SMILE

About SMILE LVC Eye Surgery

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) Laser Vision Correction (LVC) eye surgery corrects nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism using an advanced short-pulsed femtosecond laser. Refractive errors like nearsightedness occur when light entering the eye does not focus at the back of the eye where it should. SMILE reshapes the inner layers of the cornea, the clear structure at the front of the eye, to correct the angle of light. This will allow clear vision without the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses for most patients. Since SMILE is performed through a 4 mm corneal incision, it is considered the least invasive type of LVC eye surgery, SMILE has minimal recovery time and lets you return to regular activities within a few days.

Who Will Benefit From SMILE?

Your eye surgeon will evaluate your eye health, your type of refractive error, and your lifestyle before determining the type of LVC procedure that will work best for you. Good candidates for SMILE have healthy eyes and want to correct nearsightedness or astigmatism. People who have dry eyes or engage in contact sports may make good candidates for SMILE since it does not create a corneal flap. You should be over 18 and have had a stable prescription for at least a year.

Learn More About SMILE

During SMILE LVC eye surgery, a femtosecond laser uses extremely high-speed pulses to create a disc of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea. After completing the corneal disc, the laser makes a small incision (less than 4mm) on the cornea’s surface. Your surgeon removes the disc through this incision, which changes the shape of the cornea. This change allows light to focus on the retina at the back of the eye so you can see clearly. The procedure for both eyes usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Most people can resume driving and other activities one to three days after their procedure. You may notice better vision within just a few hours. You should avoid strenuous exercise or water activities like swimming for at least 3 days, although you can resume light activities almost immediately. You will have a follow-up appointment the day after your procedure to ensure your healing progresses normally.

Most people who have a SMILE LVC procedure will achieve vision correction that lets them stop wearing glasses or contact lenses. Some people may still need glasses for special situations like reading or driving at night. 84% of eyes may achieve 20/20 uncorrected vision or better. While you may experience improved vision within hours, it can continue to improve for several weeks to up to 6 months.

To schedule your in-person Laser Vision Correction consultation, call Alabata Eye Center at (850) 331-3937. A referral is not necessary. Thank you for trusting our professional services!

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