Introduction
SMILE surgery is a refractive procedure that gained popularity in recent years because of its benefits over traditional LASIK surgery. The main goal of the surgery is to correct nearsightedness or myopia by reshaping the cornea using a laser. The vision mainly depends on the lens and cornea that focuses the real image onto the retina. Alteration in the shape of the cornea causes the image to be unfocused on the retina leading to blurry vision. SMILE surgery was approved in 2016 for myopia and in 2018 for astigmatism. They both are refractive errors. The little invasive procedure provides a quick recovery time and less discomfort. It is marked as a safe and effective option for an individual to improve their vision. There is no need to use glasses or contact lenses. The article discusses SMILE surgery, its causes, procedure, symptoms, risks, and benefits.
What Is SMILE Eye Surgery?
SMILE eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery used to treat myopia or nearsightedness. The full form of SMILE is Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. The surgical procedure creates a small precise incision in the cornea by using a femtosecond laser. It allows the surgeon to remove a small portion of the tissue in the form of a lenticule. The removal of the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea and corrects the patient's vision.
What Is the Procedure of SMILE Eye Surgery?
SMILE eye surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to reshape the cornea. The procedure takes around 30 minutes to complete. The steps for SMILE eye surgery are as follows:
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Preparation: The surgeon may give numbing eye drops to the patient before the procedure to reduce the pain and discomfort during surgery. The doctor may place an eyelid holder to keep the eye open and prevent blinking.
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Incision: The surgeon creates a small precise incision by using a femtosecond laser in the cornea. The incision is usually four millimeters long. The incision is usually smaller than the incision used in traditional LASIK eye surgery.
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Lenticule Removal: After the incision is made, the surgeon removes a small and disc-shaped piece of corneal tissue known as a lenticule by using a laser. The laser removes the tissue and reshapes the cornea. It corrects the patient's vision.
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Closing the Incision: After the lenticule removal, the surgeon may gently press on the cornea to close the incision. No stitches or bandages are required because the incision is so small.
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Post-operative Care: After the procedure, the surgeon may give eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. The doctor may advise the patient to avoid rubbing their eyes and exposing the eyes to water for several days after surgery.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From SMILE Eye Surgery?
The recovery time for SMILE eye surgery varies from person to person. The condition can also vary depending on the anesthesia used, the extent of surgery, and the overall health of the patient. Most people experience mild to moderate swelling and discomfort for a few days after the surgical procedure. The initial recovery period lasts for seven to ten days. During the initial period, the patient may experience swelling, discomfort, and redness around the eyes. Patients are advised to take a few days off from work and to take rest for recovery.
After seven days of surgery, the swelling and discomfort begin to subside. The doctor may advise avoiding strenuous exercise and the patient can resume all other activities. It may take several weeks to months for the eyes to heal. The patient needs to follow post-operative instructions to ensure the possible outcomes and recovery.
What Is the Difference Between SMILE Eye Surgery and LASIK Surgery?
SMILE (Small incision lenticule extraction) and LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) are the two different refractive eye surgeries used to treat vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The main difference between the two eye procedures is the way of reshaping the cornea to improve vision. In LASIK surgery, a laser is used to reshape the cornea by creating a thin flap in the cornea. The flap is then repositioned.
In SMILE surgery, a laser is used to create a small incision on the cornea and through an incision, a small piece of tissue is removed to reshape the cornea. No flap is created in SMILE surgery. It has a shorter recovery time than LASIK surgery. LASIK surgery is more widely used and has a successful result.
What Are the Advantages of SMILE Eye Surgery?
Some advantages of SMILE eye surgery are as follows:
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Minimally Invasive: SMILE eye surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that requires a small incision. The risk of complications is lower and recovery time is faster.
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Quick Procedure: The procedure takes thirty minutes to complete the surgery. A person can do normal activities soon after the surgery.
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No Flap Creation: Unlike LASIK surgery, SMILE eye surgery does not require corneal flap creation. There is less risk of complications such as flap-related dry eye.
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Results: SMILE eye surgery corrects the vision with accurate, predictable, and reliable results.
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Fast Recovery Time: The recovery time is faster than other types of laser eye surgery. A patient may return to normal activities soon after surgery.
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Lower the Risk of Dry Eye: The risk of dryness is lower than LASIK surgery because it does not involve the use of a corneal flap.
What Are the Risks of a SMILE Eye Surgery?
SMILE eye surgery is a safe and effective procedure for correcting vision. There are some potential risks of SMILE eye surgery are as follows:
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Incomplete Vision Correction: In some cases, surgery may not correct vision. A patient still requires glasses or contact lenses after surgery.
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Overcorrection or Under Correction: Surgery may overcorrect or undercorrect the vision.
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Dry Eye: The risk of developing dry eye is more in the case of SMILE eye surgery. It can lead to redness, discomfort, or blurred vision.
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Infection: There is a risk of infection after the surgery.
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Vision Loss: SMILE eye surgery may lead to vision loss due to severe infection.
Conclusion
SMILE eye surgery is a minimally invasive accurate procedure that corrects refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The advantages include fewer complications, faster recovery time, and lower risk of dry eye. Though the procedure is safe and effective, it consists of some complications such as dry eye, infection, vision loss, overcorrection, and under-correction. Proper care and follow-up can achieve excellent visual outcomes and provide a better quality of life.
