SMILE, also known as ZEISS SMILE, stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.
Only performed at select, premier laser eye surgery centers across the United States, SMILE is the most advanced 3rd generation laser vision correction. In other words, it is the world’s safest and most precise laser vision correction technique and technology.
Without ablation, without a flap, the SMILE treatment is a single-step procedure to improve nearsightedness and astigmatism. It is not only as effective and predictable as earlier forms of laser surgery, but also provides safety and stability that is superior to them.
SMILE uses a precise laser to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism.
This no-flap procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye, and is performed in three simple steps.
It takes only about 10 seconds of laser time on each eye to create the lenticule, a thin contact lens-shaped layer of tissue, just beneath the surface of the eye.
The lenticule is then removed from a tiny 3.5mm incision created by the laser, with minimal disruption to the cornea.
Removal of the lenticule changes the way light focuses onto the eye, allowing the patient to see clearly again. The incision heals on its own in a few days.
Since its FDA approval in 2016, SMILE laser eye surgery has been an excellent option for patients with nearsightedness, astigmatism, and Contact Lens Intolerance. To date, 8 million ZEISS SMILE procedures have been performed worldwide. Take a look at the graph that shows how fast ZEISS SMILE is gaining popularity!
Performed with the ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser, an advanced technology that ensures excellent predictability and ease of recovery, SMILE is the only bladeless and flapless option to correct your vision.
SMILE corrects the refractive error through the removal of the lenticule from the cornea – a thin contact lens-shaped layer of tissue, just beneath the surface of the eye. It is a one-step, one laser procedure, while LASIK is a two-step, two laser procedure.
The 3.5 mm incision made on the cornea is 80% smaller than the flap cut made during conventional LASIK. This makes the cornea biomechanically stronger after SMILE as compared to other forms of laser vision correction. It also reduces the common dry eye condition that may occur with PRK/LASEK and LASIK procedures. In effect, it combines the advantages of older laser vision correction options and reduces or eliminates their shortcomings and side effects.
There is no noise, no pressure, no burning smell during the process. This provides added comfort and convenience for the patient. It is an advancement in technology millions have been waiting for over the last several decades. In FDA studies, 90% of patients who received SMILE had 20/20 vision or better.
“Having a minimally invasive SMILE treatment at our center that prevents or minimizes dry eye postoperatively is a game-changer. Now, most patients can return to normalcy much faster without lingering dry eye issues and frequent use of lubricating eye drops.”
– Dr. Niksarli
Read Our Blog: Dr. Niksarli Answers Your Questions About SMILE
If you are nearsighted, with or without astigmatism, and qualify for LASIK, you will qualify for SMILE. Certain subset of patients who do not qualify for LASIK due to low corneal thickness, will also qualify for SMILE. Many patients who are told PRK as their only option elsewhere, are also pleased to find out that they can have SMILE and recover their vision quicker and easier.
SMILE is a great option for those with:
To be a SMILE candidate, you must meet the following:
Take our LASIK Self-Test to learn more about your laser vision correction candidacy.
At Manhattan LASIK Center, we started performing SMILE back in 2017, and were the first center in the East Coast to perform the flapless vision correction technique. To date, we have performed more than 12,000 SMILE procedures at Manhattan Lasik Center, and remain the leader in the Nation with the quantity and quality of SMILE LASIK cases performed annually which makes us the most experienced SMILE Center in the Nation.
With 4 ZEISS Visumax SMILE lasers in the NY tri-state area, Manhattan Lasik Center is the Nation’s clear leader in SMILE LASIK and has the most experienced surgical team to go along with that. Our surgeons Dr Niksarli and Dr Buchsbaum, with more than 12,000 SMILE cases under their belt, as the most experienced team, are at ease with this most advanced technology and technique, and enjoy offering its significant benefits over LASIK to their valuable patients 6 days of the week.
At Manhattan LASIK Center, SMILE LASIK has become by far the most popular method to correct one’s vision nowadays, and at Manhattan LASIK Center leads the nation in the number of SMILE procedures and successful outcomes.
Schedule a FREE Virtual Consultation to speak with our experienced team of consultants and learn more about your SMILE at At Manhattan LASIK Center.
The atmosphere was very relaxing and comforting. The staff is incredible and they are attentive of you which I found great. The place was super clean and everyone was very professional as soon as I walked in!
While 2020 Vision was a bust, I’m ecstatic to announce that I started 2021 with a clear focus. The gift of sight is truly remarkable, and I have that now thanks to the SMILE LASIK procedure I had done at the Nation’s best LASIK center, Manhattan LASIK Center. It was a seamless, painless and quick procedure. Nothing can compare to the feeling I had the next morning waking up and being able to see the NYC skyscrapers from my bed!
I am very pleased with the service and the staff were really nice. I have not seen this good in years. The doctors are extremely experienced and professional. It was one of the best decisions I made. High recommended!
…I had SMILE, only within hours of the operation! My vision is now amazing. I am truly thankful to Manhattan LASIK Center for changing my life.
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