Refractive surgery, which includes SMILE and LASIK, has made significant advancements over the last thirty years. People with refractive issues have more treatment options than they did in previous years. The use of lasers for eye surgery changed the game for medical professionals. If you are contemplating whether to get SMILE or LASIK eye surgery in Los Angeles, you have come to the right place for answers.
What is SMILE Surgery?
SMILE is a corrective eye surgery that stands for small-incision lenticule extraction. When you undergo SMILE, your surgeon will create a very small opening (usually a 60 degree incision and less than 4 millimeters long) to remove the lenticule. This process will evidently change the shape of your cornea so that you can see better. SMILE is a fairly new form of laser eye surgery used to fix myopia and astigmatism.
What is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK is the more popular type of laser vision correction in Los Angeles that stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Roughly 96% of all refractive surgery is completed with LASIK surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon will create a 270-degree circumference flap within your cornea that measures about 20 millimeters in length. The surgery can correct a broad range of vision problems, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
Some people who consider laser eye surgery worry about paying for it. Neither LASIK nor SMILE are covered by insurance since they are a type of elective procedure. LASIK eye surgery cost does not greatly differ from SMILE. Surgery can cost anywhere between $1,800 to $3,600 for each eye.
Main Differences Between SMILE and LASIK
Even though SMILE and LASIK are two step procedures with low risk and quick results, they do have their differences.
- LASIK creates a much larger incision than SMILE.
- LASIK creates a flap incision while SMILE makes an incision into a pocket underlying a cap of tissue.
- LASIK has a larger pool of qualified candidates for surgery than SMILE. This is because SMILE only works for myopic individuals with a prescription between -1.00 and -8.00 D (Diopters) and no more than -.50 D of myopic astigmatism.
- The risk of dry eyes is lesser after SMILE surgery. This is because a small incision is made, which means fewer nerves are cut out.
- LASIK surgery can be affected by environmental factors such as temperature or humidity in the operating room whereas SMILE is not.
- The majority of people who get LASIK experience 20/20 vision within 24 hours of surgery whereas people who get SMILE have vision restored within 24 hours and it takes longer to achieve full 20/20 vision.
If you are still uncertain about getting either SMILE or LASIK in Los Angeles, you can set up a consultation with Excel Laser Vision Institute to discuss your options. Excel Laser Vision Institute is a well-respected name in vision correction and eye care throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. For more information, you can call their office at (310) 905-8622.