SMILE Eye Surgery For Vision Correction - Laser Operation For Eyes

How to prepare for SMILE LASIK?

Once a patient is scheduled to undergo SMILE surgery, the doctor and his/her team will provide instructions for preparations- 

• One of the most important things that a patient will have to do is use eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. Contact lenses, especially hard lenses, can deform the corneal tissues. Thus, before the surgery, it is important that you allow the cornea to regain its normal shape. 
• Start taking a healthy diet to ensure the body’s healing abilities improve. 
• Share your medical history with the doctor so that he/she can determine the potential risks and complications that can arise during or after the surgery. 
• Stop smoking at least a week before the surgery, as smoking can increase the chances of complications. 

On the day of surgery, follow the instructions below- 

• Avoid applying face or eye makeup as the debris from makeup products can enter the eye. 
• Don’t wear any facial jewellery or accessory. 
• Wear comfortable and loose clothes that can be easily removed without rubbing the eyes. 
• Ask someone to drive you after the surgery. 

What to Expect After SMILE Surgery?

Immediately after the surgery, expect to feel slight discomfort in the eyes. The eyes will be watery and red, which is normal. The doctor will prescribe medications and suggest wearing an eye shield or protective glasses to prevent rubbing or poking. The vision will improve within the next few hours after surgery. It is best to sleep a couple of hours after the surgery so when you wake up, the scratchiness and itchiness in the eye will go away. 

In the upcoming days, it will be better to take ample rest and avoid activities that can damage the eyes. Watching television and using digital devices is permitted after 2-3 days. 

Risks & Side Effects of SMILE LASIK

When the doctor suggests SMILE Eye Operation to a patient, he/she also clarifies the risks and benefits of the procedure. Here are some common risks associated with SMILE surgery. 

• Debris Left Behind- The procedure involves separating and extracting mid-corneal tissues. It can lead to incomplete tissue removal, and the residual debris can cause corneal abrasion, adhesions and incisional tears. If detected earlier, the debris can be cleared out using non-invasive methods. In extreme cases, the patient may have to undergo a second surgery for debris removal. 
• Inflammation– It is a normal side effect of surgical procedures which eventually subsides. However, in some cases, the inflammation may be prolonged. 
• Clouded Vision- As SMILE is designed to treat nearsightedness, there are higher chances of hazy vision after the procedure. This can last for up to one month after surgery. 
• Dry Eyes-  One of the most common side effects of laser eye surgeries is dry eyes, and SMILE patients also have this risk. Dry eyes are usually caused when a flap is created, and the nerves get damaged, which makes it difficult for the eye to recognize the need for moisture, hence, limiting tear production. Thus, the chances of dryness due to nerve damage are considerably lower in SMILE. 
• Over or Under Correction- There are chances that the eye power of the patients gets over or undercorrected. This can make the vision worse than before the surgery, making it necessary to perform revision surgery. 
• Corneal Weakening & Tensile Strength Loss– One rare yet serious side effect of SMILE is that patients experience more corneal sensitivity up to 6 months after the surgery. 

Benefits of SMILE LASIK Surgery

Though SMILE LASIK is very different from other types of laser eye surgeries, it has significant benefits. 

• SMILE LASIK can usually be performed for everyone with refractive errors. This treatment is viable even for people who are not a good candidate for LASIK or other types of laser eye surgery. 
• As a flap is not created in this surgery, there are no chances of flap-related complications. The patient won’t have to worry that the flap might move or fold. 
• Similar to all other types of vision correction surgeries, SMILE is also quick and safe. The entire surgery takes around 15 to 30 minutes only. 
• The recovery after SMILE is short, and the patient experiences less discomfort. 
• The vision improves up to 80% within the first few hours after undergoing SMILE eye surgery. 
• With SMILE, there is minimal risk of dry eyes as a flap is not created. 
• There is no loss of corneal biomechanical strength. 
• SMILE offers greater precision and stability of vision. 
• Unlike other types of LASIK surgeries, SMILE doesn’t affect the patient’s ability to see clearly in low light. 

Recovery & Results of SMILE LASIK

The results of SMILE LASIK take only a few hours to appear. However, the vision may take around 1 to 6 months to stabilize. The exact timeline varies for each patient. The recovery from the surgery will take around 2-4 weeks. And throughout this period, the patient has to follow the following instructions carefully. 

• Take proper rest on the initial days and use the prescribed medications as directed by the doctor. 
• Wear an eye shield or protective cover to prevent rubbing or poking the eyes. 
• Avoid water from getting in the eye, as it can cause irritation. This includes taking showers and using bathtubs. 
• In the first few days, avoid exercising, even low-impact activities. 
• Avoid using makeup products, face creams, moisturizers, and other products for at least one week. 
• Avoid areas of smoke, dust, or even steam. These airborne particles can cause irritation and discomfort in the eye while it is healing. 
• Keep taking follow-ups with the doctor as suggested to monitor your visual recovery.