Why SMILE Could Be the Vision Correction Procedure You’ve Always Wanted
Have you ever thought about having a vision correction procedure to achieve clearer eyesight? Do you want to enjoy high-definition vision without the need for glasses and contacts?
You may be a good candidate for SMILE. SMILE can improve your vision and give you more freedom from visual aids.
This can enhance all aspects of your life, from completing daily tasks to doing your favorite hobbies and sports. Keep reading to learn more about why SMILE could be the vision correction procedure you’ve always wanted.
What is SMILE?
SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. The procedure removes a small amount of your cornea, which is the clear, frontmost part of your eye, to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness and astigmatism.
Refractive errors are often caused by irregularities in the shape of your cornea. By creating a lenticule, or a disc-shaped piece of the cornea, and removing it, SMILE can change the shape of your cornea to correct your vision.
The way SMILE works makes it as minimally invasive as possible. First, the lenticule is made without penetrating through the cornea at all by using a special kind of laser called a femtosecond laser.
Once the lenticule is created, a very small incision is made in the cornea. The lenticule is then pulled through the small incision, correcting your refractive errors.
There’s no need for stitches as the incision is so tiny it easily heals on its own. Since SMILE is an outpatient procedure, you can have someone drive you home right after to rest and begin recovery.
Simple Procedure and Easy Recovery
The SMILE procedure is quite fast, only taking a few minutes per eye. Some patients notice visual improvements immediately after the procedure, while others may take longer.
Recovery from SMILE is also relatively easy. Any discomfort after the procedure usually only lasts a day or two, and you can apply prescription eye drops to help reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
Aside from having to take some precautions to protect their eyes, most patients are able to get back to their normal activities quickly. At your follow-up appointment the day after the procedure, your eye doctor will provide you with more specific directions about when it’s safe to resume normal activities like driving and working.
Most patients are cleared during this appointment, meaning you can start enjoying your new, crystal-clear vision after just one to two days!
SMILE Vs LASIK
LASIK and SMILE are procedures that use lasers to correct refractive errors. Both procedures have similar long-term results, with many patients achieving visual freedom from glasses and contacts for decades.
However, LASIK works a little differently than SMILE. In order to access the inside of the cornea and change its shape, a flap is made on the top of the cornea.
This requires LASIK patients to have thick enough corneas to undergo the procedure. Since SMILE does not involve the creation of the flap, it can often be a good alternative if you’ve been disqualified from LASIK due to thin corneas.
It can also be a better choice for patients with dry eye syndrome, as the lack of a corneal flap reduces your risk of increased dry eye symptoms. However, SMILE is not a good choice for patients who are farsighted.
While LASIK is approved to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, SMILE can only correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. If you are farsighted and not a good candidate for LASIK or SMILE, you may be suited for PRK.
What are the Results of SMILE?
SMILE patients tend to achieve outstanding results after their procedure. Like LASIK patients, the vast majority of SMILE patients end up with 20/20 vision or better after fully healing from the procedure.
In addition to being able to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses, most patients can also see a lot better after having SMILE than they ever could before, even when using visual aids. This is because SMILE can correct vision beyond your prescription, giving you clearer vision than ever.
Think about how much easier it would be to complete your daily activities without worrying about your glasses or contact lenses! Long gone will be the days of scrambling for your glasses in the morning or remembering to order more contacts.
You can also enjoy vivid, high-definition vision that enhances all of life’s best moments, whether you’re playing a pickup game of basketball with your friends, admiring the view at the end of a long hike, or sightseeing in an international city. With SMILE, the vision of your dreams could be within reach!
Am I a Good Candidate for SMILE?
In order to be a good SMILE candidate, you need to be over 18, in good health, and have had a stable prescription for at least a year. You also should be nearsighted and/or have astigmatism, as SMILE cannot correct farsightedness.
If you meet these base requirements, you still need a consultation with your eye doctor at Mueller Vision to ensure you qualify for SMILE surgery. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle, vision goals, health history, any medications you may take, and your expectations for the procedure to determine whether SMILE is right for you.
Do you want to learn more about how SMILE can improve your vision and life? Schedule an appointment at Mueller Vision in Fort Worth, TX, today!
