Laser surgery techniques for refractive vision correction were well established, both
scientifically and clinically, by the mid-80s.
Laser surgery techniques for refractive vision correction were well established, both scientifically and clinically, by the mid-80s. The basic principle behind all the methods is using a laser to model the outer corneal layer so that the focal point of the bundled incidental light is on the surface of the retina itself and not in front of or behind it.
The original treatment methods, PRK and LASEK, manually removed the outer protective layer (epithelium) of the cornea before the laser surgery. The consequences often included postoperative pain and the very slow recovery of visual acuity. As a consequence, laser surgery techniques that involved preparing a corneal flap (LASIK and Femto-LASIK) were then developed. Smile eye surgery is an advanced laser treatment that has many benefits.
Here, a mechanical cutting tool (microkeratome) or a femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap of the cornea which is just 120 micrometers thick. Almost a complete circle (270°) is cut in the upper layers of the cornea. The flap is then folded back like the cover of a book. Subsequently, the exposed corneal tissue is then ablated using an excimer laser in a separate stage of treatment. The greater the level of vision defect, the more tissue needs to be removed. In the final stage of treatment, the corneal flap is then folded back into its original position.
It then adheres in the original place over the coming weeks and months. The disadvantage is that the flap can shift or even tear off (flap displacement) as the result of rubbing or other physical contacts after the operation.
Smile laser surgery enhances the advantage over the corneal layers. The eye sightedness is corrected without a single blade cut of corneal layers. This makes the patient feel painless during laser surgery. SMILE laser method makes zero intact on operating the cornea. SMILE is chosen to be the best conventional laser treatment as it gives high precision results. The Eye Foundation attains the best surgery outcome with zero tolerance through SMILE
LENTICULE CREATION
LENTICULE REMOVAL
IMPAIRMENT IS CORRECTED
With Smile laser, Surgeons get the maximum satisfaction in their surgery activities. Patients derive the best benefits when compared to other laser treatments as the surgery takes a very short time. Also, patients have a fast recovery post-surgery. Smile has the highest vision defect correction. Below mentioned are the benefits that are derived using SMILE.
The specially developed laser system used for the Smile procedure is the Carl Zeiss VisuMax® femtosecond laser. In Femto-LASIK surgery it has already impressed patients and physicians alike with its sophisticated technology, its precision and its reliability. Smile now permits accuracy down to nearest micrometer precision in the preparation of the lenticule within the intact cornea.
VisuMax Femtosecond Laser enables to carry out the vision defect correction at a higher precision with zero impact on the corneal tissues. Unnecessary compression on the tissue and temporary loss of vision is eliminated when the specially designed contact glass is made to match the cornea
Femtosecond laser treatment enhances the patients to feel relaxation and comfort during the surgery.
An ergonomically designed and functionally versatile patient supporting system provides extra comfort and relaxation during treatment. The position of the patient is continuously monitored during the SMILE eye surgery procedure and automatically adjusted and corrected, if necessary.
SMILE Beyond LASIK refers to the advanced, minimally invasive small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) technique. It uses a femtosecond laser to create and remove a lenticule via a tiny keyhole incision, reshaping the cornea without creating a flap, offering enhanced precision and safety over LASIK.
Unlike LASIK, which creates a large corneal flap and uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, SMILE Beyond LASIK avoids any flap. Instead, it uses a small keyhole incision, reducing flap-related risks, preserving corneal biomechanics, and resulting in potentially better ocular surface stability.
Using a femtosecond laser, SMILE Beyond LASIK creates a lenticule, a small contact‑lens–shaped piece of corneal tissue inside the intact cornea. That lenticule is then extracted through a micro-incision, reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism.
Yes. SMILE Beyond LASIK is highly minimally invasive; it avoids flap creation and uses a tiny 2–4 mm incision ("keyhole"), preserving corneal structure, reducing nerve disruption, and lowering infection and dry‑eye risks.
SMILE Beyond LASIK employs the ZEISS VisuMax® series femtosecond laser, especially the latest VisuMax 800 model which delivers highly precise, fast pulses to create the lenticule and keyhole incision with excellent accuracy.
The incision in SMILE Beyond LASIK typically ranges from 2 to 4 mm a fraction of the large 20 mm flap used in LASIK. This micro-incision enables extraction of the lenticule while preserving corneal integrity.
Generally, yes. SMILE Beyond LASIK is described as gentle and comfortable, with minimal discomfort during the procedure and recovery. The flapless approach and precise laser pulses contribute to a smoother, less painful experience.
The actual laser portion of the SMILE Beyond LASIK procedure is very fast, often completed within 8 –10 seconds per eye using the VisuMax 800. Complete procedures generally span just a few minutes per eye.
Recovery is rapid; many patients experience significant visual improvement within a day or two. The minimally invasive technique promotes swift healing, with low risk of complications and a return to normal life typically in just a few days.
Most patients can resume routine activities including work, screen use, and even light exercise within one to two days post-procedure. Full healing and stability typically follow in the days afterward thanks to the procedure’s gentle nature.
| S.No | Centers | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Coimbatore | Available |
| 2 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Pollachi | Available |
| 3 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Erode | Available |
| 4 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Salem | Available |
| 5 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Mettupalayam | Available |
| 6 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Madurai | Available |
| 7 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Tirupur | Available |
| 8 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Tirunelveli | Available |
| 9 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Ooty | Available |
| 10 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Bangalore | Available |
| 11 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Bellandur | Available |
| 12 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Kochi | Available |
| 13 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Malappuram | Available |
| 14 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Trichy | Available |
| 15 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Palakkad | Available |
| 16 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Whitefield | Available |
| 17 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Tuticorin | Available |
| 18 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Coonoor | Available |
| 19 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in kozhikode | Available |
| 20 | SMILE Beyond Lasik in Vellore | Available |
