Here’s a Reason to SMILE
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Wang Vision Institute was the first center in the state to perform SMILE. If you don’t qualify for LASIK, you may be a candidate for SMILE.
What is SMILE?
Similar to LASIK, SMILE is a bladeless procedure that alters the shape of the cornea to produce better vision. SMILE is less invasive than LASIK because it requires a smaller incision and doesn’t require a flap.
Who is a candidate for SMILE?
Patients who are most likely to benefit from SMILE:
- Are 21 years or older
- Have myopia (or nearsightedness) between -1.00 to -10.00 diopters
- Have mild to moderate astigmatism up to 3.00 diopters
- Are in good overall health
- Possess healthy corneas
- Have realistic expectations of the outcome of the procedure
To determine candidacy, patients will meet with one of Wang Vision’s eye surgeons for a comprehensive eye exam.
What to expect during the SMILE procedure?
Before surgery, the ophthalmologist will take measurements of your eye to ensure accurate results are achieved. Your eye will be numbed before a laser will carve a disc-shaped section of the cornea.
Then a small incision less than 5mm is made into the cornea so the disc may be removed and the cornea reshaped. The entire procedure should take no more than 30 minutes within the Wang Vision Institute office.
How long is recovery?
Following the procedure, you will need someone to take you home. Wang Vision recommends that you rest or sleep the day of your procedure once it is over.
Eye drops will be prescribed to help with recovery, and your sight may be blurry for a few days after the SMILE procedure. You should be able to return to daily activities 1 to 2 days after the procedure.
Additionally, you will need to return to the office for follow-up appointments to monitor vision progress.
SMILE surgery comes with less recovery time and might be a great fit for those that do not qualify for LASIK. To learn more about your vision options, attend our FREE Online Vision Seminar every Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST.
Dr. Ming Wang, Harvard & MIT (MD, magna cum laude); PhD (laser physics), and our other WVI surgeons have performed over 55,000 procedures, including on over 4,000 doctors.