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SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) vs LASIK Eye Surgery
| SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) | LASIK Eye Surgery | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | ophthalmology | ophthalmology |
| Cost (USD range) | $2,000–$4,500 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Average recovery (days) | 3 | 3 |
| Typical sessions | 1 | 1 |
| Complication rate | 1.50% | 1.00% |
| Revision rate | 4.00% | 5.00% |
| Anaesthesia | local | local |
| Documented risks | 4 entries | 5 entries |
| Registry-listed clinics | 2 clinics | 2 clinics |
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
SMILE is a refractive laser eye procedure in which a femtosecond laser creates a small lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue (a lenticule) within the intact cornea, which is then extracted through a small peripheral incision typically 2-4mm wide. Because no corneal flap is created, SMILE preserves more of the cornea's anterior biomechanical strength than LASIK. SMILE is approved for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism; hyperopic SMILE has been approved in some markets more recently.
View SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) pageLASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser to correct refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. A thin corneal flap is created, the underlying tissue is reshaped, and the flap is repositioned. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes per eye with rapid visual recovery.
View LASIK Eye Surgery page