Refractive Surgery
Eyes that no longer need to be managed.
The most established laser vision correction technique, refined over two decades — a fast, comfortable recovery for the full range of distance-vision corrections. Refractive surgery at Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, with an ophthalmology department led by Dr. Andrea Russo.
Laser refractive surgery at Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia corrects myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and early-to-moderate presbyopia with four Zeiss-based techniques: SMILE, Femto-LASIK, PRK and Presbyond. The ophthalmology department, led by Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, designs each laser plan around the patient’s eyes and life, not around a single default technique.
Hours
Typical time to clear vision
Zeiss
Exclusive technology partner
1 specialist
From examination through recovery
Next day
Return to work and driving
The Discipline
You’ve been adapting for a long time.
Maybe the first thing you reach for in the morning is your glasses. Maybe your contact-lens kit travels with you everywhere. Maybe you’ve started holding your phone a little further from your face. None of it feels unusual anymore, which is its own kind of signal.
Most refractive errors don’t improve on their own. Presbyopia doesn’t pause. Each year is another year your eyes work around the problem instead of being corrected. Waiting isn’t neutral.
At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, the first step is simply a full diagnostic assessment, where we understand your eyes and your life before we recommend anything. It takes about an hour, and it commits you to nothing.
What Makes Femto-LASIK Different
The difference is speed with precision
Femto-LASIK uses two lasers in sequence. A Zeiss femtosecond laser creates a thin, precisely defined corneal flap — bladeless, computer-controlled, far more uniform than the mechanical flaps of older LASIK. The flap is gently lifted to expose the tissue beneath.
A Zeiss excimer laser then reshapes the underlying cornea to your exact prescription. The flap is repositioned and seals naturally, with no stitches. Because the surface is restored immediately, vision clears within hours rather than days.
Three things follow from that. Recovery is among the fastest of any refractive technique. The treatment covers the full range of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. And two decades of refinement make it one of the most predictable procedures in ophthalmology.
01
Fast visual recovery
Most patients see clearly within hours.
02
Broad treatment range
Corrects myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
03
One department, one pathway
Diagnostics, treatment and aftercare, led by Dr. Andrea Russo.
Step by Step
What happens during your Femto-LASIK procedure, minute by minute.
Step 01
The flap is created
Anaesthetic drops, then a Zeiss femtosecond laser creates a thin, precise corneal flap. You feel pressure, not pain, for a few seconds per eye.
Step 02
The laser reshapes the cornea
The flap is lifted and a Zeiss excimer laser sculpts your prescription into the cornea beneath — about two minutes per eye, talked through at every step.
Step 03
The flap is repositioned
The surgeon floats the flap back into place, where it seals naturally without stitches. No bandage lens is needed.
Step 04
You go home
A short rest at the clinic, then home the same day. Most patients notice clear vision within hours and return to work the next day.
Is Femto-LASIK Right for Your Eyes?
Is Femto-LASIK
right for your eyes?
Femto-LASIK is the most versatile of the laser techniques, but the match still matters. At Palazzo Manzoni, most Femto-LASIK candidates share several of the following.
Clinical profile
- Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism across the full distance-vision range
- Astigmatism evaluated and treated alongside the spherical correction
- A stable prescription for at least 12 months
- Sufficient corneal thickness to support a flap (evaluated individually)
- Age 18 or older, with a stable prescription for at least twelve months
- No active eye disease, uncontrolled inflammation or untreated severe dry eye
Life profile
- An active lifestyle such as running, cycling, climbing, swimming or skiing
- Contact sports where the theoretical risk of flap dislocation is a real consideration, including combat sports, rugby and water polo
- Professional roles with physical or environmental demand, including military, law enforcement and emergency response
- An awareness that a mild, short-lived dry-eye sensation is common in the first few weeks and usually settles within a month
- A careful disposition: the kind of patient who wants the least surface disturbance consistent with a real result
Where Femto-LASIK isn’t the right answer?
Femto-LASIK needs sufficient corneal thickness to create a flap safely, and it is not the best choice for eyes at real risk of direct trauma or for prescriptions outside its clinical range. If any of these describes your eyes, a flapless or lens based technique is usually better suited. Your assessment at Palazzo Manzoni will identify which one.
If Femto-LASIK fits, your assessment will confirm it. If not, the right answer for your eyes still exists, and the assessment will find it.
More Than a Decade of Evidence
More than a decade of evidence, on the original platform
Femto-LASIK is one of the most thoroughly studied refractive procedures in the world, refined over more than two decades on Zeiss femtosecond and excimer laser platforms. At Palazzo Manzoni it runs on current-generation Zeiss systems, drawing on a clinical evidence base of many millions of procedures and decades of peer-reviewed research.
At Palazzo Manzoni, the entire refractive pathway sits on Zeiss systems, from preoperative imaging to follow-up measurements. What varies between clinics is not the technology. It is the experience of the team running it.
Day by Day
The first 24 hours, the first week, and the months that follow
The evening after surgery
Blurred or fluctuating vision is normal, as is a light gritty sensation, as if something is mildly irritating your eye. Both fade within a few hours. You use the drops provided, avoid screens and sleep early.
The next morning
Most Femto-LASIK patients wake up the next morning and simply see. There may be a light haze that refines over the following days, but vision is usually clear enough to drive, work and move through a normal day. Light to moderate exercise is generally back on the table.
The first week
Vision sharpens progressively. Dry-eye sensation, when present at all, is typically milder and shorter-lived than after flap-based techniques. You attend your first follow-up at Palazzo Manzoni. Swimming, sauna and heavy contact sport are paused for a short defined period.
First month
Visual stability is reached for most patients. Night vision continues to refine. You attend a second follow-up.
3 to 6 months
The long-term refractive result is locked in. A final follow-up closes the surgical phase of your care. Palazzo Manzoni remains open to you for any future check-up.
Honest Trade-offs
What Femto-LASIK
doesn’t do
Every laser has its trade-offs, and honesty about them matters more than marketing.
Femto-LASIK creates a thin corneal flap that heals and, for the overwhelming majority of patients, becomes irrelevant. But the flap remains a lifelong interface, so for eyes at real risk of direct trauma, for example contact-sport or combat-role athletes, a flapless technique such as SMILE or PRK can be the safer long-term choice. Your specialist will tell you honestly which applies to you.
Femto-LASIK, like any surgical procedure, is not risk-free. Serious complications are rare, well below 1 percent in the current literature, but they exist. The more common post-operative experiences are temporary dry-eye sensation, mild night-vision halos during the first weeks, and, in a small minority, a residual refractive error that can usually be corrected with an enhancement. Rarer but real risks include infection, flap-related complications and delayed visual recovery. The Palazzo Manzoni team walks you through the specific risk profile for your eyes before anything is scheduled.
Who Leads the Department
Dr. Andrea Russo
Ophthalmologist. Founder of Palazzo Manzoni. Specialist in laser refractive surgery, ICL and cataract surgery.
International surgical training
including Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
Academic research and teaching
research fellow at the University of Brescia, 1,200+ peer-reviewed citations
Professional societies
fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery (FWCRS), member of the American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (AECOS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
Inventor
creator of D-Eye, a smartphone-based retinal imaging device used in clinical practice worldwide
15,000+
procedures performed
“Every pair of eyes tells a different story. Our role is to understand yours fully, explore every option that could improve your vision, and guide you with confidence toward the one that fits your life best.”
Patient Stories
They were where
you are now
Glasses and contacts have been part of your life for years. Or reading has started to slip and you want a solution that doesn’t involve lens surgery. Laser vision correction can change both.
Real experiences from patients who took the step
I wore glasses for 18 years. I didn’t realize how much I’d been adapting until the morning after my procedure, when I opened my eyes and could see the ceiling clearly for the first time.
I came in expecting to just fix my cataract. My specialist explained the option of a multifocal lens, and now I see better than I did at 50. I haven’t touched my reading glasses since.
Two clinics told me laser wasn’t possible because of my prescription. At Palazzo Manzoni they offered ICL, and now I see perfectly. I wish I’d known about this option sooner.
Options
If Femto-LASIK isn’t right, there’s still a path
Femto-LASIK fits many eyes, but not every eye. If a flap, your corneal thickness or your prescription points elsewhere, it usually means another technique fits you better.
→SMILE
When a flapless correction is safer, for contact-sport athletes or a dry-eye tendency, across myopia and astigmatism.
→PRK
When the cornea is too thin for a flap, or a surface technique is the safer choice.
→Presbyond
When the real issue is early presbyopia, blending near and distance across both eyes.
→ICL lens implantation
When the prescription is too high for laser, or the cornea too thin for any corneal technique.
Your assessment will clarify which path is right.
Common Questions
Common questions
about ophthalmology
What vision problems can be treated at Palazzo Manzoni?
The ophthalmology department treats the full range of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia) and cataracts. Treatments include laser refractive surgery (SMILE, Femto-LASIK, PRK, Presbyond), ICL phakic lens implantation for high or unusual prescriptions, and cataract surgery with standard or premium multifocal lenses.
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
That is exactly what your first eye examination is for. It assesses your prescription, corneal shape and thickness, lens clarity, and overall eye health, then places those findings in the context of your age, lifestyle, and visual goals. You leave with a clear explanation of your options and an honest recommendation, not a sales pitch.
Am I a candidate for laser vision correction?
Most patients between 20 and 45 with stable myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism are good candidates. The pre-operative examination looks at corneal thickness, prescription stability, and eye health to confirm suitability. If laser is not ideal for you, ICL lens implantation is often an excellent alternative.
What if another clinic told me surgery isn’t an option for me?
It is worth a second opinion. High prescriptions, thin corneas, or unusual anatomies often rule out standard laser surgery, but do not rule out vision correction. Patients in this situation are frequently successful candidates for ICL, a phakic intraocular lens implanted without removing corneal tissue.
What is the difference between standard and premium lenses for cataract surgery?
A standard intraocular lens restores clear distance vision after cataract removal, but you will still need reading glasses for close-up tasks. A premium multifocal lens corrects distance, intermediate, and near vision in the same surgery, reducing or eliminating dependence on glasses. The right choice depends on your lifestyle.
What happens during my first eye examination?
Your first visit lasts about an hour. It includes a detailed diagnostic examination with advanced imaging, a discussion of your vision goals and daily life, and a personalized explanation of the treatment options available to you. There is no pressure to decide anything during the visit. You leave with the information you need to make a calm, informed choice on your own timeline.
Is the procedure painful, and how long does recovery take?
Procedures are performed under local anaesthetic eye drops, so you feel no pain, only light pressure. Most laser patients see improvement within hours and return to normal activities within one to two days. Cataract patients typically see clearly by the next day. Full visual stabilization can take a few weeks depending on the procedure.
How much does treatment cost?
Costs depend on the procedure and, for cataract surgery, on the type of lens chosen. After your initial examination, once the appropriate treatment has been identified, you receive a detailed, transparent cost estimate with no hidden fees.
Where is Palazzo Manzoni located, and do I need a referral?
Istituto Chirurgico Palazzo Manzoni is at Via dei Mille 14 in central Brescia, easily reached by car or public transport from anywhere in Lombardy, including Milan (about one hour away). No referral is required. You can book directly by phone, email, or online form.
Who leads the ophthalmology department?
The ophthalmology department is led by Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, ophthalmologist, researcher, and founder of Palazzo Manzoni. Dr. Russo specializes in laser refractive surgery, ICL lens implantation, and cataract surgery with premium IOLs, and collaborates with the University of Brescia. His research on refractive surgery and ocular imaging is internationally cited.
Take the Next Step
Your next step starts
with a conversation
At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, every consultation is personal, unhurried, and designed to give you clarity about your next step.
Address
Via dei Mille 14, 25122 Brescia, Italia
Phone
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30 · Sat 9:00-13:00
01
Get in touch
Call, email, WhatsApp, or book online.
02
Meet your specialist
A personal consultation to understand your situation.
03
Your plan, your pace
Together you decide the best path forward.
Scientific research
Dr. Andrea Russo is first author of a study of 484 eyes on corneal aberrations two years after LASIK and PRK, published in Ophthalmology and Therapy (2021). The team’s full list of publications is available on PubMed.
Content reviewed by Dr. Andrea Russo and Dr. Pierdavide Perrini, refractive surgeons at the Institute.