Posted by: Manhattan LASIK Center

SMILE or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction is one of the newest and arguably the safest of all laser vision correction techniques. This new technique is making waves in the laser vision industry, with more people than ever keen to take advantage of the benefits that it offers.

What Makes SMILE Different From Other Laser Vision Correction Techniques?

In SMILE laser vision correction, a customized pre-programmed laser creates a disc-shaped piece of cornea inside your eye, which is then removed through a tiny incision. In doing this, the cornea is reshaped in such a way that the patient’s refractive eye error is corrected, and they can see clearly with little or no need for glasses or contact lenses.

The primary difference between SMILE and the currently better-known LASIK laser vision correction is that there is no flap created during SMILE. This eliminates the risks associated with flap creation that may occur with LASIK. SMILE is also different from PRK laser vision correction, which actually precedes LASIK and involves the removal of the entire epithelial layer, and requires a longer recovery period.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism, along with the other refractive conditions of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) is one of the leading causes of blurred vision. It is characterized by having an eye that is more elongated than normal, shaped closer to a football than a soccer ball, and this causes light to be focused at more than one place in the eye. When this happens, it can cause a range of symptoms including headaches, eye strain, and of course, blurred vision.

Astigmatism usually occurs alongside myopia or hyperopia and can be corrected using prescription lenses in either glasses or contact lenses. However, many patients find both of these solutions inconvenient and seek a more permanent solution to their vision problems. This is possible thanks to laser vision correction.

Can SMILE Be Used To Correct Astigmatism?

The good news is that SMILE surgery obtained FDA approval in the U.S. for the treatment of myopia with astigmatism in 2018. This means that if you suffer from both myopia and astigmatism within specific parameters, and you are deemed a good candidate for the procedure at your consultation appointment, you can have your vision permanently corrected using SMILE in Manhattan, NY, and will have little to no need to use glasses or contact lenses in the future.

Why Choose SMILE Laser Vision Correction?

There are a number of advantages to choosing SMILE laser vision correction in Manhattan LASIK Center. These include:

     – A proven track record of safety and success
     – The smallest incision into the cornea compared to other techniques
     – Superior comfort during the procedure
     – Exceptionally accurate and predictable results
     – Minimal risk of complicationsFewer incidences of dry eye
     – Fast, comfortable recovery

If you would like to find out more about SMILE laser vision correction for astigmatism or to schedule a consultation, please contact our experienced SMILE team at Manhattan LASIK Center by calling (212) 759-9617 today.