SMILE FAQs

LASIK laser vision correction requires cutting a thin corneal slice (called a corneal flap) on the cornea to correct vision, so the incision is relatively large. SMILE Smile Vision Correction is a brand-new laser vision correction technology that only requires a small incision of 2-4 mm without opening the corneal flap, so the incision area is reduced by nearly 80%. Postoperative eye dryness and chances of infection are reduced, recovery time is also faster, and there is no problem of corneal flap displacement.

But there is a misunderstanding in the market. Many people think that SMILE is a new technology and must be better than LASIK. In fact, you need to choose the appropriate surgical method according to your personal situation. For example, if you have farsightedness or myopia is more than 1000 degrees, SMILE vision correction is not suitable.

• Ocular development not yet complete
• Refraction not yet stable
• Cornea too thin/Keratoconus (requires corneal collagen cross-linking)
• Too high the refractive errors
• Hyperopia (Long-sightedness)
• Known eye disease (e.g. cataract, glaucoma)
• Infection of the eye
• Corneal scarring or other corneal disease
• Severe Dry Eye/ severe lack of tear production
• Herpes patient
• Immune system diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus)
• Long-term use of steroids
• During pregnancy/lactation

It is recommended to treat dry eye syndrome first and seek consultation and treatment from an ophthalmologist if necessary. You are also welcome to visit the EC Dry Eye Center for consultation. We provide analysis and treatment of mild to severe dry eye. We combine the latest diagnostic technology to find the root cause of dry eye, and are also the first to use the latest and most modern treatment methods.

Before surgery, you need to undergo a comprehensive eye examination, including power test, corneal thickness and curvature test, etc., in order to use accurate data to formulate an appropriate vision correction plan. Before the first eye examination, the client needs to stop wearing contact lenses.

• Soft contact lenses (excluding astigmatism): stop wearing for at least one week
• Soft contact lenses (including astigmatism): stop wearing for at least two weeks
• Rigid contact lenses: stop wearing for at least one month
• Vision-correcting contact lenses: stop wearing for at least three months

The first examination and vision correction surgery can be performed on the same day at the earliest.

There will be local anesthesia in the eye before the vision correction surgery, so the client will not feel much. And the vision correction process is completed within 10 minutes.

Presbyopia may occur because usually after the age of 40, the small muscles that hold the lens begin to degenerate, causing near vision to become blurry. SMILE vision correction can also solve the problem of presbyopia. For more details, please consult an ophthalmologist at EC EYE or attend a free SMILE vision correction seminar.

The Mono Vision solution can solve the problem of presbyopia. One eye is responsible for distance vision and the other eye is responsible for near vision. For example: one eye is corrected to close to zero degrees, while the other eye is left with 100-200 degrees of myopia.

Many people think that after vision correction, it is considered successful only when the eye diopter changes to zero. This is a misconception. The standard for successful rate of vision correction is within +/- 75 degrees. Now 90% of people are within +/-50 degrees, which will not affect their lives. If the degree exceeds a certain level and the patient feels that it affects their life, enhancement surgery can be performed.

Yes, SMILE only changes the curvature of the cornea and will not affect other eye tissues.

Yes, only additional corneal collagen cross-linking is required. This is suitable for patients whose corneas are too thin or degree too deep, and who are suspected to be at risk of potential cone cornea. The ophthalmologist will evaluate the client before surgery to determine whether additional corneal collagen cross-linking surgery is needed. Corneal collagen cross-linking involves applying riboflavin (a vitamin) eye solution to the patient's eyes, and then irradiating the eyes with ultraviolet light for 45 seconds to 1 minute to achieve corneal cross-linking and strengthen the cornea.