Medical supplier Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has received conditional approval from the FDA to initiate a clinical trial for its ReLEx smile procedure to correct myopia. The technique, for refractive surgery, combines femtosecond laser technology and precise lenticule extraction for minimally invasive laser vision correction in a single system, the VisuMax femtosecond laser. VisuMax femtosecond laser. (Image: Business Wire) In lasik procedures, the excimer laser vaporizes tissue, while the ReLEx smile method generates a refractive lenticule in the intact cornea with the femtosecond laser. The surgeon then removes the lenticule through a small incision without having to move the patient to an excimer laser. The VisuMax Laser Keratome is cleared in the US for creating corneal flaps and for lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty for corneal transplantations. VisuMax ReLEx smile was launched internationally in September 2011. The company plans to start patient enrollment in the US clinical trial within the next few months. For more information, visit: www.meditec.zeiss.com