ReLEx SMILE eye surgery in Dr Moïse Tourabaly

Established in 1987, Dr Moïse Tourabaly's practice is a private ophthalmology clinic. It operates through three consultation locations in Cachan and Paris. Surgical procedures take place at partner facilities, including Clinique Laser Victor Hugo and Clinique Sainte-Geneviève. The same surgeon manages consultations, surgery, and follow-up for continuity of care.

Academic Profile and Research

Dr Moïse Tourabaly is a former Chef de Clinique at the Hôpital National des Quinze-Vingts. This Sorbonne Université-affiliated institution focuses on complex eye conditions. He holds a university diploma in refractive surgery and is registered with the French Medical Council. The medical team also includes Prof Michele Reibaldi, who specializes in retina and corneal transplant surgery.

The clinic focuses strongly on clinical research and evidence-based protocols. Dr Tourabaly has authored 8 international publications indexed on PubMed. Five feature him as the first author. His research includes a systematic review on lamellar endothelial keratoplasty outcomes. He is an active member of several professional organizations:

• Société Française d'Ophtalmologie (SFO)
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
• SAFIR – French Society of Implants and Refractive Surgery
• Banque Française des Yeux (BFY)

These memberships keep the practice aligned with the latest European surgical standards.

Refractive and Laser Eye Surgery

The clinic offers several laser techniques to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Specialists report a 99.5% success rate for eyes achieving 20/40 vision or better after LASIK. Patient satisfaction stands at approximately 98%. The clinic offers multiple laser methods based on corneal anatomy:

• LASIK: Uses a femtosecond laser to create a flap and an excimer laser for reshaping.
• PRK: A surface laser technique for patients with thin corneas or dry eye.
• SMILE: A small-incision method that removes a lenticule without creating a corneal flap.
• PresbyLASIK: A specific excimer laser protocol designed to treat age-related near-vision loss.

For patients ineligible for laser due to extreme myopia, the surgeon performs phakic ICL implantation. This places a lens in front of the natural lens without removing tissue.

Cataract and Corneal Care

Cataract treatments achieve a stabilized success rate of over 98% within one month. The surgeon uses minimally invasive phacoemulsification, so patients go home the same day. Options include monofocal, toric, or multifocal/EDOF implants to reduce dependence on glasses. Second-eye surgery is typically scheduled one to four weeks after the first procedure.

The clinic specializes in advanced corneal disease management, including keratoconus and pterygium. It offers DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty), a modern transplant technique. DMEK replaces only the damaged inner layer of the cornea. This leads to faster recovery and lower rejection rates than full transplants. The clinic also provides specialized follow-up for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Diagnostic Technology

Precise surgical planning relies on high-resolution imaging and measurement systems. These tools help determine eligibility for laser surgery and calculate intraocular lens power. The clinic uses the following diagnostic platforms:

• CSO Sirius+ topographer: Performs corneal topography and aberrometry for surface mapping.
• Zeiss IOLMaster 700: Provides optical biometry for precise cataract implant calculations.
• Zeiss Cirrus 6000 OCT: High-speed optical coherence tomography for retinal imaging.
• Optos Daytona: Captures ultra-widefield 200° images of the retina without dilation.
• Schwind Amaris 750S: An excimer laser used for PRK and Trans-PRK treatments.

These technologies help the team detect subclinical conditions that might affect surgical outcomes.

International Patient Services

The clinic supports international patients with medical information in French and English. The care pathway includes a 45-minute initial consultation and a one-hour pre-operative assessment. Patients go home on the day of surgery and return for a mandatory check-up 24 hours later. Follow-up visits can be arranged at the Cachan or Paris offices to fit travel schedules.