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SMILE eye surgery
Small incision, no flap.
SMILE is a laser procedure for nearsightedness. Instead of lifting a flap, the surgeon removes a tiny disc of tissue from inside the cornea through a small opening.
SMILE stands for small incision lenticule extraction.
A laser shapes a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue inside the cornea. The surgeon slides it out through a small opening, which changes the curve of the cornea and how light focuses.
What to know about SMILE.
Treats nearsightedness
Approved for myopia, with or without astigmatism.
No flap
There is no hinged flap to heal or protect.
One laser
Only a femtosecond laser is used, not an excimer laser.
Quick laser step
ZEISS reports the laser step takes under 10 seconds.
U.S. approval
The FDA approved the newest SMILE laser in 2024.
Screening first
Stable vision and healthy corneas still matter.
Same goal as LASIK.
Both reshape the cornea to reduce your need for glasses. Your surgeon can explain which suits your eyes.
Dry eye still matters.
As with other laser procedures, treating dry eye before surgery and watching for it afterward helps comfort.
Who it fits
Made for nearsighted eyes.
The U.S. approval covers nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. If you are farsighted, ask which options fit you.
Not offered everywhere.
SMILE needs a specific laser, so not every surgery center offers it. Your eye doctor can help you find one that does.
Questions to ask about SMILE.
Am I a candidate?
Ask how your prescription fits the approval.
What is recovery like?
Ask what to expect in the first week.
Why SMILE for me?
Ask why it suits you better than LASIK or PRK.
After SMILE.
Your eye doctor stays involved.
Your optometrist can check whether your vision is stable before you go and follow up on healing afterward.
Keep exploring.
Fast answers.
Is SMILE FDA approved?
Yes. ZEISS announced FDA approval of its VISUMAX 800 laser with SMILE pro software in January 2024.
Can SMILE fix farsightedness?
The 2024 U.S. approval covers nearsightedness with or without astigmatism.
Is SMILE better than LASIK?
Neither is best for everyone. Your surgeon compares them for your eyes.
How many people have had it?
ZEISS reports more than 8 million eyes treated with SMILE worldwide.
Talk to an eye doctor about SMILE.
Find an eye doctor near you with the Vision Rescue doctor locator.
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Sources and notes
- ZEISS: FDA approves VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro, 2024
- FDA: When is LASIK not for me?
- Exam-room and showroom photography are owned Eye Care Advisors assets approved for use by Vision Rescue.
- Full source list: Vision Rescue sources
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can recommend what is right for your eyes.
