Are you tired of fumbling for your glasses first thing in the morning? Do contact lenses leave your eyes feeling dry and irritated by the end of the day?

You might be a good candidate for laser vision correction. You’ve likely heard of LASIK, but SMILE is another advanced option worth exploring that can often be better than LASIK for certain patients. Keep reading to learn more about SMILE and why it could be the vision correction procedure for you.

What is SMILE Laser Vision Correction?

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), also called KLex (Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction), is an FDA-approved vision correction procedure that uses a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser to reshape your cornea, correcting nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. Unlike glasses and contacts, which only temporarily address vision problems, SMILE offers a long-term solution by changing the shape of your cornea to allow light to focus properly on your retina, resulting in crystal-clear vision.

Why Choose SMILE Over LASIK?

While LASIK has been the gold standard in vision correction for years, SMILE offers several advantages that make it an excellent alternative:

Less Invasive Procedure

SMILE is a “flapless” procedure. During LASIK, surgeons create a corneal flap that must be repositioned after the procedure.

This flap takes time to heal and can potentially be displaced during contact sports or high-impact activities. SMILE eliminates this concern by requiring only a tiny incision, leaving the majority of your cornea intact.

Faster Recovery

Because SMILE doesn’t require creating a flap, recovery time is remarkably quick. Most patients can return to their normal activities within just one to two days.

After about a week or two, you can even resume higher-impact activities, swimming and contact sports, once cleared by your eye doctor.

Reduced Risk of Dry Eye

SMILE may cause fewer instances of dry eye syndrome compared to LASIK because it interferes with fewer corneal nerves. This is particularly beneficial for patients who already experience dry eye symptoms and have concerns about vision correction procedures worsening their condition.

Ideal for Active Lifestyles

If you lead an active lifestyle or work in physically demanding environments, SMILE provides peace of mind. Without a corneal flap that could become dislodged, you can confidently participate in contact sports and high-impact activities without worrying about potential vision complications.

Is SMILE Right for You?

Good candidates for SMILE typically meet these criteria:

  • You are at least 22 years old
  • You have nearsightedness with or without astigmatism
  • You are not farsighted
  • Your prescription has remained stable for at least one year
  • You are not pregnant or nursing
  • You are in generally good health without autoimmune conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjögren’s syndrome
  • You have healthy eyes free of conditions like cataracts and glaucoma
  • You have realistic expectations about what SMILE can achieve

The only way to know if SMILE is right for you is through a comprehensive evaluation with your ophthalmologist. At Frantz EyeCare, we offer free SMILE screenings to help determine your candidacy.

During your screening, your eye doctor will conduct extensive diagnostic testing to assess your vision needs and eye health and ask you questions about your health history, lifestyle, and vision goals. Based on these results, they’ll recommend the vision correction option best suited to your unique circumstances.

Imagine waking up tomorrow and seeing the world in gorgeous clarity without reaching for your glasses or contacts. That future is possible with SMILE.

Find out if SMILE could be your key to clear vision when you schedule a consultation at Frantz EyeCare in Fort Myers, FL, today!