of normal aging changes in the eyes, so at some point after age 40, you likely will need reading glasses, like anyone else. Also, it's possible you might still need to wear glasses on a part-time basis for specific tasks, such as driving at night.

What is ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery?

SMILE is the only technique available in the world, wherein the laser surgery is performed without using any blade and without lifting any flap. In other words, your fear of cutting the cornea with a blade is absolutely removed by this procedure and at the same time unlike most of the FEMTOSECOND lasers in the market; we do-not make and lift a corneal flap.

Advantages of ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery?
  • Minimally invasive surgery: 80% less side cut (compared to LASIK) 30% less cap cut
  • Preserves integrity of upper corneal layers
  • Ensures preservation of corneal biomechanical stability
  • Less nerves damaged and therefore, less varying severity of dry eye syndrome
  • Absence of flap eliminates the risk for flap complications such as epithelium in-growth, flap dislocation, infections and striae.
  • Faster healing of epithelium
What is SMILE, ReLEx and Visumax?

With ReLEx®, the VisuMax® enables the fusion of cutting-edge femtosecond technology and precise lenticule extraction to provide minimally invasive vision correction. A refractive lenticule is created in the intact cornea and removed via a small incision without ablation or a flap. The treatment is thus a flapless, all-femto and single-step procedure. SMILE is LASIK procedure without making the flap and PRK without any pain.

What is the SMILE Procedure?

The combination of precise refractive femtosecond laser technology and lenticule extraction marks the start of a new era in refractive surgery.

Intrastromal Femtosecond laser cutting of the lenticule:

Removal of lenticule:

The ReLEx smile procedure bears a great number of advantages compared to conventional refractive correction methods due to its…

Special Features:

  • Flapless – creating a small incision rather than a full flap
  • All-Femto– FS lenticule cutting substitutes excimer tissue ablation
  • Single step – on laser device, one integrated procedure

Your Options for Laser Eye Surgery

LASIK and ReLEx SMILE at Zulekha Hospital

LASIK has been the world’s favourite laser eye surgery procedure for decades now, due to its clear advantages over the older PRK procedure in terms of comfort and speed of visual recovery. The introduction of a procedure called SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), a less invasive procedure than LASIK has seen some patients try this new method. Here at Zulekha Hospital, we offer both procedures and will recommend a surgery based on an initial assessment and consultation. Our team of trained ophthalmologists have years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the eyes, so we're able to offer the best solution for you as an individual.

LASIK Advantages

  • Around 96% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK
  • LASIK is associated with very little pain due to the numbing drops that are used
  • Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after LASIK
  • No bandages or stitches are required after LASIK
  • Adjustments can be made years after LASIK to further correct vision if vision changes while you age
  • After having LASIK, most patients have a dramatic reduction in eyeglass or contact lens dependence and many patients no longer need them at all

ReLEx SMILE Advantages

  • Minimally invasive surgery: 80% less side cut (compared to LASIK) 30% less cap cut
  • Preserves integrity of upper corneal layers
  • Ensures preservation of corneal biomechanical stability
  • Less nerves damaged and therefore, less varying severity of dry eye syndrome
  • Faster healing of epithelium
  • Absence of flap eliminates the risk for flap complications such as epithelium in-growth, flap dislocation, infections and striae

Our Ophthalmology Specialists

  • Sharjah
  • Dr. Rajeev Kumar
  • Dr. Radwan Sawas
  • Dr. Mohamed Salem

Dr. Rajeev Kumar

MBBS, MS, FRCS, MBA

Ophthalmologist

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Work Experience

  • Dr. Rajeev Kumar has more than 17 years of experience in the field of Ophthalmology with main interest in cataract and Refractive surgery.
  • He has done his post graduation and residency from Kanpur University, Kanpur, India.
  • He has completed fellowship in anterior segment microsurgery and Phacoemulsification from the prestigious Arvind eye hospital and postgraduate institute of ophthalmology, Madurai (Tamil Nadu) – India, so far the largest eye hospital in Asia, conducting maximum eye surgeries in the world in a year.
  • He has done contact lens training from LV Prasad eye institute Hyderabad, and Retinal laser training from Kota India. He has done MBA in health care management form Pune India and passed part two exam for FRCS from royal college of surgeons form Glasgow UK.
  • He has received Refractive surgery training of LASIK, PRK AND SMILE by Dr. Rupal Shah from New vision Laser center, Vadodra, Gujarat, India.
  • He also underwent training in corneal crosslinking, treatment for keratoconus from European society of cataract and refractive surgeons Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • He had the opportunity to work at the Ministry of Health Hospital and at Central Security Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
  • Dr. Rajeev is associated with Zulekha Hospital Sharjah since 2012.

Dr. Radwan Sawas

FRCS (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow -UK) Ophthalmology

Specialist Ophthalmologist

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Work Experience

  • Dr. Radwan has more than 17 years of experience in the field of Ophthalmology
  • After his post graduation from Aleppo University, he started working with Magrabi Eye Hospitals in Jeddah & Dammam as a Specialist Ophthalmologist for 8 years. Meanwhile he earned his F.R.C.S from Glasgow University and was upgraded as an Associate Consultant in Vitroretinal Unit
  • In 2008, he joined Aleppo Eye Specialty Hospital as a Head of the Retinal Department and later Future Hospital –Aleppo as a Consultant Ophthalmologist
  • Before joining Zulekha Healthcare Group, Dr. Radwan was associated with Ain Al Khaleej Hospital – Al Ain as a Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Dr. Mohamed Salem

MBBS, MD, FICO, MRCSG, MRCSED OPHTHALMOLOGY SPECIALIST, VITREORETINAL SURGEON

Specialist Ophthalmologist

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Work Experience

  • Dr. Mohamed Salem is a highly skilled ophthalmic surgeon with a rich and diverse professional background. He embarked on his medical journey in Egypt, where he completed his internship and ophthalmology training program. During this time, he honed his skills and knowledge in the field of ophthalmology.
  • Dr. Salem moved to Saudi Arabia, where he joined the Saudi Ministry of Health in the Central Province. Over the course of seven years, he contributed significantly to the healthcare system, gaining valuable experience and expertise in his specialized area.
  • Returning to Egypt in 2015, Dr. Salem assumed the role of Medical Director at MAS Eye Center, a prominent medical facility in Cairo and Alexandria. In the United Arab Emirates, he served as an Ophthalmic Surgeon at Thumbay Hospital Fujairah and Saudi German Hospital in Ajman & Sharjah.

Our Hospitals

Zulekha Hospital Dubai

Zulekha Hospital Dubai is a 179 bed hospital established in 2004 which offers both inpatient and outpatient care covering a wide range of medical and surgical specialties. The facility boasts state-of-the-art operation theatre arrangements, emergency services, labor rooms and includes multiple centers of excellence such as Cardiology, Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Urology, Gastroenterology, Dermatology and Physiotherapy.

204 Rd, Al Qusais Industrial Area, Dubai, U.A.E.

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Zulekha Hospital Sharjah

Zulekha Hospital Sharjah is a full-fledged, multi-disciplinary hospital with Out-patient and In-patient facilities. What started off as a 30 bed set up in 1992, today boasts of 150 in-patient beds, sprawled over an area of 240,000 square ft.


Al Zahra Street, Sharjah, U.A.E.


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Your Questions

What happens during your consultation?

During the consultation our team of specialists will carry out a complete examination of your eyes to determine the extent of any issues that need correcting. This consultation will include a full refraction and retinal checkup so you can be confident that all aspects of your eyesight have been thoroughly checked before committing to surgery.

What will I need to do before my consultation?

Please make sure to bring all of your health records for our team to examine; these records will include your eye examination records. During your consultation we perform a full refraction and retinal checkup, so you are likely to have blurred vision for a few hours after the tests are complete, so please bring a friend or relative that can drive you home safely after your consultation.

Is eye surgery suitable for me?

Most people are suitable for eye surgery, however there are a few that are not. We provide a Consultation where your personal specialist will perform several simple tests before confirming whether or not laser eye surgery will be the right choice for you.

Will the results of the surgery last?

If your eye prescription is stable, i.e. you have had the same prescription for more than 2 years, the result of LASIK will last longer. When your eyesight and vision has stabilized, you are an excellent candidate for laser eye surgery, however we can still perform the surgery on eyes that haven't stabilized. The only noticeable difference is the rate of deterioration after your surgery. Unfortunately, no matter how thorough your initial consultation or how brilliant your surgeon, you can not avoid the effects of ageing on the eyes, so deterioration is a given. As a guide, 18 years after surgery, stable eyesight regresses on average -0.05D and unstable eyesight regresses to -0.54D, which gives you decades of perfect eyesight to enjoy.

What happens when I get older or my vision changes?

As you become older your distance vision will remain stable, giving you many years of enjoyment and practicality without the need to wear glasses. After the age of 40 years you may need additional reading glasses in certain conditions due to natural aging of the eye. We can advise on this when you visit us at your consultation.

How long does the surgery take?

LASIK and ReLEx SMILE eye surgery usually take around 10 minutes per eye. However, your whole visit including your recovery period will take around 1 1/2 hours.

Can both eyes be done at the same time?

Most people need laser eye surgery in both eyes. To make the process as convenient as possible, we treat both eyes at the same time. By treating both eyes together, you only have a single recovery period, as opposed to two separate recoveries if the eyes were treated separately. This means that you can get back to work faster and enjoy glasses free, perfect vision even sooner.

Is laser eye surgery painful?

In the majority of cases LASIK and ReLEx SMILE eye surgery does not hurt. We also use numbing eye drops to avoid any discomfort that you may have felt normally. You might feel pressure on your eyes but this isn’t reported as an issue by our many patients. Customer comfort and satisfaction is our number 1 goal.

Can I drive home after the surgery?

Immediately after surgery your vision will be blurred for a few hours. You will need a driver to take you home after surgery, and may possibly need a driver at the start of the following day, however, most patients are fine to drive at the end of the following day and be enjoying improved vision with no ill effects.

When will I be able to return to work after laser corrective eye surgery?

We recommend that you take the rest of the day off to help you relax. As for full return, usually 48hrs would be adequate but you can return sooner or later depending on the environment in which you work. Please speak to your consultant for more accurate time frames.

What can I expect after successful laser eye surgery?

After the initial fuzziness that tends to last a couple of days your eyes will gradually give you improved vision until a few weeks after surgery when you will notice that you are enjoying perfect vision. No need for glasses or contact lenses, no more squinting at the alarm clock when you wake at night, improved vision for sport and much more.

How should I care for my eyes after treatment?

Your surgeon will take you through all aftercare in detail and hand you any medications or antibiotics to help healing. We recommend that you also use a hat or sunglasses for a few days as they may feel sensitive to light straight after surgery. You will also have to avoid washing your hair for a week after surgery. Apart from some basic care, just avoid rubbing your eyes for a weeks and all should be OK. If your treatment requires anything more specialist then your surgeon will discuss this with you at your consultation.

What condition(s) is laser eye surgery useful for treating?

LASIK and ReLEx SMILE eye treatment can treat and correct a wide range of conditions, including myopia, astigmatism, and hyperopia. Even presbyopia, or aging in the eye, is fully treatable with our laser eye surgery meaning that you can throw away those reading glasses the same day.