Have you been searching for ways to get clearer vision without your glasses or contact lenses? Although you may have heard of LASIK, at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana, we also offer SMILE, a minimally invasive vision correction procedure that can help you gain visual independence and experience the world with clear vision.
What is SMILE?
SMILE is a laser vision correction procedure that can improve vision in patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism. An irregularly shaped cornea or an eye that is too long or short can result in a refractive error like nearsightedness and astigmatism.
SMILE corrects this refractive error using a specialized laser to reshape the cornea so that light can bounce off the retina and give you a clearer image. It is a quick procedure with short recovery times and a high patient satisfaction rate.
How is SMILE Different from LASIK?
SMILE and LASIK differ in a variety of ways, but there are some significant differences that are good to know:
No Corneal Flap is Made
During the LASIK procedure, a flap is created in the cornea to access the corneal tissue beneath and reshape it. With SMILE, no flap is made at all.
Instead, a lenticule is created to reshape the cornea, making it less invasive to the eye. A lenticule is a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue that is pulled through an incision in the cornea to correct your vision.
This incision is much smaller than the incision created with LASIK, at 4-6 millimeters, while the LASIK incision is 20 millimeters. If you are not a good LASIK candidate due to corneas that are too thin or dry eye syndrome, you may be a good fit for SMILE because it is less invasive to the cornea.
This can also make the recovery time quicker than LASIK or PRK.
Does Not Treat Farsightedness
While LASIK can correct farsightedness, SMILE is only suitable for those with mild astigmatism or nearsightedness. If you are farsighted, LASIK or PRK may be a better option for you.
What are the Benefits of Choosing SMILE?
Some of the benefits of choosing SMILE are that it:
Who is a Good Candidate for SMILE?
You may be a good candidate for SMILE if:
If you want to know whether you are a good candidate for SMILE or other refractive procedures, you should schedule a consultation with your eye doctor at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana. During your consultation, they will conduct a comprehensive eye exam, ask questions about your medical history and lifestyle, and determine whether SMILE could be right for you.
What Can I Expect During the SMILE Procedure?
Before you undergo SMILE, your surgeon will apply numbing drops to your eyes so you won’t feel pain or discomfort. If you are feeling nervous or anxious, they may offer you a sedative to relax.
They will place an eyelid holder in your eye to keep it open. Your surgeon will then use a femtosecond laser to create a lenticule inside the cornea.
After, they will create a tiny incision on the eye and remove the lenticule through the incision, reshaping the cornea. This results in sharper vision, as the refractive error is corrected.
What is Recovery Like after SMILE?
Immediately following the procedure, you will need someone to drive you home. Your doctor will clear you to drive and resume other activities at your first follow-up appointment.
It is best to plan to rest for the remainder of the day to allow yourself time to recover. You may experience blurred vision, light sensitivity, or a scratchy feeling in your eyes.
Make sure to use the eye drops prescribed by your surgeon to reduce inflammation and prevent infection as directed. You will need to attend follow-up appointments with your eye doctor to ensure your eyes are healing as expected and receive any further care instructions.
Most patients can return to work the day after SMILE and can resume life as usual after only a few days. In the days and weeks after SMILE, you’ll notice your vision starting to improve.
You may notice that your new vision is sharper and clearer than with glasses or contacts. Most patients who undergo SMILE achieve 20/20 vision or better and enjoy complete visual freedom from glasses and contacts.
Are you interested in getting better vision with SMILE? Find out whether the procedure is right for you by scheduling an appointment with 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN, today!