SMILE at HEC — small-incision lenticule extraction, no corneal flap
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the newest of the routine refractive procedures. Instead of creating a corneal flap, the femtosecond laser shapes a lenticule of tissue inside the cornea, which is then removed through a 2-4 mm incision. No flap means faster restoration of corneal nerve function — which translates to less dry eye in the months after surgery.
We perform SMILE on the Zeiss VisuMax 800 platform. Same-day daycase, same choreography as our LASIK list. You arrive at 08:30 and you are discharged before lunch.
What it is
The femtosecond laser creates a lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue (the lenticule) at a precise depth inside the cornea. A second pass cuts a small entry incision (2-4 mm, not a full flap). The surgeon extracts the lenticule through that incision using a manual dissector. The cornea is now thinner and reshaped to the corrected curvature.
Laser-time per eye is about 20 minutes — slightly longer than LASIK, but the corneal nerve damage is significantly less because no large flap is created.
When SMILE is the right answer
| Indication | LASIK | SMILE |
|---|---|---|
| Stable myopia, low astigmatism | Both fit | Both fit |
| Dry-eye history | Less ideal | Preferred |
| Active sport or trauma risk | Flap-related risk | No flap to displace |
| High astigmatism (>3 D) | Preferred | Limited approval range |
| Hyperopia | Approved | Not approved |
| Re-treatment friendliness | Easier | Harder |
If your dry-eye history is significant or you do contact sport, SMILE is usually our recommendation. If you have hyperopia or high astigmatism, LASIK is.
Same-day choreography
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Pre-op assessment, drops |
| 09:00 | Right eye — 20 minutes |
| 09:25 | Left eye — 20 minutes |
| 09:50 | Recovery lounge |
| 12:30 | Discharge with medication |
| +24 h | First post-op video check |
Recovery
Day 0–1 — Mild irritation, tearing. Vision usable but blurry. Shields overnight.
Day 2–7 — Vision sharpens, drops continue. Most patients return to screen work by day 2.
Week 2–4 — Final refraction settles slightly slower than LASIK (no large flap means slower corneal nerve regeneration; ironic, because that is also why dry eye is less).
Month 3 — Final outcome video assessment.
Month 12 — Closing review.
What it is not
SMILE does not currently treat hyperopia routinely. It does not treat very high astigmatism. It does not correct presbyopia.
The package
Both eyes, daycase suite, four-week drop schedule, optional hotel night with transfers, translator, twelve months of video follow-up. One number. The refractive specialist who will operate signs your plan before payment.
