What Is the Difference Between SMILE and LASIK?

Are you tired of relying on glasses and contacts for clear vision? Do you want to enjoy visual freedom without worrying about visual aids?

You may be a good candidate for a laser vision correction procedure like LASIK or SMILE in Atlanta. Laser vision correction procedures use specialized lasers to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

However, their differences in procedure mean you may be a better candidate for one over the other. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between SMILE and LASIK, and find out which procedure could help you achieve clearer vision.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. It is an incredibly popular vision correction procedure with a 96% satisfaction rate.

Many patients can achieve 20/20 vision or better and experience vibrant, clear vision for decades. LASIK can reduce your reliance on glasses and contact lenses and even eliminate the need for them altogether.

How Does LASIK Work?

During LASIK, the eye is numbed with eye drops. Then, your LASIK surgeon will use a suction ring and a speculum to help keep your eye open.

Your LASIK surgeon will begin the procedure by creating a small flap on the surface of the cornea using a femtosecond laser. Once the flap is made, it is lifted, and the inner layer of the cornea is reshaped using an excimer laser. 

Then, your LASIK surgeon will put the flap in place, acting as a natural bandage for the eye during recovery. The recovery process from LASIK is very short, with most patients being able to return to normal activities the day after the procedure. 

You will likely start to notice improvements in your vision immediately after the procedure, but it could take up to six months for your vision to fully stabilize.

What is SMILE?

Atlanta Vision Institute is the only practice in Atlanta to offer SMILE, a state-of-the-art laser vision correction procedure that can treat nearsightedness and astigmatism. SMILE reshapes the cornea to allow light to reach the retina properly, giving you clear vision without needing glasses or contacts.

The main difference between LASIK and SMILE is that no flap is created in the cornea during the SMILE procedure, and it cannot treat farsightedness like LASIK.

What Happens During SMILE?

The SMILE procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes and begins similarly to LASIK. Your SMILE surgeon will numb your eye with eye drops and place a suction ring and an eyelid holder on it to keep it in place.

Then, they will use a femtosecond laser to create a small disc of tissue on your eye called a lenticule. Your eye surgeon will make a tiny incision in your eye with the laser and remove the lenticule through the same incision, which changes the shape of your cornea to correct your refractive errors.

Recovery after SMILE is quick and easy, meaning you will likely be able to resume normal activities after one or two days. Many patients notice an improvement in their vision right away. 

Over the next few weeks, your sight will continue improving, allowing you to see things clearer than ever before. After SMILE, you can enjoy the same crisp, clear vision you’d get with LASIK or better.

Who is a Good Candidate for SMILE and LASIK?

Candidacy for SMILE and LASIK is determined through a variety of factors, including:

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK, and at least 22 years old to undergo SMILE. This is because vision changes occur as a result of puberty and hormones.

Prescription

Your prescription must be stable for at least one year or more before getting LASIK or SMILE. If your vision is corrected before your prescription is stable, it could undo the effects of the procedure, meaning you will likely still need to rely on visual aids like glasses and contacts

You must also have a prescription within the ranges LASIK and SMILE can treat. It’s important to note that while LASIK can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, SMILE only treats nearsightedness and astigmatism.

Pregnancy or Nursing

When you are pregnant or nursing, hormonal changes can cause your prescription to become unstable. To ensure your prescription is stable, you cannot have either procedure while you are pregnant, and it is best to wait at least three months after you have finished nursing to consider LASIK or SMILE.

Corneal Thickness

A vital component of LASIK candidacy is having thick corneas. During LASIK, your surgeon will create a flap on the surface of the cornea.

Your cornea needs to be thick enough to create this flap safely. During your consultation, your eye doctor at Atlanta Vision Institute will measure your corneas to ensure they are thick enough for LASIK.

Because SMILE does not require the creation of a corneal flap, it can be an excellent alternative for patients with thinner corneas.

Lifestyle

Patients who play contact sports like boxing may be better candidates for SMILE than LASIK. This is because the flap made during LASIK has the potential to become dislodged due to injury, which could pose a risk to your vision.

Medical History

You must be healthy enough to undergo SMILE or LASIK and recover properly from the procedure. If you have conditions like lupus, diabetes, or Sjogren’s syndrome, you may not be a suitable vision correction candidate.

Eye Health

You are not a good candidate for LASIK or SMILE if you have eye conditions like glaucoma or cataracts. If you have severe dry eye syndrome, LASIK has the potential to worsen your condition.

However, you may still be a good candidate for SMILE. This is because the SMILE procedure affects fewer nerves in the cornea, which is a common cause of post-operative dry eye in LASIK patients.

To find out whether you are a good candidate for LASIK or SMILE, you should schedule a consultation with your eye doctor at Atlanta Vision Institute. They can assess your eyes and discuss your medical background and lifestyle to determine the right laser vision correction procedure for you.

Are you ready to enjoy freedom from glasses and contacts with SMILE or LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Atlanta Vision Institute in Atlanta, GA, today!