SMILE is the latest advance in refractive eye surgery, designed to treat a multitude of refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. The procedure is known to be ‘gentle’ and involves using a femtosecond laser to create a corneal lenticule which is extracted whole through a small incision without the use of an excimer laser. It is reported to achieve effects similar to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with excellent post-operative outcomes.

LASIK is the most common type of refractive eye surgery. It uses a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems. During the procedure, a thin flap is created on the cornea, and a laser is used to remove some of the underlying corneal tissue to change its shape. The flap is then repositioned, and the cornea heals on its own.