SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) corrects myopia and astigmatism with a laser — so far, much like LASIK, the best-known refractive surgery. The real difference comes down to one point, and it is worth understanding.
What changes: there is no flap
In LASIK, the surgeon cuts and lifts a thin layer of the cornea (the corneal flap) to treat the tissue underneath with a laser, then puts it back in place. SMILE skips this step. The laser creates a small piece of tissue inside the cornea — the lenticule — and the ophthalmologist removes it through a tiny incision just a few millimeters wide, without opening or lifting a layer on top.
Why does this matter? Less manipulation of the corneal surface means the cornea retains more of its original structural strength, and recovery generally involves less dry eye than traditional LASIK — one of the most common side effects reported by patients who have had the classic procedure.
Here is the procedure explained step by step:
It is not suitable for every case
Like any refractive surgery, it is not suitable for every prescription or every person. It depends on corneal thickness, the degree of myopia or astigmatism, and other factors that only an eye examination can determine. If you are interested, the first step is always an assessment with a specialist, not a decision based on something you read online — including here.