From the Rugby Pitch to Crystal Clear Vision: Ulster Player Rob Baloucoune’s SMILE Surgery Journey

When you’re a professional rugby player, clear vision isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. For Ulster Rugby’s Rob Baloucoune, dealing with contact lenses during intense training sessions and matches had become more than just an inconvenience. That’s when he decided to explore SMILE refractive surgery at Cathedral Eye Clinic in Belfast.

We sat down with Rob and his surgeon, consultant ophthalmologist Mr. Niraj Mandal, to hear about his experience and what life is like after ditching the contacts for good.

The Day of Surgery: Simpler Than Expected

“It was really easy actually,” Rob recalls about his surgery day. After arriving at Cathedral Eye Clinic, he was thoroughly briefed on the procedure by the friendly staff. The entire process was remarkably quick – Rob spent no more than 20 minutes on the treatment table.

For many patients, the unknown aspects of surgery can cause anxiety. Rob’s experience highlights how straightforward the SMILE procedure really is. “I was waiting to feel something, then didn’t feel anything,” he explains about the laser treatment itself.

While there is some suction applied to the eye during the procedure, Rob found this completely manageable. “Nothing out of the normal,” he says, “I didn’t have any issues with it.”

Recovery: Faster Than Anticipated

The immediate post-surgery period brought some expected temporary effects. Rob experienced light sensitivity and slightly hazy vision for the first few hours – completely normal for SMILE recovery.

But the transformation was remarkably quick. “By day 2, I was already surprised that I could see around my room and things like that,” Rob shares. This rapid visual improvement is one of the key advantages of the SMILE technique, allowing patients to return to their normal activities sooner.

Game-Changing Results for Athletic Performance

For any athlete, equipment reliability matters. Rob’s contact lenses had become an ongoing source of frustration. “In most games and most training sessions, the lenses would actually come out during training,” he explains. “It was just a bit annoying and irritating.”

Now, with perfect vision correction, Rob no longer has to worry about lost contacts during crucial moments.

Beyond Sports: Everyday Life Improvements

While the athletic benefits are obvious, Rob emphasises how SMILE surgery has simplified his entire daily routine. The small frustrations that glasses and contact lens wearers know all too well are now a thing of the past.

“It’s definitely made my life a lot easier,” Rob reflects. “Small things, even waking up and not being able to see and trying to find my glasses or trying to find lenses, travelling – it’s definitely just made everything that I do a lot easier.”

For athletes and non-athletes alike, SMILE surgery offers the freedom from glasses and contacts that many have dreamed of – with a quick, comfortable procedure and rapid recovery.