LASIK or SMILE? How to Choose the Right Vision Correction Procedure

Laser vision correction is no longer a single procedure that fits everyone. There are now several techniques, each with its own strengths. Choosing the right one depends on the thickness of your cornea, the degree of your refractive error, and the nature of your eye, and the doctor decides after a careful examination.

What is the difference between the main techniques?

• LASIK: a thin layer of the cornea is lifted, then the curvature is corrected with the laser. It is known for a fast recovery and clear vision within hours.
• SMILE: a newer technique done through a small microscopic opening without lifting a layer of the cornea, which preserves the strength of the eye and reduces dryness after surgery.
• Implantable lenses (ICL): the ideal solution for people with a thin cornea or a severe refractive error that the laser cannot safely treat.

How do you know which technique suits you?

This question can only be answered after a full examination that includes measuring corneal thickness, mapping its topography, and assessing your vision. Some cases are suitable for more than one technique, while others have a single, safer option.

Are the results permanent?

In most cases the results of vision correction are permanent, as long as the procedure is done after the vision has stabilized, above the age of eighteen. Even so, natural changes such as age related long sightedness may appear later in life, and they have nothing to do with the success of the procedure itself.