SMILE
See Your Future
Expert Vision Correction with SMILE Eye Surgery
What is SMILE?
Only performed at select, premier laser eye surgery clinics across the United States, this is the newest and most recent innovation in laser vision correction; In other words, it is the world’s best laser vision correction technique and technology.
The entire idea which conceptualized SMILE is based on how to make laser procedures that exist today, such as LASIK and PRK/LASEK, even safer and easier to recover from. This technique is not only effective and predictable but also provides safety and stability that is superior to earlier forms of laser surgery. it is free from flap related complications possible with other forms of LASIK. The cornea is biomechanically stronger after ReLEx SMILE as the incision made on the cornea is 80% smaller than the flap cut made during conventional LASIK. It also reduces/eliminates the common dry eye condition after PRK/LASEK/LASIK.
Benefits of SMILE
SMILE is a minimally invasive Laser Vision Correction procedure for myopia correction. During SMILE eye surgery, a lenticule is created inside the cornea using the ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser. Subsequently, the lenticule is extracted through a small incision, thereby achieving the desired vision correction.
SMILE is a Fast Healing procedure. While overall visual recovery closely parallels LASIK, the minimally invasive nature of SMILE may enable more rapid resumption of regular activities.
With SMILE, full visual recovery can normally occur within just a few days following your surgery.
The Surgery
Step 1:
Numbing the Eye
To reduce pain during the surgery, anesthesia drops are given to numb the eye. An eyelid holder is used to prevent the eye from blinking during surgery.
Step 2:
Creating the Lenticule and the Incision
After the eye is numb, it needs to be immobilized for the surgery. This is done with a contact glass which is placed gently on the eye and connected to the laser device. A slight pressure may be felt when this occurs. Once the eye is held stationary, the laser creates a lenticule within the stroma, an inner sub-layer of the cornea, and creates an access incision on the corneal surface that is less than 4mm wide.
Step 3:
Removing the Lenticule
The surgeon removes the lenticule through the laser-generated small incision.
Step 4:
Refractive Error Corrected
Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, correcting the refractive error. The incision is so small that it will seal itself after some time.
