SMILE is a new vision correction surgery that was approved in 2016 by the FDA. The acronym SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, which is performed using a special type of laser called a femtosecond laser. Dr. Nathan Anderson offers this eye surgery to correct nearsightedness.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
SMILE laser eye surgery is used to correct nearsightedness in individuals who are 22 years of age or older. It works by reshaping the cornea. However, instead of removing small bits of corneal tissue from the cornea, this procedure removed a small disk or lens-shaped piece of cornea. This permanently changes the shape of the cornea to provide the individual with clearer vision.
Benefits of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction
- 4mm incision
- Complete laser surgery
- Corrects moderate to severe nearsightedness
- Few complication risks
- No need for a corneal flap
- No stitches needed
- Only a few minutes per eye
Good Candidates for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction
Most adults with nearsightedness are good candidates for SMILE laser eye surgery so long as they do not have any eye health problems or conditions that would affect their ability to heal.
- No change in prescription in 12 months
- No eye disease or chronic health conditions that would affect healing
- Must be at least 22 years old
- Good eye health
- Active lifestyle that makes wearing corrective lenses cumbersome
SMILE Eye Surgery with our Eye Surgeon
Dr. Anderson can evaluate your eyes to determine if SMILE eye surgery would be right for you. During the evaluation phase, your vision will be tested and compared to previous vision tests in order to ensure that your eye prescription has not changed within the last 12 months. This is because your vision must be stable in order to achieve the desired results from the eye surgery. At Anderson Ophthalmology we will also test your eyes for certain eye diseases, like AMD, glaucoma and cataracts. If you have any of these eye problems, we may recommend a different surgery in order to correct your vision. Your cornea will also be precisely mapped by our computer and the thickness of your cornea will be measured. If everything looks good, your Small Incision Lenticule Extraction will be scheduled at an outpatient center.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction eye surgery takes less than 15 minutes per eye. The procedure involves making a small 4mm incision in your cornea and removing a disk-shaped piece, which immediately reshapes your cornea in order to give you better vision and a reduced or eliminated need for glasses or contacts during the day.
After Small Incision Lenticule Extraction
After your SMILE laser eye surgery, someone should be with you for the rest of the day as you may have blurry vision, and you will need to recover from the medications given to you for the laser eye surgery. Over the next 48 hours, you will notice a gradual improvement in your vision with maximum results being achieved a few weeks after surgery. During the healing phase, you’ll have several follow-up appointments to ensure your eyes are healing correctly and to test your visual acuity. Most individuals do not need glasses for everyday activities, but you may still need glasses in order to read and drive at night.
To schedule an appointment to see if laser vision correction would be right for you, call us today at 800-462-8749.