Know About Benefits of SMILE Laser Eye Surgery

When it comes to vision problems, refractive errors are statistically the most frequent ones of them all across the globe. Though conditions like cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are also on the list of common eye diseases, blurry vision caused by myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism affects more than 2 billion individuals belonging to all age groups, even kids as young as 4. 

Where most people prefer corrective glasses as they can fix these errors most simply, many people, if their ophthalmologists allow it, opt for surgeries to get a more permanent solution and to avoid having to wear contacts or spectacles. Refractive surgeries change the shape of the cornea in a way that helps the rays converge at the perfect spot on the optic nerve and create sharp images. 

What is SMILE laser eye surgery?

ReLEx (Refractive Lenticule Extraction) SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a recently developed bladeless procedure that uses advanced lasers without creating a flap correct refractive errors, mainly myopia and astigmatism. This SMILE laser eye surgery has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA). It is rapidly becoming popular among patients because of its numerous advantages over any other type of eye surgery and its excellent success rate.

How is it different from LASIK surgery?

With both surgeries having laser-guided technology in common, the actual methods are quite different.

In LASIK, a corneal flap is created using a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser, which is then opened. An excimer laser is applied to alter the cornea’s curve. The flap is placed back once the process is complete. 

However, in SMILE, no flap is created. First, a small corneal tissue layer, a lenticule, is created, followed by an incision of about 2-4mm, both using the highly focused laser beam of a VisuMax femtosecond laser. The lenticule is then gently removed through the opening without causing any damage to the cornea.

Main benefits of SMILE laser eye surgery:

1.  Minimally invasive

Unlike any other surgical procedure, SMILE laser eye surgery makes no use of any kind of blade. Laser technology is used to create the lenticule as well as to make the tiny incision in the cornea. So, the chances of infection, dry eye, or other complications and risks with blades are zero.   

2.  Takes less time

The entire process right from the step where the numbing drops are used to the step where the lenticule is removed, changing the shape of your cornea and correcting the error takes only about 10-15 minutes. The laser has a pre-prepared map of your cornea, and the actual reshaping procedure happens in about 30 to 45 seconds. So in totality, you will have to spend only about an hour under surgery. 

3.  Shorter recovery period

Since there is no flap involved, the recovery period too is relatively less. The laser technology is 10 times gentler than an excimer laser which reduces the chances of inflammation. If proper post-operative care is taken, all the drops prescribed by your ophthalmologist are used regularly, the total recovery will not take more than a week before you will be ready to go following your normal lifestyle.

The SMILE laser eye surgery has proven to improve vision by up to 80% and is perfect for you even if you are not eligible for LASIK or have thinner corneas. Consult with your ophthalmologist to know what will work best for you.