SMILE at Northwest Eye Surgeons
Are you tired of depending on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly? While LASIK has dominated the landscape of laser vision correction for decades, a groundbreaking procedure called SMILE is transforming how patients achieve visual freedom.
At Northwest Eye Surgeons, our specialized approach to SMILE surgery offers patients a minimally invasive path to crystal-clear vision.
What is SMILE?
SMILE is a laser vision correction procedure that specifically targets nearsightedness and astigmatism through a unique approach that interferes with fewer corneal nerves than traditional refractive surgeries. The procedure utilizes advanced femtosecond laser technology to create a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue in the cornea, known as a lenticule.
Then, a tiny incision is made through which the lenticule can be carefully extracted. This reshapes the cornea’s curvature, correcting your refractive errors and enabling light to focus properly on the retina, resulting in crisp, clear vision.
SMILE’s minimally invasive nature offers significant advantages for specific patients, particularly those with thinner corneas or dry eye who may not qualify for traditional LASIK.
Your Vision, Our Expertise—Close to Home
State-of-the-Art Refractive Centers in Bellevue & Seattle
Experience personalized, advanced laser vision correction at our modern refractive surgery centers in Bellevue and Seattle. Whether you’re on the Eastside or in North Seattle, our trusted surgeons provide the same high level of care and precision you’d expect from the region’s leaders in vision correction.
Bellevue
LASIK & SMILE Center
12400 SE 38th St, Suite 201
Bellevue, WA 98006
Seattle
Comprehensive Surgical & Refractive Care
332 NE Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98125
Call Today! 855-647-6453
What is the Difference Between LASIK and SMILE?
The distinction between SMILE and LASIK extends far beyond surgical technique, impacting everything from candidacy requirements to recovery timelines. Understanding these differences empowers patients to make informed decisions about their vision correction journey.
Corneal Preservation
LASIK procedures require creating a 20-millimeter corneal flap, which can disrupt corneal nerves and potentially lead to side effects such as dry eye. SMILE eliminates this flap creation, utilizing only a small incision that preserves more corneal nerves compared to LASIK.
Treatment Scope
While LASIK addresses nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, SMILE currently corrects only nearsightedness and mild to moderate astigmatism.
Recovery Timeline
SMILE patients typically experience faster initial recovery compared to LASIK candidates. The absence of a corneal flap eliminates flap-related complications and reduces healing time.
Most Northwest Eye Surgeons SMILE patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours, with visual stability often achieved more rapidly than with traditional procedures.
The Benefits of Choosing SMILE Surgery
SMILE surgery offers distinct advantages that position it as the preferred choice for many candidates seeking vision correction. These benefits extend beyond the procedure itself, encompassing long-term eye health and lifestyle considerations.
Find Out if You’re A Candidate Today
We are Seattle’s home for SMILE, the most advanced laser vision correction surgery on the market. Find out if you’re a candidate in 30 seconds!
Determining Your SMILE Candidacy
Candidates for SMILE must have nearsightedness and/or astigmatism within the range that SMILE can treat, be at least 22 years old, and have a stable prescription for a minimum of 12 months before the procedure. Pregnant or nursing women should postpone the procedure until hormonal stabilization occurs.
Patients with glaucoma, cataracts, retinal diseases, or corneal irregularities are often not good candidates for SMILE, as well as those with autoimmune conditions that could affect healing, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. You should also have realistic expectations about the results of your procedure.
While most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, individual results vary based on pre-operative prescription strength, healing response, and individual eye structure.
What to Expect During SMILE
Before beginning the procedure, patients receive topical anesthetic drops to ensure complete comfort throughout the process. If you have anxiety, you may be offered mild sedation to help you relax.
The entire SMILE procedure typically requires 10-15 minutes per eye. Using advanced femtosecond laser technology, your eye surgeon creates the lenticule in the cornea with microscopic precision.
Following lenticule creation, your eye surgeon makes a small incision and carefully pulls the tissue through this opening. This reshapes the cornea, correcting your refractive errors and improving visual clarity.
What is Recovery Like After SMILE?
Immediately following surgery, your vision may be temporarily blurry. Transportation arrangements are essential, as driving is prohibited until your eye doctor clears you to do so.
The initial recovery period involves rest and careful eye protection. You may experience mild light sensitivity, tearing, or a sensation of something in the eye.
Prescribed eye drops should be used as directed to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Many patients notice significant vision improvement within hours of the procedure, although optimal results typically develop over the following weeks.
Most SMILE patients return to work and their regular activities within 24 to 48 hours. You will likely need to follow exercise restrictions for the first week to prevent eye trauma and infection during initial healing.
Follow-up appointments monitor healing progress and address any concerns. During these appointments, your eye doctor will let you know when it’s safe to resume normal activities.
Visual acuity continues improving throughout the first month, with final results typically achieved within several months. The majority of Northwest Eye Surgeons SMILE patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, with many experiencing vision quality superior to their previous glasses or contact lens correction.
Choosing Northwest Eye Surgeons for Your SMILE Journey
The decision to pursue vision correction surgery deserves careful consideration and expert guidance. Our comprehensive consultation process evaluates your unique eye characteristics, lifestyle requirements, and vision goals to determine if SMILE is the right procedure for you.
Ready to discover if SMILE surgery can transform your vision and lifestyle? Schedule your comprehensive consultation with Northwest Eye Surgeons today!
