What the VISUMAX 800 Means for Patients
SMILE laser eye surgery has become one of the world’s most trusted procedures for treating short-sightedness and astigmatism. Since its introduction over a decade ago, millions of people have chosen SMILE to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
But technology never stands still.
At London Vision Clinic, we are proud to have published one of the very first clinical studies evaluating the latest generation VISUMAX 800 laser. The research demonstrates how this new platform continues to deliver the outstanding visual outcomes patients expect, while making the treatment process faster and even more refined.
Faster Technology. The Same Precision.
The VISUMAX 800 is the next evolution of ZEISS SMILE technology.
One of its biggest improvements is speed. With previous generations of SMILE, the laser created the tiny lenticule inside the cornea in around 30 seconds. The VISUMAX 800 reduces this to less than 10 seconds, making treatment quicker while maintaining the same level of precision.
For patients, this means:
- Less time under the laser
- A more comfortable treatment experience
- Potentially fewer interruptions during surgery
- The same exceptional levels of safety and accuracy
Research Led by London Vision Clinic
Unlike many clinics, London Vision Clinic does not simply use new technology. We help evaluate it. Our study analysed 118 eyes treated with the VISUMAX 800, assessing how accurately patients achieved their intended prescription, how well they could see afterwards, and how stable their vision remained during recovery.
The results were extremely encouraging.
Outstanding Vision After Surgery
Just three months after treatment:
- 91% of eyes achieved 20/20 vision or better without glasses
- 86% of patients finished within ±0.50 dioptres of their intended prescription
- 100% were within ±1.00 dioptre
- No patient lost two or more lines of best corrected vision
These results demonstrate the high level of predictability that modern SMILE surgery can achieve when performed using carefully refined treatment protocols.
Better Than Simply Seeing the Eye
One of the most exciting developments with the VISUMAX 800 is not just the faster laser.
It also introduces new guidance systems that help surgeons position the treatment even more precisely.
CentraLign™
This technology helps align treatment using the corneal vertex rather than relying solely on the centre of the pupil.
OcuLign™
This system helps compensate for tiny rotational movements of the eye, known as cyclotorsion, improving the accuracy of astigmatism correction.
These technologies work together to help surgeons deliver even more consistent treatment planning and surgical precision.
Experience Still Matters
Technology is only one part of successful laser eye surgery. At London Vision Clinic, every treatment is performed using protocols developed through decades of clinical research and more than 60,000 vision correction procedures.
Each patient’s treatment is individually planned using detailed measurements of:
- Corneal shape
- Corneal thickness
- Pupil size
- Optical quality
- Prescription
- Long-term clinical outcome data
This personalised approach ensures that every treatment is optimised for the individual patient, not simply generated by the laser itself.
Contrast Sensitivity Also Improved
Seeing clearly is not just about reading the smallest letters on an eye chart. Good vision also means being able to distinguish subtle differences in contrast, particularly in lower light conditions. The study found a small but statistically significant improvement in contrast sensitivity following treatment across several testing levels, suggesting patients maintained excellent visual quality after surgery.
A Strong Foundation for the Future
The study concluded that the VISUMAX 800 delivers visual and refractive outcomes that are equivalent to the already excellent results achieved with the previous generation of SMILE technology.
Importantly, the authors also noted that the faster treatment workflow and new positioning software provide an excellent platform for future refinements as larger clinical datasets become available.
Why This Matters for Patients
When choosing laser eye surgery, it is easy to focus on the latest technology.
However, technology is only as good as the team using it.
At London Vision Clinic, our surgeons have helped shape the development of SMILE from its earliest stages through clinical research, education and innovation. Every advancement is carefully evaluated before becoming part of our clinical practice.
The result is a personalised approach that combines advanced technology with decades of scientific research and real-world surgical experience, giving patients confidence that every treatment is based on evidence, precision and continual refinement.
Reference
The original peer-reviewed publication is available in the Journal of Refractive Surgery:
Reinstein DZ, Archer TJ, Potter JG, Gupta R, Wiltfang R. Refractive and Visual Outcomes of SMILE for Compound Myopic Astigmatism With the VISUMAX 800. Journal of Refractive Surgery. 2023;39(5):294-301.
