Smile Pro & SILK Refractive Laser Surgery
What Is Smile Surgery ?
In small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) eye surgery, your surgeon uses a laser to reshape your cornea and treat astigmatism and nearsightedness.
SMILE is a minimally invasive surgery. Its name gives an idea of what happens. The laser creates a lenticule and a tiny incision — less than 4 millimeters long — into your eye to remove your lenticule. Lenticules are disc-shaped pieces carved into your cornea by the laser. (The shape of the tissue is like an M&M®.) Removing the piece of tissue is what changes the shape of your cornea.
Procedure
In a pre-surgery appointment, your surgeon will examine your eyes to confirm you don’t have any other eye diseases or conditions that mean you shouldn’t have SMILE surgery. They’ll map out plans to remove the lenticule from your eye. For example, they’ll measure your cornea’s curvature and thickness.
Your provider will let you know how to prepare for surgery.
- They’ll ask you about the medications and over-the-counter supplements you take. They’ll let you know about medications you should stop taking before the surgery. They’ll also tell you when you should stop taking them before the surgery.
- Your provider will advise you if you need to stop drinking or eating the day before the procedure.
You should have an adult friend or family member with you to drive you home on the day of your surgery, too.
Benefits Of Smile Eye Surgery Over Lasik
People have corrective surgeries because they want to get rid of their contact lenses or glasses. If you have SMILE eye surgery, you’ll be able to see better and be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses.
SMILE may be better than LASIK eye surgery for people who:
- Tend to have dry eyes.
- Have a higher prescription.
- Are more active. You have more of a chance of the corneal flap moving around with LASIK. There isn’t a corneal flap created during SMILE.
SMILE surgery offers a chance for less tissue and nerve damage, quicker healing and less inflammation than other types of corrective eye surgeries. SMILE surgery is painless, too.
Is Smile Surgery Safer Than Lasik ?
Both SMILE eye surgery and LASIK eye surgery are very safe procedures. SMILE may have an advantage because it is less invasive than LASIK. There’s also less chance of nerve or tissue damage.
What are the downside of SMILE SURGERY ?
SMILE eye surgery only treats astigmatism and myopia (nearsightedness). Other corrective surgeries can treat other eye conditions, like presbyopia or farsightedness (hyperopia).
The SMILE procedure is a little newer than other eye surgeries. There may be fewer surgeons familiar with doing SMILE surgery than LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). There may also be fewer research studies on SMILE surgery.
A Note From Divyadrashti Clinic
Many people who wear contact lenses or glasses decide they don’t want to wear them any longer. Your eye care provider is your partner in sight. Ask them if they would recommend any type of corrective surgery, like SMILE eye surgery. They’ll direct you to the safest option for you. If you have SMILE surgery, be sure to do what your surgeon tells you so you have the best results.
SILK Elita Refractive Surgery
SILK`s Breakthrough Features Are
- Ultra-Low Energy Laser : SILK harnesses an ultra-low energy laser (spot) operating at a mere 60 nanojoules, a remarkable departure from SMILE's 150 nanojoules. This reduced energy translates into minimal collateral tissue damage, leading to decreased inflammation and an expedited visual recovery.
- Bridgeless Spot Separation : A hallmark feature of SILK is its bridgeless laser spot separation, ensuring the smoothest possible dissection of the lenticule. This precision is the essence of SILK's name, "Smooth Incision Lenticule Keratomileusis," and results in reduced surgical manipulation, leading to less swelling, inflammation, and an accelerated visual recovery.
- Biconvex Lenticule Design : SILK's biconvex lenticule design excels in enhancing vision quality, expediting nerve regeneration, and substantially reducing post-surgery dry eye symptoms. It also preserves depth of focus and guarantees a seamless transition in focus.
- Cyclotorsion Compensation : SILK boasts an innovative feature that corrects for eye rotation during transitions from sitting to lying down, a factor overlooked in SMILE. The absence of this feature in SMILE often results in residual astigmatism following the procedure.
- Visual Axis Precision : SILK aligns treatments precisely with the visual axis, offering a more natural and effective vision correction compared to SMILE's focus on the pupillary axis.
- Swift Recovery : One of SILK's standout features is its remarkable recovery time, allowing patients to resume their regular routines in just 24 hours, a substantial improvement over SMILE's one-week recovery period.
Conclusion : Compraing SILK & Smile Eye Surgery
While both SILK and SMILE offer effective solutions for those seeking liberation from glasses and contact lenses, SILK's advanced features, including its ultra-low energy laser, bridgeless spot separation, biconvex lenticule design, cyclotorsion compensation, and rapid recovery, position it as the superior choice. Patients exploring refractive surgery options should consult with eye care professionals to determine the most suitable choice for their unique vision requirements.
| Feature | SILK | SMILE |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Johnson & Johnson | Zeiss |
| Laser Energy Level | Ultra-low, 60 nanojoules | Higher, 150 nanojoules |
| Collateral Tissue Damage | Reduced due to lower energy | More due to higher energy |
| Spot Separation | Bridgeless, ensuring smoother dissection | About 4 microns, leading to more tissue manipulation |
| Lenticule Design | Biconvex, enhancing vision quality, faster nerve regeneration, reduced dry eye symptoms, better depth of focus, and lag-free transition | Flat, which may slow nerve regeneration and increase dry eye symptoms, less optimal depth of focus and transition |
| Vision Quality | Superior, offering up to 6/5 vision | Standard, typically achieving 6/6 vision |
| Cyclotorsion Compensation | Yes, corrects eye rotation changes | No, which can lead to residual astigmatism |
| Visual Axis Treatment | Aligns with the visual axis for natural, effective correction | Focuses on the pupillary axis |
| Recovery Time | Rapid, approximately 24 hours | Longer, around one week |