What is SMILE eye surgery?

SMILE is an acronym for SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction.

In LASIK, a large opening is required to enable the excimer laser to reshape the underlying cornea. In SMILE, only a very small opening is needed (often less than 4 mm) to facilitate removal of the lenticule. In the SMILE procedure, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to create a small, lens-shaped bit of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea. Then, with the same laser, a small arc-shaped incision is made in the surface of the cornea, and the surgeon extracts the lenticule through this incision and discards it.

With the tiny lenticule removed, the shape of the cornea is altered, correcting nearsightedness. The corneal incision heals within a few days without stitches, and sharper vision occurs very quickly.

Benefits of SMILE laser eye surgery

• Fast laser vision correction treatments – SMILE takes less than 15 minutes, with the laser only used for a fraction of this time
• Minimally Invasive – SMILE requires only a small incision (Incision size 2–4 MM). This gentle procedure means: Low infection and no flap complications. Better for the stability of the cornea.
• Generally Fast Healing  – With SMILE, full visual recovery can normally occur within just a few days following your surgery.
• Less risk of developing dry eyes
• Maximum Comfort – SMILE supports a stress-free and comfortable treatment experience, which only takes a few minutes.
• More patients are eligible for SMILE
• No flap complications
• Zero Odour and Noise
• Reliable Precision – SMILE has proven predominantly excellent outcomes with a high degree of predictability.
• Vision stabilized and return to work in one day
• Within one week back to showering, applying makeup, doing sports, driving and other daily activities

Read more about SMILE

Am I suitable for SMILE eye surgery?

One of the great things about SMILE laser eye surgery is that more people are suitable for this than for LASEK and LASIK treatment. With regards to the latter two options, patients with dry eyes generally aren’t accepted, so if you have mild to moderate dry eyes, SMILE treatment may be ideal. You could also benefit from SMILE eye surgery if you have an intolerance to contact lenses and/or a thinner than average cornea.

During your consultation, one of our expert optometrists and the surgeon will assess your suitability for laser eye surgery and advise you on which laser eye treatment is best for you. To book a consultation with us, please call us Call Nuffield hospital at 0300 790 6190

Treatment Procedure

During SMILE eye surgery, a state-of-the-art Carl Zeiss VisuMax laser places a series of pulses in the centre of the cornea, with extraordinary 3D accuracy. These pulses form bubbles that are less than 1/100th the width of a human hair, and which outline the tissue that needs to be removed to change the shape of the cornea. The laser then creates a tiny connecting tunnel through which the surgeon draws out this tissue.

With SMILE, no flap is created, so the eye is more comfortable post-operatively than other laser eye surgery techniques. The procedure takes a matter of minutes, and the vision is 80% better within a few hours. After a few days, the vision is excellent, and it reaches 100% within a few weeks.

Patients can expect a quick recovery time with SMILE laser eye surgery; however, it is completely normal if your vision is blurry for a little longer after you have had the procedure. At LVCND the aftercare plan, involves a follow-up appointment the next day, and then follow-up checks at intervals lasting for up to few months after this.

Your Journey

We have designed our eye surgery pathway to give you adequate space to consider your options without any pressure to sign up for any treatment. There is no obligation and we will be very pleased to give you information about all vision correction options, answer your questions and organise your suitability assessment.

Suitability Assessment

Assessment is with our expert optometrist. This normally takes an hour. Our optometrist will perform various eligibity tests and measurements and may be able to advise you on what is likely to be the best treatment option for you. At this visit our team will take you through our process, and give you our range of fees and affordable payment and finance options.

You will be given written information guides for the relevant procedures. Our optometrists can also organise an appointment for you to see our surgeon Mr Anandan for your comprehensive vision surgery consultation.

Consultation with Mr Anandan

The consultation with Mr Anandan is the defining stage of the process. The consultation includes a full and comprehensive assessment of your eyes and general health. Mr Anandan will then make his recommendation as to what in his professional opinion is the best vision correction surgery option for you, and explain the reasons behind that recommendation. You will be encouraged to ask questions and your queries will be answered fully. You will leave the consultation with an excellent understanding of all the issues relevant to your treatment to make an informed choice.