LASIK vs. SMILE: The Differences & Why LASIK is a Better Choice
What if every morning started with clear, effortless vision? No glasses, no contacts, just your world, in focus. For millions of patients, that’s not just a fantasy; it’s a highly attainable reality. With multiple advanced vision correction options available today, you may be wondering which procedure is right for you. When comparing LASIK vs. SMILE, they both use state-of-the-art lasers to reshape the cornea and reduce the patient’s dependence on glasses or contacts. However, there are important distinctions between the two, and when you compare them, one comes out on top in most respects.
Let’s discuss the differences in how each procedure works, the range of conditions they treat, and the recovery experiences. Understanding these will help you see clearly that LASIK is usually the best option for your eyes.
What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a tried-and-true laser vision correction procedure and one of the most widely performed elective surgeries worldwide. Eye Associates of North Florida is the oldest and largest ophthalmic practice in the North Florida area, and was the first to offer LASIK in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas.
We use the IntraLase, blade-free method of LASIK, an advanced version of traditional LASIK. Instead of using a blade, IntraLase uses a femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap. The result is increased safety, precision, and customization, along with better visual outcomes. It’s a more comfortable procedure and offers faster healing time and recovery. Some patients who were not good candidates for traditional LASIK may qualify with IntraLase.
How IntraLase Works to Improve Your Vision
The procedure reshapes the patient’s cornea using a specialized laser. The corneas are the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eyes. They help focus light into the retina, enabling sharp, clear vision.
LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea so that light entering the eye focuses correctly on the patient’s retina. The retina is the light-sensitive nerve tissue at the rear of the eye. LASIK treats three primary refractive errors, conditions that prevent your eye from focusing light properly. They are:
- Nearsightedness (myopia) – Rather than focusing on the retina, light focuses in front of it.
- Farsightedness (hyperopia) – Light focuses behind the retina.
- Astigmatism – Irregularly shaped cornea causes distorted or blurred vision.
Historically, you would use glasses or contact lenses to correct these issues. They compensate for the irregularly shaped cornea, but they don’t actually fix the issue. LASIK fixes the underlying issue, eliminating or reducing the need for a corrective, external lens.
LASIK is a fast, minimally invasive procedure that takes about 10-15 minutes for each eye and involves:
- Numbing the eye with drops so you won’t feel any discomfort.
- Forming a delicate flap in the cornea with advanced laser technology.
- The flap is lifted, and a second, precise laser removes microscopic layers of corneal tissue guided by your individual prescription.
- The corneal flap is laid back in place and adheres naturally, with no need for stitches.
The procedure is quick and painless, clearer vision is noticeable the same day, and most patients return to life as usual within a day or two.
What is SMILE?
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), developed in the early 2000s, is much newer than LASIK, but it’s not necessarily a superior option. Its approval by the FDA in 2016 means that it’s been available in the U.S. for about 10 years, a much shorter track record compared to LASIK’s 30+ years. The two procedures share common elements but also key differences, which we will outline below.
The SMILE procedure reshapes the cornea from within by:
- Using a laser to create a tiny, lens-shaped portion of tissue called a lenticule inside the cornea.
- Then the lenticule is removed through a small incision on the surface of the cornea.
- Removing this tissue reshapes the cornea, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.
SMILE is only available to treat two types of refractive errors: nearsightedness and astigmatism. It’s not an option for those with farsightedness.
Key Differences Between LASIK & SMILE
While the two surgeries have similar functions, there are subtle differences that can significantly affect the patient’s outcome.
- Surgical Technique – LASIK creates a corneal flap, which enables greater access to reshape the cornea with greater precision. SMILE’s approach is limited in versatility.
- Incision Size – LASIK creates a larger incision (20mm) than SMILE (4-5mm), allowing for greater access and customization.
- Recovery Experience – Most patients experience extremely fast recovery with LASIK, often the same day. SMILE also offers a fast recovery, though it can be slightly slower for certain patients.
- Conditions Treated – Both procedures treat nearsightedness. However, SMILE provides limited correction for astigmatism, while LASIK corrects both astigmatism and farsightedness, making it the more versatile option.
Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK vs. SMILE?
Both procedures are indicated for patients over the age of 21 with a stable prescription for nearsightedness. While SMILE can correct mild astigmatism and may be an option for those with dry eye, it’s not an option for treating advanced astigmatism or farsightedness.
LASIK is the best option for patients who have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The only patients for whom LASIK is not an option are those with insufficient corneal thickness, but this is uncommon, and the IntraLase method works well for those with thin corneas and more complex eye shapes.
Start Your Journey to Clearer Vision with Eye Associates of North Florida
LASIK provides unrivaled precision and versatility. This, combined with decades of proven success, continues to make LASIK the most trusted choice for laser vision correction. If you have farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism and desire clearer, glasses-free vision, take the next step. Schedule a personalized LASIK consultation with Eye Associates of North Florida and see how this life-changing procedure can transform your everyday vision.
