What Is SMILE Eye Treatment and Why Should You Consider It?

Throughout the decades, there have been significant advancements in vision correction procedures. Currently, there are new procedures that are being tested all around the world so that vision correction can be easier and less invasive.

For many years, people have depended on eyeglasses or contact lenses to help them see clearly. Now, there are other vision correction alternatives. You can get a consultation for SMILE eye treatment in Vaughan, ON.

However, SMILE eye treatment is not a common term that most people are acquainted with.

What Is SMILE Eye Treatment?

In the pursuit of other options for vision correction, most people have come across LASIK. It is the most famous technique used to correct vision, and most people opt for it because of the speedy recovery after the treatment. However, as good as LASIK is, the ReLEX SMILE procedure was developed as an alternative to LASIK.

SMILE laser was developed close to a decade ago in Germany and has changed countless lives worldwide.

In case you are wondering, SMILE is an acronym. The full name of the procedure can be challenging to remember, and it can be a mouthful. It stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. This is a one-laser procedure performed by a VisuMax femtosecond laser to make a minute incision in the cornea and then remove a lenticule (small piece of corneal tissue). Your cornea is reshaped, and just like that, your vision improves.

The ReLEX SMILE technique is safer, faster, and gentler than LASIK or PRK. The stability of your cornea will be maintained, and there will be little to no disturbance of the production of the tear film. This is what makes the SMILE LASIK technique appropriate for people who have contact lens intolerance or dry eyes.

What even makes the procedure even better is that it only takes a few minutes to complete.

Is There a Difference Between SMILE and LASIK?

LASIK has been around and has been used for a little longer than SMILE. However, SMILE is an excellent alternative to LASIK. Here are some of the things that set the two techniques apart:

• With the SMILE technique, an eye surgeon can treat myopia or nearsightedness with or without astigmatism, but SMILE cannot correct isolated astigmatism, whereas LASIK treats all types of refractive errors.
• There is a higher probability of scarring with LASIK than with SMILE.
• With LASIK, a flap is made surgically in the cornea to enable the excimer laser to reach the eye’s deep parts. SMILE, on the other hand, uses one laser to reshape and flatten the cornea.
• SMILE can be performed in patients with thin corneas, whereas LASIK isn’t ideal for people with thin corneas.

Who Is the Right Candidate for SMILE Eye Surgery?

The whole aim of laser vision correction is to reduce or eliminate the need for contact lenses or glasses. Therefore, the procedure is suited for people who have a high degree of myopia (near-sightedness) and astigmatism.

SMILE vision is also an appropriate treatment for patients who aren’t eligible to undergo LASIK surgery. It can be a good idea to go for SMILE eye treatment if you need a solution that allows you to return to work or school almost immediately after. With SMILE, there is less impact to the nerves, meaning faster healing time.

Unfortunately, SMILE cannot treat far-sightedness or presbyopia at the moment.

What Are the Benefits of SMILE Eye Treatment?

ReLEX SMILE has a number potential of benefits, including the following:

• The technique uses a smaller incision as compared to its predecessors, meaning that there will be less disruption on the eye’s surface.
• There is a lower probability of experiencing dry eye as is the case with LASIK.
• The procedure is fast, typically less than ten minutes.
• The procedure ensures quick recovery since there is less impact on the nerves.

SMILE is a relatively new technique in the market. However, there are numerous testimonies on how good the procedure is in correcting myopia. Contact our optometrist at Dr. Allyson Tang Optometrist if you need more information.