SMILE Vision Correction: What to Expect Before and After!

Many people want to permanently bid adieu to their contact lenses or eyeglasses, which is why refractive surgeries such as LASIK and SMILE have become so sought-after. While LASIK has been around for a while and is fairly well-known, its newer counterpart, SMILE vision correction, is still a mystery to many people.

SMILE, short for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, treats myopia, presbyopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. What marks it different from LASIK is the use of a femtosecond laser to ensure smaller incisions during the surgery.

What to expect during SMILE vision correction?

It’s natural to feel nervous before any medical procedure, and a great way to dispel the nervousness is by understanding what to expect during the procedure. With that in mind, let’s go through what the SMILE vision correction procedure entails.

1. The surgeon will start by using a proprietary laser (the aforementioned femtosecond laser) to create a small incision in the cornea.
2. Then, another incision is made on the surface of the cornea. The lenticule is extracted through this incision.
3. The shape of the cornea is then changed to improve the vision.

Do keep in mind that because the incision made of the cornea is very small (2-3mm in size), there are no stitches or medical intervention needed to help it heal. In fact, the incision heals automatically within a few days.

What is done before and after the process? 

There are a few precautions that you need to take in order to ensure quick healing and optimal results. 

The following precautions are necessary before undergoing the procedure:

1. Do not wear eye makeup or skin creams for a week before the procedure. The goal is to keep the eyes clean to prevent any risk of infections.
2. Do not wear contact lenses for a week before the procedure so that the eyes are well-rested.
3. Carry something warm to wear during the procedure. This is because the equipment used must be kept at a cold temperature, and the room can get quite cold. Being comfortable during the procedure is very important as you shouldn’t move or fidget while it’s going on.
4. Share your medical history with your Ophthalmologist to be safe.

Once the procedure is over, your Ophthalmologist will offer advice regarding how you can take care of yourself. However, here are a few tips that you should keep in mind:

1. Ask someone to accompany you to the surgery as you won’t be able to drive back home on your own.
2. Download a few audiobooks or podcasts to keep yourself entertained after the surgery. You will be asked to allow your eyes to rest by avoiding watching television or looking at your smartphone.
3. Expect your vision to be slightly blurry on the day of the surgery and the day after. It takes a while for the vision to set properly. However, if you experience any odd symptoms such as pain or swelling, you should immediately consult the doctor.

What is the eligibility criteria for the treatment?

There are a few eligibility parameters that patients must meet in order to get the SMILE vision correction procedure. Some of these parameters are:

1. You need to be at least 22 years of age.
2. The prescription of your eyeglasses must be stable for at least 12 months.
3. Your prescription number cannot be higher than -5.0D of astigmatism. 

Why CFS?

Any refractive eye surgery requires expertise, proper equipment, and efficient aftercare. At CFS, we can proudly say that we offer all three. As one of the leading chains of eye care hospitals in India, we are one of the top places for SMILE vision correction surgery. Schedule an appointment today! 

Article:SMILE Vision Correction: What to Expect Before and After!
Author: CFS Editorial Team   |   Dec 16 2021 | UPDATED 09:00 IST

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