SMILE vs LASIK: The Laser Eye Surgery Safety Showdown

If you're tired of fumbling for your glasses in the morning or the daily contact lenses battle, laser eye surgery's promise of freedom might be very enticing. But, when it comes to safety, how do you know which procedure has your back?

In laser vision correction, SMILE eye surgery and LASIK eye surgery are two major players. Both laser eye surgeries are effective, widely performed, and trusted. However, when it comes to safety, recovery and results, they have their differences.

As one of Auckland’s most experienced laser eye surgery clinics, we get a kick out of helping you see clearly, and with confidence! In this article, we discuss the safety profiles of SMILE laser eye surgery and LASIK surgery. We cover what sets them apart and who each procedure is most suitable for.

2. SMILE and LASIK: What's the Difference?

Let's start by breaking down the key differences between each procedure:

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

SMILE eye surgery is a form of laser vision correction procedure. It involves an eye surgeon using a femtosecond laser to create a small, disc-shaped piece of tissue (called a lenticule) inside the cornea. They then remove the lenticule via a tiny incision, reshaping the corneal tissue to enhance vision. 

SMILE laser eye surgery focuses on treating myopia (short-sightedness) and mild cases of astigmatism.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis)

Like SMILE surgery, LASIK surgery is also a minimally invasive procedure. It involves an eye surgeon using a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the cornea, which they lift to reshape the tissue underneath it using an excimer laser. They then reposition the flap, where it naturally seals in place. 

LASIK eye surgery focuses on treating myopia, hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism.

3. Safety Profiles: SMILE vs. LASIK

Both SMILE and LASIK have stellar safety records. However, there are some notable difference:

LASIK’s Proven Track Record

LASIK surgery has been around for over three decades. Millions of people around the world have successfully undergone the procedure. As such, LASIK has a proven track record, along with a very extensive research programme backing its safety. It goes without saying that it’s one of the most trusted and studied forms of laser vision correction.

SMILE’s Newer Data

SMILE eye surgery became available to patients in around 2014, so it's a relatively new option for laser vision correction. While it has delivered excellent safety results so far, it's lacking the long-term data that LASIK has. SMILE is definitely promising. Though, the procedure still has a 'new kid on the block' association attached to it compared to LASIK's 30-plus years of achievement.

Precision and Customisation

During LASIK surgery, an eye surgeon uses both a femtosecond laser and an excimer laser. This allows for very precise and customised vision corrections. As such, it can be a safer option for patients with higher prescriptions or complex vision issues. SMILE surgery relies solely on the femtosecond laser, which can make it less adaptable to tailored vision corrections.

4. Risk of Complications: How Do They Compare?

When weighing up LASIK and SMILE laser vision correction, it can be helpful to understand the potential complications and expected vision outcomes:

LASIK eye surgery

LASIK surgery's biggest concern centres around the creation of the corneal flap. Luckily, though, the major advancements in laser technology reduce this risk to an absolute minimum. Today, complications related to the creation of the corneal flap are extremely rare, with the procedure boasting a close to 100% success rate. 

Through LASIK, most patients achieve consistently clear and stable vision. It's a solid choice for a variety of prescriptions.

SMILE eye surgery

Because SMILE laser eye surgery only requires a small incision, it mitigates flap-related issues. However, the procedure carries the risk of issues related to the lenticule. These may include incomplete removal. It's also worth noting that if you require vision enhancements or adjustments down the track, the process can be more complex with SMILE. 

Generally, the procedure offers wonderful results. Though, in comparison to LASIK, its vision outcomes tend to indicate a little more variability.

5. Recovery and Healing

Recovery and healing times can influence which laser vision correction procedure feels right for you. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect with each option:

• LASIK: Visual recovery is quick, with the majority of patients noticing an enormous improvement in their vision within the first 24-hour period after the procedure. The cornea also heals quickly, and many people go back to work and resume normal daily activities within 1-2 days. For those who seek fast results and minimal downtime, LASIK can be a great option.
  
  
• SMILE: When it comes to recovery and healing, the SMILE procedure typically requires a little more patience. Although it's a minimally invasive procedure like LASIK, vision stabilisation can sometimes take a few days. The healing process isn't quite as fast as with LASIK. However, most patients can still resume regular daily activities within four days.

Laser Eye Surgery Safety is Our Priority

If you're tossing up between SMILE and LASIK, you can take comfort in knowing that both procedures deliver great results and have excellent safety records. However, there's no denying that LASIK leads the race, having accumulated decades of success stories and data. It also offers greater precision, the flexibility to treat a wider range of vision issues, and a shorter recovery timeline.

At Re:vision, your safety is our priority. We also provide free laser surgery assessments to help you determine the safest and most effective laser vision correction option for your eyes. Ready to take that first major step towards freedom from glasses and contact lenses? 

Book your free LASIK consultation

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