Refractive surgery at the Clinique Laser Victor Hugo — Paris 16th
Dr Moïse Tourabaly performs his laser refractive surgery at the Clinique Laser Victor Hugo, 27 bis avenue Victor Hugo, Paris 16th. This is where LASIK, PRK, SMILE and PresbyLASIK take place, together with corneal cross-linking and the insertion of intracorneal ring segments. The consultation, the pre-operative workup and the follow-up, by contrast, take place at the practice — the clinic is an operating suite, not a consultation venue.
THE PROCEDURES
Surgery performed at Victor Hugo
Correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism
Three techniques are carried out there, chosen according to the thickness and the regularity of the cornea, the refractive error to be corrected and the patient’s way of life:
- LASIK — a flap is cut with a femtosecond laser, then the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser.
- PRK — a surface treatment, with no flap, indicated in particular for thin corneas or where there is exposure to a risk of eye trauma.
- SMILE — a lenticule is removed through a micro-incision, with no flap.
Topography-guided PRK is also performed on site, on a Teneo platform (Bausch + Lomb) with the OCTAVIUS module: the treatment is calculated from the topography specific to each cornea, which is of particular interest for irregular corneas.
Presbyopia
PresbyLASIK aims to reduce dependence on reading glasses. Whether it is indicated depends on your age, on the condition of the crystalline lens and on your visual expectations; it is discussed in consultation, and it does not suit every profile.
Keratoconus: cross-linking and ring segments
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is performed at Victor Hugo using the Dresden protocol, epi-off, by applying riboflavin and then exposing the cornea to UVA light. Its purpose is to strengthen the cornea in order to slow the progression of keratoconus; it does not correct vision and does not undo deformation that is already present.
The insertion of intracorneal ring segments — segments placed in a tunnel created with a femtosecond laser — aims to make the corneal surface more regular. It is intended for keratoconus that is already deforming the cornea, and it is discussed case by case.
When keratoconus is too advanced for these techniques, the corneal graft (DALK or penetrating keratoplasty) is carried out at the Clinique Sainte-Geneviève, and not here.
Surgery that is not performed at Victor Hugo
This is a common source of confusion, and it changes the address you need on the day of surgery. The following procedures take place at the Clinique Sainte-Geneviève, 29 rue Sarrette, Paris 14th:
- The ICL phakic implant, an alternative to laser for high refractive errors.
- Cataract surgery and lens implant exchange.
- Corneal grafts: DMEK, DALK, penetrating keratoplasty.
- Retinal surgery: vitrectomy, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, macular hole.
The pathway, from workup to check-up
- Consultation and pre-operative workup for refractive surgery — at the Cachan practice, which has corneal topography and aberrometry (Sirius+) as well as optical biometry. The full workup can also be carried out at the Paris 5th consultation center, which likewise has topography and biometry. It is this workup that determines eligibility and the choice of technique.
- The procedure — at the clinic, as a day case, under anesthetic eye drops. You go home the same day, with someone accompanying you.
- Post-operative follow-up — a check-up the day after LASIK or SMILE, on day 3 or day 4 after PRK, then a further check-up at one month.
Driving again
Driving is allowed once binocular visual acuity reaches the regulatory threshold, namely 5/10 for a category B license. That level of acuity is usually regained as early as the day after LASIK or SMILE, and between day 3 and day 7 after PRK. The check-up at the practice is what confirms it.
Time off work
LASIK, PRK, SMILE and PresbyLASIK are elective procedures that are not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie: they do not give rise to certified sick leave. Recovery time is taken as annual leave or RTT (working-time reduction) days, generally one to seven days depending on the technique — PRK requiring the longest break from screens.
Getting to the clinic
The clinic is at 27 bis avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris. Métro Victor Hugo (line 2) or Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (lines 1, 2 and 6, RER A). The address is easy to reach from western Paris, the Hauts-de-Seine and the Yvelines. Arrange for someone to come with you on the day of surgery: driving home afterwards is not possible.
Coming from western Paris and the Hauts-de-Seine
The 16th arrondissement borders Neuilly-sur-Seine and Boulogne-Billancourt, and faces Saint-Cloud, Suresnes and Puteaux on the other side of the Seine. Patients from Levallois-Perret, from Courbevoie and from the La Défense area are also operated on here: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile is one stop from La Défense on the RER A.
Refractive surgery is a planned procedure, carried out as a day case: it does not call for the closeness that regular follow-up requires. Patients come from the Yvelines, the Essonne and the Seine-et-Marne for the procedure itself, with the workup and the check-ups taking place at whichever practice is most convenient — Cachan or Paris 5th.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see Dr Tourabaly at the Clinique Victor Hugo?
No. The clinic is an operating suite. Consultations and the pre-operative workup take place at the Cachan practice or at the Paris 5th center. Ophthalmology consultations are also held at the Paris 13th practice.
Where will my ICL implant be placed?
At the Clinique Sainte-Geneviève, Paris 14th, and not at Victor Hugo. Victor Hugo is reserved for laser refractive surgery, cross-linking and intracorneal ring segments.
Can the workup be done somewhere other than Cachan?
Yes. The full pre-operative workup is carried out at the Cachan practice or at the Paris 5th consultation center, both of which have corneal topography and biometry. The Paris 13th practice does not have topography: the workup done there is a preliminary one, and it is completed on suitable equipment.
Are these procedures reimbursed?
Many top-up health insurance policies (complémentaire santé) include an allowance dedicated to refractive surgery: check with yours. The French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie), for its part, does not cover LASIK, PRK, SMILE or PresbyLASIK, which are elective procedures. A written estimate is given to you at the end of the workup.
How long does the procedure take?
The laser itself is counted in tens of seconds per eye; being on site, including preparation and monitoring, takes a few hours. You go home the same day.
What are the risks?
Like any procedure, refractive surgery carries risks: temporary dry eye, halos at night, over- or under-correction and, more rarely, serious complications. They are set out in consultation before any decision is taken, and the pre-operative workup exists precisely to assess your own risk profile.
Workup and follow-up at the Cachan practice — +33 1 45 47 08 11 · Surgery at 27 bis avenue Victor Hugo, Paris 16th
Disclaimer
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation.
Eligibility for refractive surgery, its expected benefits and its risks are assessed individually during the pre-operative workup. A contraindication may be identified at the end of that workup. Only the written estimate handed to you is authoritative as regards prices.