A comprehensive guide to SMILE Refractive Procedure

If you wear corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, you would have had thoughts about getting a corrective eye surgery done, not to mention all the people around you who keep suggesting LASER eye surgeries.

While you are considering getting the surgery done, you should be aware of the options available to you when you go for a consultation with your ophthalmologist.

The two most popular LASER surgeries for eyes in the past few years are LASIK surgery and SMILE refractive surgery, also called SMILE refractive procedure. For this article, we are going to focus on the SMILE refractive procedure.

What is a SMILE refractive procedure?

SMILE refractive procedure, or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction surgery, is performed using a femtosecond laser to create a small lenticule in the cornea.

After the lenticule is created, a small incision is made using the laser, through which the doctors extract the lenticule. This lenticule extraction helps to change the shape of the cornea, which further helps to achieve the desired refractive changes in the eye.

Note that:

• SMILE refractive procedure is a relatively new surgical procedure that has similar effects as LASIK surgery.
• Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are conditions that can be treated using the SMILE refractive procedure.
• As it is a LASER surgery, a SMILE refractive procedure is a minimally invasive procedure, and the surgical site heals in a short period.
• Before going for a SMILE refractive procedure, your doctor will probably suggest switching to glasses before the surgery if you have been using lenses. The corrective glasses you use should be stable for at least a year before the planned surgery.
• SMILE refractive procedure is a relatively safer surgery and has fewer complications.

SMILE Refractive Procedure Advantages

• SMILE refractive procedure is a minimally invasive procedure as the incision made is minute, up to 3 mm. Hence, the treatment and healing are faster, with very few SMILE refractive surgery complications.
• Chances of dryness of the eye and dehydration are less following the SMILE refractive procedure as compared to other laser surgeries.
• As the incision made during the SMILE refractive procedure is small, it also affects only a few corneal nerves. As a result, it causes fewer disturbances to the nerves and provides more stability to the cornea.

SMILE Refractive Procedure Complications

Just like every other surgery, the SMILE refractive procedure also has some complications. Following are a few of the common complications seen following SMILE refractive procedure-

• SMILE refractive procedure may leave your vision overcorrected or undercorrected. However, these defects can be cleared by additional surgery or the use of glasses or contact lenses.
• Inflammation and/or infection to the treated area following the SMILE refractive procedure can be seen, but these usually go away naturally or with minimal treatment.
• Some patients also complain of seeing glare and halos around light, particularly at night.

Why choose Centre For Sight?

Now that we have had an overview of SMILE refractive surgery, you must be wondering how to find the best SMILE refractive surgery hospital. You need not worry! Centre for Sight got you covered. We have a well-qualified and verified team of doctors and healthcare professionals to provide you with the best service possible. With more than 45 eye care centres around the country, we aim at providing you with the best specialized and professional eye care. Our doctors and staff will assist you throughout the procedure.

So, if you plan to go for SMILE refractive surgery or any other laser corrective eye surgeries or just want information about any eye-related procedures, visit your nearest CFS centre. Our team will make sure to guide you through the entire process.

Article: A comprehensive guide to SMILE Refractive Procedure

Author: CFS Editorial Team  |  May 04 2021 | UPDATED 04:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.