SMILE laser vision correction.
The flapless alternative to LASIK. SMILE corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism through a tiny opening, with no corneal flap and one of the fastest recoveries in refractive surgery.
- No corneal flap, small-incision technique
- Often gentler on dry eyes than LASIK
- Fast return to daily activity
- 0% financing for 24 months through CareCredit
SMILE, short for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, corrects your vision by reshaping the cornea from the inside, without cutting a flap.
A single laser forms a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue inside the cornea. The surgeon removes it through an opening just a few millimeters wide. Taking that tissue out changes the shape of the cornea, which is what corrects your nearsightedness and astigmatism. The entire procedure is done with one laser, in minutes.
There is no flap and the surface of the eye is barely disturbed, so SMILE tends to be gentler on the eye's surface, which is part of why recovery is quick and why it often suits patients who worry about dry eye.
SMILE is a strong fit for active, nearsighted patients, especially those prone to dry eye.
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are 22 or older with a stable prescription
- Are nearsighted, with or without astigmatism
- Play contact sports or have an active lifestyle
- Have dry eyes and want a gentler surface option
- Have healthy corneas and no active eye disease
- Want to depend less on glasses and contacts
SMILE currently treats nearsightedness and astigmatism. If you are farsighted, LASIK or PRK may be the better route. Our doctors confirm the fit at your consultation.
SMILE and LASIK.
LASIK creates a hinged flap in the cornea, lifts it, reshapes the tissue underneath with a laser, then lays the flap back down. SMILE skips the flap entirely: the correction is made inside the cornea and removed through a small opening. Less of the corneal surface is disturbed.
In practice, LASIK treats a wider range of prescriptions, including farsightedness, and can be easier to fine-tune later. SMILE offers a flap-free option with a quick, comfortable recovery that many active and dry-eye patients prefer. Our doctors recommend the one that fits your eyes.
One laser, a few minutes.
Consultation & mapping
A full exam maps your corneas and confirms your prescription is in the range SMILE treats. This is where the plan is set and your questions get answered.
The procedure
Numbing drops, then a single laser forms and the surgeon removes the tissue through a small opening. It takes only minutes per eye, and you are awake and comfortable.
Recovery
Vision clears quickly, and most patients return to work the next day. There is no flap to protect, so normal activity resumes fast.
Back to your day, fast
SMILE works through a tiny opening with no flap to protect, so most patients are back to normal activity the next day. It is a strong fit for active lifestyles and for eyes that tend toward dryness.
See if you are a candidate
SMILE is an elective procedure, so it is generally not covered by insurance. We confirm your price at the consultation.
Qualified patients can finance SMILE at 0% for 24 months through CareCredit, and HSA or FSA funds can be applied. Over time, many patients find laser correction costs less than years of glasses, contacts, and replacements.
Other ways to correct your vision.
One Central Florida surgical center.
Consultations and exams for SMILE are available at all three of our offices, with the procedure performed at Lake Mary.
Hear it from our patients
A Filutowski Eye Institute SMILE patient, in their own words.
Questions, answered.
How is SMILE different from LASIK?
SMILE creates no corneal flap. The correction is made inside the cornea and removed through a small opening, so less of the eye's surface is disturbed. LASIK lifts a flap to reshape the cornea underneath.
What does SMILE treat?
SMILE corrects nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. If you are farsighted, LASIK or PRK is usually the better option.
Is SMILE good for dry eyes?
Often, yes. Because the surface of the eye is barely disturbed and there is no flap, many patients experience less dryness than they might with LASIK.
How long is recovery?
Recovery is quick. Most patients return to work the next day, and because there is no flap, normal activity resumes fast.
Does SMILE hurt?
No. Numbing drops are used, so the procedure is not painful. You may feel light pressure for a few seconds.
Is SMILE permanent?
Yes. SMILE reshapes the cornea itself, so the correction is permanent, though age-related changes can still develop later as they would for anyone.
Curious whether SMILE fits your eyes?
Start with the 60-second candidacy check, or call to book a consultation at the location nearest you.