- SMILE has been FDA approved since September 2016 and is backed by hundreds of clinical studies as a safe, effective alternative to LASIK.
- SMILE cannot guarantee you will never need glasses again, but most patients gain lasting freedom from daily glasses and contacts.
- The procedure itself is painless, numbing drops are used throughout, and it takes only 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
- Recovery is short, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days and stable vision within about a week.
- SMILE corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism only. It does not treat cataracts or presbyopia, and higher prescriptions may be candidates for IQ Laser Vision’s proprietary Micro-SMILE technique instead.
It is not unusual to feel uncertain about laser vision correction. After all, this is a procedure that involves your eyes and how you see the world around you.
That uncertainty is often made worse by myths surrounding procedures like SMILE and LASIK. So what is actually true about SMILE? Below, we break down the seven most common myths, followed by real reviews from patients who have had the procedure.
What is SMILE laser eye surgery?
SMILE, or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, is a minimally invasive, flapless laser procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, SMILE does not require creating a corneal flap. Instead, a surgeon uses a laser to form a small lens-shaped piece of tissue, called a lenticule, inside the cornea, then removes it through a tiny incision of less than 4 millimeters.
Myth 1: SMILE is not an effective or proven form of vision correction
SMILE has been FDA approved in the United States since September 2016 for myopia, with approval expanded in 2018 to cover myopia with astigmatism. It is far from a new or unproven procedure.
Multiple clinical studies have examined SMILE and found it to be as safe and effective as LASIK for correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism. As a minimally invasive procedure, SMILE also allows most patients to return to everyday activities the next day. It may also be a better fit than LASIK for people with dry eyes or thinner corneas.
Myth 2: You will still need glasses after SMILE
There is no absolute guarantee that you will never need glasses again after SMILE. However, most patients achieve significant freedom from glasses and contact lenses for daily activities, sports, and an active lifestyle.
It is important to understand what SMILE can and cannot treat:
- SMILE corrects current refractive errors, including nearsightedness and astigmatism.
- SMILE cannot treat cataracts or presbyopia, both of which are age-related and may still require reading glasses later in life.
- Most patients enjoy years of clear distance vision after the procedure.
Myth 3: You could go blind from SMILE
This is false. There is no evidence linking SMILE to blindness. Like any surgical procedure, SMILE carries some risk of complications, but permanent vision loss is not among the documented risks, and SMILE has an excellent overall safety record.
Part of what makes SMILE so safe is the candidacy screening process. Before your procedure, you will attend a consultation to confirm you are a good fit. General candidacy guidelines include:
- At least 18 years old
- Nearsighted, have astigmatism, or both
- Healthy eyes, particularly healthy corneas
- Good general health
- A stable prescription that has not changed in at least a year
If you qualify, your surgeon will give you pre-operative instructions, which typically include stopping hard contact lens wear at least four weeks before surgery and soft contact lens wear at least two weeks before, since contacts can temporarily reshape the cornea.
Myth 4: SMILE is painful
SMILE is not a painful procedure. Numbing eye drops are applied before the procedure begins, so you should not feel pain during treatment.
Here is what to expect during the procedure:
- Numbing drops are applied to the eye.
- An eyelid holder keeps the eye open, which may cause slight pressure but no pain.
- The surgeon creates a lenticule inside the cornea using a laser, taking about 30 seconds.
- A small incision of less than 4 millimeters is made on the surface of the eye.
- The lenticule is removed through the incision, reshaping the cornea.
The entire procedure typically takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.
Myth 5: SMILE recovery takes a long time
As a minimally invasive procedure, SMILE causes only minimal discomfort during recovery. Some healing time is needed, as with any surgery, but it is generally brief.
On the day of your procedure, plan to go home and rest, ideally with someone else driving you. Vision often begins improving that same day. Most patients find their vision stabilizes within about a week, and many return to driving, work, sports, and wearing makeup within a few days.
Myth 6: My prescription is too severe to treat with SMILE
SMILE is FDA approved for nearsightedness and astigmatism, not farsightedness. If you are farsighted, a procedure such as PRK may be a better option.
For nearsightedness and astigmatism, standard SMILE treatment ranges are:
- Nearsightedness between -1 and -10 diopters
- Astigmatism up to 3 diopters
Patients outside these ranges are not automatically excluded from treatment. IQ Laser Vision also offers Micro-SMILE, a proprietary technique that can treat higher prescriptions from -7 to -10 diopters and may suit patients with dry eyes or thinner than average corneas.
Myth 7: SMILE results are not permanent and you will need a touch-up
SMILE is a permanent procedure because it works by reshaping the cornea to correct your current refractive error. Some patients assume that having SMILE or LASIK means their vision will never change again. That is not accurate. Age-related conditions such as cataracts and presbyopia can still develop later in life regardless of prior vision correction surgery.
Enhancement procedures after SMILE are uncommon. Because SMILE preserves more corneal nerve tissue and causes less corneal dehydration than LASIK, SMILE patients are statistically less likely to need a touch-up procedure.
SMILE vs LASIK: how do they compare?
| Feature | SMILE | LASIK |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal flap | No flap created | Flap created and repositioned |
| Incision size | Less than 4 millimeters | Larger flap incision |
| Procedure time | 10 to 15 minutes | Similar, typically under 15 minutes |
| Best suited for | Nearsightedness, astigmatism, dry eye prone or thinner corneas | Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism |
| Recovery | Vision stabilizes in about a week | Vision stabilizes in about a week |
| FDA approval range | -1 to -10D myopia, up to 3D astigmatism | Broader treatment range, including hyperopia |
For more detail on how these procedures compare, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has published clinical coverage of SMILE’s FDA approval and outcomes.
SMILE Laser Eye Surgery Reviews
I had the SMILE procedure performed by Dr. Lin at this IQ Laser Vision location back on January 20th. The entire experience from the consultation to the check-up appointment was brilliant. The equipment they had their location was state-of-the-art and was definitely made for the comfort of the patients.
They really make sure everything with you is good to go before they perform the procedure. They also make sure you fully understand what to expect after the procedure as well, which is something I appreciated.
The experience of going from glasses and contacts to being able to see clearly without them was definitely worth getting the surgery at IQ Laser Vision. I only wish this place were closer to where I live so that I could get regular eye exams here.
A.K.
Exactly 8 weeks ago I had the SMILE procedure performed by Dr. Liu. I am so very grateful that I got this done. I was at the point where I just could not bear to wear my contact lenses any more since they irritated me so much. I was slated to have this performed back in December but it was put on hold to ensure that I was truly a candidate due to some concerns with my cornea during the initial consultation. All the staff were professional and easy to work with. Dr. Liu went above and beyond to answer my numerous questions. She discussed my surgery options and took the time to ensure that I made the decision that best suited me. The surgery went much smoother than I expected and it was over very quickly. I had some discomfort a few days after surgery but fortunately it did not last. I was able to see 20/15 two days after surgery. My close up vision was a bit blurry for the first week and gradually got better. I now have great vision up close. The transient haziness and dryness is becoming much less frequent and I feel as though I am already about 95% there. My quality of life has truly improved and I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone who wishes to have SMILE or any other laser vision correction surgery. Your eyes are truly in great hands with them.
E.B.
The staff were friendly and very careful regarding all covid-19 protocols. The entire process from the virtual consultation to the post-operation appointment had been clear and thorough. I was honestly surprised at how quick I got the surgery done in about two weeks time.
I got an appointment for the virtual consultation at the end of April and ended up deciding to get the SMILE procedure after they had recommended this to be the least invasive. I only needed the weekend to recover to return to work. They walked me through all the steps and made sure I was comfortable during the operation. As cliche as it sounds, this is definitely an event I should have done sooner and would recommend any of my friends who wear glasses or contacts for a living. It’s never too late!
A.N.
I got the SMILE procedure done a little over a year ago and no regrets to this day! It is wonderful waking up to 20/20 vision everyday. The entire process with IQ Vision, from consultation to aftercare, was extremely thorough. Dr. Liu was so knowledgeable, nice, and reassuring during the entire procedure. Following procedure, there were multiple follow up appointments until my eyesight stabilized. They care immensely about your vision. I would recommend IQ Vision to friends and family.
I.Y.
I had been toying with the idea of getting eye surgery for years, but was scared about it, worried about the cost, and wondered if even after getting surgery I would have clear vision. I decided to schedule a consult in Feb 2021 to find out more information regarding what my options could be! I spoke with Christine and she was incredibly helpful and informative on what IQ laser vision could offer me. After speaking with her and going to my pre-op appointment, I only got more and more excited about the surgery. The staff at both the Westminster location and the City of Industry have always been prompt with their service and ensuring that my questions were answered, and made me feel comfortable.
My surgery was back on 04/26 with Dr. Liu and it is indescribable how happy I am with my results. It almost feels too good to be true to not have to grab my glasses off my nightstand or need them anytime I want to watch tv or drive! I got the SMILE surgery which was incredibly quick and also painless. My recovery has also been the same. I have nothing but good things to say about IQ Laser Vision, and can’t thank them enough for the gift they’ve given me of being able to see without glasses!
If you’re thinking about getting vision correction surgery, DO IT! But make sure you get it done with IQ Laser Vision!
C.D.
The team at IQ Laser Vision is incredibly experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to getting a patient prepped for surgery. I had the SMILE procedure done and am super happy with the results. Shoutout to Dr. Nguyen for spending the past few months getting my eyes ready from CRT hard contacts to SMILE-ready and for Dr. Liu and the staff for doing an amazing job on surgery day. The procedure is quick and easy and effortless as a patient. No pain or discomfort, in and out of the operating room in 10 minutes! Thanks IQ!
K.T.
