SMILE® Pro

SMILE® Pro (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a fast, accurate, keyhole procedure that aims to correct a high degree of short-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. This minimally invasive laser procedure has been performed on over ten million eyes worldwide. It can reduce or eliminate the need to wear spectacles or contact lenses.

In general SMILE® Pro is most suited to people:

• Aged over 21
• Who are myopic (short sighted) or have astigmatism,
• With a prescription that has been stable for the past 12 months, and
• With a healthy, regular shaped cornea.

Additionally, SMILE® Pro may be suitable for people:

• Who have previously been told they don’t meet the criteria for LASIK,
• Who suffer dry eyes (the procedure has less impact on the corneal nerves),
• Who want to return to contact sports as soon as possible (due to keyhole surgery, the corneal incision heals quickly compared to LASIK, which requires creation and healing of a corneal flap).
• Is able to treat short-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism

• SMILE® Pro keyhole surgery is a fast, accurate, bladeless, one-step procedure. The surgeon creates a 3mm opening in the cornea then manually removes a precisely measured disc of corneal tissue (lenticule) through the incision. This changes the shape of the cornea.
• PresbyLASIK is a type of Laser Vision Correction designed to correct presbyopia, an age related condition that makes it difficult to see objects up close. People aged 40 and older with presbyopia who are also short-sighted, far-sighted, or have astigmatism may be good candidates for PresbyLASIK. PresbyLASIK involves creating a thin flap on the surface of the cornea, usually with a femtosecond laser. The excimer laser is then used to reshape the corneal tissue to create a multifocal corneal surface. This reshaping allows light to be focused at different distances, addressing both short and far vision issues. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is repositioned, and it heals naturally over time without the need for stitches.
• LASIK uses computer-guided light-pulse technology to create a thin flap of corneal tissue which is lifted to enable the cornea to be precisely re-shaped using a second laser. The flap is resettled on the corneal bed, allowing healing to begin immediately with no sutures required.
• PRK uses laser to remove the front layer of cells on the cornea known as the epithelium. Vision correction is limited to the outer layers of the cornea, which aids comfort during the recovery process and speeds up healing time.
• LASIK, PresbyLASIK, and SMILE® Pro offer a faster, more comfortable recovery than PRK, however they are not suitable for people with a thin or irregular corneal surface. The visual outcome following PRK is excellent and there is a lower incidence of ocular dryness (dry eye) which can occur with other procedures.

The SMILE® Pro procedure takes just a few minutes for each eye, however you will be at the Wollongong Refractive Laser Eye Institute for approximately two hours.

Although you will probably be able to see well the next day, it generally takes a few weeks for vision to stabilise. However, you will be able to return to work and resume driving two to three days after surgery.

After SMILE® Pro you may experience:

• Immediately after surgery, your vision will be like looking through a frosted glass window
• Gritty, occasionally painful, and watery eyes in the first 24-48 hours
• Light sensitivity for approximately one week
• You may see haloes around lights, especially at night until your vision settles
• Your vision will fluctuate over the first three to four weeks, however, you should always maintain a reasonable level of vision
• You may find your short and distance vision will heal differently

Most people are legally able to drive a car without glasses or contact lenses following recovery from SMILE® Pro. You are required, by law, to attend the Roads and Maritime Service following surgery to have your licence endorsed for driving without spectacles or contact lenses if you meet the visual acuity criteria.

• Please do not drive immediately after your procedure – having had surgery and medication, you must wait at least 24 hours and until adequate vision returns. Your surgeon will provide further advice.
• To protect your eyes, do not wash your hair for 24 hours after the procedure and avoid makeup, soap, shampoo and water in the eye for one week.
• Do not rub your eyes, swim, or play contact sports for two weeks. Do not ski, surf, or undertake other intense physical activities where there is a chance of impact for four weeks.
• You will be more comfortable if you wear sunglasses when outside for a few days following your surgery.