New laser technology corrects vision in just nine seconds

Imagine closing your eyes, counting to nine… and seeing clearly without any spectacles or contact lenses once you open them. The latest corrective eye laser surgery, SMILE, delivers that level of speed, precision and patient comfort. If you’re considering laser vision correction, an Open Day at Saint James Eye Clinic, Birkirkara, is an opportunity to meet the clinic’s seasoned ophthalmic surgeons, understand the procedure and ask any question.

Jean Claude Muscat, Saint James Hospitals CEO

Saint James has been a pioneer in eye laser surgery. What does this latest upgrade mean for the hospital and for the patient?

Eye laser surgery has become increasingly common as people seek freedom from their spectacles and contact lenses.

Patient after patient, the laser system’s incredible precision ensures the highest level of success. The latest generation system we have installed just a few weeks ago, goes further, reducing the treatment time to just nine seconds.

This improves patient safety and guarantees highly predictable, precise outcomes. It is the most advanced refractive system available in the world today.

Many people considering laser eye surgery are not choosing between hospitals; they are choosing between doing it and never doing it at all. How do you address that hesitation?

That hesitation is understandable. For many, the idea of eye laser to correct their refractive error, can feel intimidating. What we offer is long-standing experience and consistently excellent results using the most advanced medical technology available..

Patients deserve honest conversations, thorough assessments, and the chance to ask every question they may have. That is why detailed assessments are carried out before any procedure.

Thousands, including healthcare professionals and members of our own team, myself included, have undergone laser eye surgery with life-changing results. Often, the biggest regret patients share afterwards is not having done it sooner.

You underwent eye surgery yourself. What message do you hope people take away from the Open Day?

For me personally, eye surgery was genuinely life changing. The freedom of waking up and seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses, even just to see the time, is something many only fully appreciate once they experience it.

Showering without glasses, reading a map without juggling different spectacles, and seeing clearly 24/7 in any situation is a freedom I treasure immensely.

I hope people attending the Open Day gain knowledge, confidence and reassurance. This is a chance to meet the specialists, understand the procedure, and ask questions.

Most importantly, I want people to appreciate that better vision can have a real impact on everyday life. Sometimes, small changes make the biggest difference.

Franco Mercieca, Ophthalmic surgeon

You were among the first eye surgeons to carry out eye laser surgery locally. How would you describe the advances that led to a nine-second procedure? And what does this new machine allow you to do better?

The evolution to a nine-second SMILE procedure is the result of years of progress in laser engineering, imaging technology, and surgical software. Early laser vision correction treatments were slower and less accurate. Today, we operate with a remarkable level of speed and precision.

Faster femtosecond laser technology is not just about convenience. A nine-second procedure means the eye is under suction for a much shorter time, improving comfort and reducing the chance of movement during treatment.

Clinically, shorter laser exposure also contributes to more consistent and predictable outcomes. The real achievement is not simply speed, but combining speed with greater safety, predictability, and visual quality.

What are the benefits patients may never notice, but which matter greatly to the clinical team?

The key benefit is that SMILE is minimally invasive. Unlike earlier laser techniques that required a large corneal flap, SMILE uses a very small incision. For patients, this mainly means increased comfort and quicker recovery.

Clinically, it allows us to preserve more of the cornea’s natural strength and biomechanics, which is important for long-term stability. Another major advantage is less disruption to corneal nerves, supporting a healthier tear film and lowering the risk of dry eye symptoms.

Postoperative recovery is very quick and smooth, which helps us surgeons sleep better too. 

Careful patient selection remains critical.

What is the most common misunderstanding patients have about SMILE laser eye surgery?

The most common misunderstanding is that SMILE is simply a “faster LASIK”. In reality, it is a different procedure with its own philosophy and advantages.

Patients often focus on the fact that the laser treatment only takes a few seconds, assuming speed is the main benefit. But the real value lies in the minimally invasive nature of the procedure and the way it preserves more of the cornea’s natural structure.

Some also assume that because the technology is advanced, everyone is automatically suitable. In fact, careful patient selection remains critical. The technology is sophisticated, but successful outcomes still depend on choosing the right procedure for the right eye.

Finally, many assume the surgeon’s role has become secondary because the machine is so advanced. The opposite is true. Technology is a powerful tool, but experience, judgement, patient assessment, and surgical planning remain central to achieving the best outcomes.

Benedict Vella Briffa, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Nine-second eye laser surgery sounds almost miraculous. Does the speed of the procedure also lead to a faster recovery period?

The technology is truly amazing. Recovery after SMILE has always been fast and painless, because it is performed through a tiny laser slit that heals rapidly. What has changed now is that the procedure itself has become even quicker and effortless. Before you know it, it's done!

What process does a patient need to undergo before being approved for the operation?

Pre-laser testing involves a detailed examination by a specialist optometrist, together with highly accurate measurements and scans, because no two eyes are alike.

These tests will determine whether the procedure is possible, and the precise correction needed for the best vision. The final step is a consultation with the surgeon, who discusses everything, answers questions and decides whether to proceed.

What would you say to someone who has been considering this procedure for years but keeps postponing it?

It is normal to feel apprehensive. However, there has never been a better time to undergo laser vision correction. The procedure is quicker than ever, very safe, and delivers excellent results. Afterwards, many patients only wish they'd done it sooner!

Matthew Lapira, Ophthalmic Surgeon

As an ophthalmic surgeon, what excites you most about this nine-second laser technology?

At Saint James Eye Clinic, we are privileged to work with Zeiss lasers, a world-renowned brand and recognised leader in laser vision correction. They pioneered minimally invasive, flapless laser eye surgery known as SMILE.

In Malta, we have offered this advanced laser treatment for several years with excellent results. By upgrading to the latest laser technology available, treatment time has been reduced to just nine seconds from 35 seconds. This makes SMILE significantly less stressful for the patient and the surgeon, while delivering a faster and more comfortable experience.

What should someone ask at the Open Day if they are curious about laser eye surgery, but still unsure?

The Open Day is the perfect opportunity to learn about the different treatment options and whether you are a suitable candidate.

Patients should ask about the different procedures, such as LASIK, PRK, and SMILE, and how they differ in technique, recovery time and comfort. Not every procedure suits every patient, so it is important to discuss which option would be the safest and most effective.

Age is another common question. Generally, patients should be at least 18 years, although preferably they are slightly older (in their early 20s). It is also important that their prescription has remained stable for at least one to two years before surgery is considered.

An informative Open Day dedicated to laser vision correction is being held at Saint James Eye Clinic, at Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara, on July 4, between 8am and 5pm. Meet the specialists, learn more about the latest nine-second SMILE laser technology, and discover whether treatment may be suitable for you. To book your place, visit https://stjheyeclinic.com/eye-laser/open-day-2026-at-saint-james-eye-clinic/ or call 2247 2630.