For patients who want laser vision correction without creating a corneal flap, SMILE offers another way to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Short for small incision lenticule extraction, SMILE reshapes the cornea through a small incision and is primarily used to correct nearsightedness, including nearsightedness with astigmatism.
Steven B. Siepser, M.D., F.A.C.S., brings decades of refractive surgery experience to patients considering vision correction at Siepser Eyecare in Wayne, PA. Known for treating complex refractive cases, including high prescriptions and challenging corneal characteristics, Dr. Siepser evaluates the structure and health of each eye to determine whether SMILE or another vision correction procedure is the better fit.
What Is SMILE?
SMILE is a laser vision correction procedure that changes the shape of the cornea so light can focus more accurately on the retina.
During treatment, a femtosecond laser creates a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue called a lenticule within the cornea. The surgeon removes this tissue through a small opening in the cornea. Removing the lenticule changes the corneal shape and corrects the refractive error. Unlike LASIK, the procedure does not require creation of a larger corneal flap.
SMILE is FDA-approved for correcting myopia with or without certain amounts of astigmatism in appropriately selected adults.
Who May Be a Good Candidate for SMILE?
Not everyone who wants freedom from glasses or contacts will be suited to the same procedure. A detailed eye examination and corneal measurements are needed before determining whether SMILE is appropriate.
Factors that may be considered include:
- Age and prescription stability
- Degree of nearsightedness and astigmatism
- Corneal shape and thickness
- Overall eye health
- Ocular surface and tear film health
- Previous eye conditions or procedures
- Lifestyle and visual needs
Current FDA labeling for the VisuMax SMILE procedure includes patients age 22 or older with a stable prescription and nearsightedness within specified treatment ranges.
How Does SMILE Compare With LASIK and PRK?
SMILE, LASIK, and PRK all aim to improve how the cornea focuses light, but they take different approaches.
LASIK creates a corneal flap, then reshapes the underlying tissue with a laser. PRK removes the cornea’s outer surface layer before laser treatment. SMILE instead creates a small lenticule within the cornea and removes it through a small incision.
This flap-free approach can be appealing to certain patients, but no single procedure is best for everyone. Prescription, corneal anatomy, dry eye, healing considerations, and other factors all influence which technique is most appropriate.
What Is Recovery Like After SMILE?
Vision commonly begins improving soon after SMILE, although clarity may fluctuate while the eyes heal. Patients may experience temporary dryness, light sensitivity, glare, or mild irritation during early recovery.
Eye drops and temporary activity restrictions may be recommended, and follow-up appointments allow providers to monitor healing and visual progress. Patients should also avoid rubbing their eyes while the cornea heals.
Ocular surface health remains an important part of refractive care. If dry eye is present before surgery or develops during recovery, Michele Pendrak Bush, O.D., Siepser Eyecare’s dry eye specialist, can provide targeted evaluation and treatment to help support comfort and visual quality.
Why Choose Siepser Eyecare for SMILE?
Choosing a refractive procedure requires more than matching a prescription to a treatment. Steven B. Siepser, M.D., F.A.C.S., has spent decades performing and advancing laser vision correction and was among the first surgeons in the Philadelphia region to introduce LASIK. Over approximately 40 years, the Siepser Eyecare team has performed well over 35,000 laser eye procedures.
Dr. Siepser is particularly experienced in evaluating patients with refractive challenges that may make treatment selection less straightforward, including high prescriptions, astigmatism, and thin corneas. With multiple vision correction approaches available, recommendations can be based on each eye’s anatomy, health, and visual needs rather than assuming one procedure fits every patient.
Explore SMILE Vision Correction in Wayne, PA
SMILE offers a flap-free approach to laser vision correction for appropriately selected patients with nearsightedness and astigmatism. A detailed evaluation can determine whether SMILE, LASIK, PRK, or another option best fits your eyes and vision goals. Call Siepser Eyecare in Wayne, PA, at (610) 265-2020 to schedule a consultation and explore your options for clearer vision.