SMILE: Minimally Invasive, Flapless Laser Vision Correction
Clear vision is essential for virtually everything – our work, our daily activities, our quality of life as such. Unfortunately, not everyone has good natural vision. Eye conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, so-called refractive errors, are very common.
Many people wear glasses or contact lenses to see well, but some consider them a great inconvenience. They just want to enjoy good vision without glasses or contacts. Thanks to medical advancements, this is possible. Minimally invasive surgery, for example, is quickly becoming the standard of care in many medical fields, and also in refractive surgery.
Small incision lenticule extraction, or SMILE for short, is the 3rd generation of laser vision correction beyond PRK and LASIK. It is a minimally invasive, flapless procedure that combines the advantages of the two previous generations. Requiring no flap, the outer corneal layer remains largely intact. There is less incidence of dry eye and other postsurgical effects. The overall treatment is gentle, and visual recovery is normally fast.
What You Should Know About SMILE
How the Eye Works: Understanding Vision
The human eye is truly remarkable in its design. Each eye is unique. The vision quality we enjoy is largely determined by the size and shape of our eyes.
With a healthy eye, light rays entering the eye are focused directly on the retina to form a sharp image, which is then sent to the brain via the optic nerve and results in a visual image. When the eye’s dimensions are not aligned, the light rays are not correctly focused. This results in a refractive error such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (an irregular curvature of the cornea). Refractive errors are very widespread and affect people of all ages.
SMILE Minimally Invasive Surgery: An Advanced Procedure
With the development of SMILE, a minimally invasive procedure has become available. It has quickly established itself as a gentle treatment option.
A small piece of tissue (lenticule) is created inside the cornea with the laser and removed through a small incision. Minimally invasive means there is minimal corneal tissue intervention. Many of the upper layers of the cornea are unaffected. This offers the potential for preserved biomechanical stability of the eye and fast healing.
SMILE is also a keyhole procedure, meaning that there are no flap-related complications and side effects. As a result, corneal sensitivity, for the most part, is quickly recovered.
Visual recovery, in general, is fast. Patients can normally return to work, take a shower or apply makeup shortly after surgery. Driving and sports activities are possible within a few days.
At a Glance:
- SMILE is a minimally invasive, flapless laser vision correction procedure.
- The procedure is gentle and requires only a small incision, which helps reduce the risk of infection and the incidence of dry eyes.
- With no flap required, corneal sensitivity is generally recovered quickly.
- Visual recovery is fast, with patients often returning to work, showering, or applying makeup within a few days of surgery. Driving and sports activities are also possible within a few days.
- SMILE provides excellent visual outcomes with high predictability, making it a compelling option for many patients.
- The procedure is odorless and noiseless, providing a comfortable and stress-free patient experience.
- SMILE is also an interesting treatment option for athletes engaging in contact sports, flight crews, military and rescue personnel.
What to Expect During SMILE Surgery
At Spanish Eye Clinic, a SMILE surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes around 30 minutes to complete. Before the surgery, your eye will be numbed with eye drops, and you will be given a mild sedative to help you relax.
During the surgery, you will be asked to look at a light while the laser creates a small piece of tissue (lenticule) inside your cornea. Once the lenticule is created, it will be removed through a small incision. You will feel some pressure and discomfort during the surgery, but it is generally not painful.
After the surgery, you will be given eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. You may experience some discomfort, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision for a few days following the surgery. Doctors at Spanish Eye Clinic will give you specific instructions for postoperative care, including how to care for your eyes and when you can resume normal activities.
Is SMILE Right for Me?
Whether SMILE is the right treatment option for you depends on various factors, including the severity of your refractive error, the thickness and shape of your cornea, and the overall health of your eyes. Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine if you are a good candidate for SMILE.
SMILE Results and Recovery
Visual recovery following SMILE surgery is generally fast, with most patients experiencing improved vision within a few days. You may need to wear a protective shield over your eye for a few days after the surgery, and you should avoid rubbing your eyes or engaging in strenuous activities for several weeks following the procedure.
SMILE has been shown to have high predictability and excellent visual outcomes, with most patients achieving 20/20 vision or better following the surgery. The procedure has also been found to have a low incidence of side effects, such as dry eye, and is generally well-tolerated by patients.
If you are interested in learning more about SMILE and whether it is the right treatment option for you, please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced eye doctors. Spanish Eye Clinic is here to help you achieve clear, comfortable vision without the hassle of glasses or contacts!
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