SMILE is a laser vision correction procedure that corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism. The procedure uses the ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser to create a lenticule (about the size of a contact lens) extracted through an incision of fewer than 4 millimeters.
Both the incision and the lenticule are created in one step without the need for a flap. The lenticule is then removed through the incision, correcting your vision.
SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that severs fewer nerves in the cornea, significantly reducing the chances of dry eyes during recovery. SMILE also means a faster recovery for patients, meaning you can get back to the things you love in the blink of an eye.
Schedule a free consult to find out if SMILE is right for you!
Schedule FREE ConsultationAlthough it may seem like there are similarities between SMILE and LASIK, these procedures are very different. What is the most distinguishable difference between the two?
LASIK involves creating a flap in the cornea to reshape the tissue. Removing this tissue corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
After creating the flap, it's pulled back to provide access to thicker tissue in the cornea's middle layer. After removing a precise and predetermined amount of tissue, the flap is put back in place. It acts as a natural bandage in the eye and helps with healing after LASIK.
During SMILE, there is no flap created. Instead, your surgeon makes a tiny incision, followed by a lenticule.
Because there is no flap, SMILE is often a better fit for patients with dry eyes or who may have been told they are not good LASIK candidates due to thinner corneas. If your corneas are too thin, removing even a tiny amount of tissue from the cornea during a procedure like LASIK can cause complications and issues with your vision.
With SMILE, because there is no flap, the vision correction procedure is more accessible to a wider variety of patients. It's also an excellent choice for athletes nervous about damaging the delicate flap created during LASIK as they recover.
Another difference between SMILE and LASIK is the refractive errors that the procedures can treat. SMILE is only FDA-approved to correct nearsightedness and some astigmatism. However, LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
The only way to know if you're a good SMILE candidate is to schedule an evaluation at Cumberland Eye Care in Crossville, TN. However, you may be a good SMILE candidate if the following apply:
Find out if you could be a good SMILE candidate by scheduling your evaluation today at Cumberland Eye Care in Crossville, TN!
