How does the most well-known and widely-performed laser vision correction procedure – LASIK – compare with one of the more recent procedures to come into the market – SMILE? If you’ve been thinking of correcting your vision, chances are you’ve come across these methods of laser vision correction. It can be overwhelming and confusing trying to decide which is best for you, which is why we’ve come up with this article to help you out. So with a life free from glasses and contact lenses awaiting, let’s dive right into our comparison!
Intro
LASIK
LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a flap-based laser vision correction surgery that can correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
Introduced in the early 1990s. This flap-based laser vision correction procedure has become one of the most popular and widely-known procedures for correcting refractive errors. It is so well known that the term “lasik” is used to refer to basically any type of laser vision correction.
With LASIK, a thin corneal tissue (flap), is created on the outer layer of the cornea. The flap is then folded back to expose the underlying corneal stroma tissue, which is then reshaped with an excimer laser to correct the refractive error.
At Clearvision, we provide Femto-LASIK, a bladeless form of the LASIK procedure. The flap is created with a fast and precise femtosecond laser, instead of a blade, thus providing a more comfortable and safe experience.
SMILE
ReLEx SMILE (Refractive Lenticule Extraction, Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) was created with the aim of bringing over the benefits of LASIK – a quick recovery with little to no discomfort – while being minimally invasive. It makes use of the removal of a tiny lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue within the eye, to reshape the cornea.
This tiny lens is referred to as the lenticule, and the minimally invasive 2 mm micro-incision (as compared to LASIK’s 22 mm flap cut) through which it is extracted from, contributes to SMILE’s fast and comfortable healing process – patients are able to go back to work in around 2 – 3 days.
Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is created which means that you do not get the risk of flap complications (dislodgement, wrinkles, inflammations) or dry eyes.
Treatable Conditions
LASIK
- Hyperopia (difficulty seeing objects up close)
- Myopia (difficulty seeing objects at long distances)
- Presbyopia (difficulty focusing on objects up close, in older age a.k.a. lao hua yan)
- Astigmatism (distorted, blurry vision at any distance)
SMILE
- Myopia (difficulty seeing objects at long distances)
- Astigmatism (distorted, blurry vision at any distance)
Suitability
LASIK
Ideally, corneal thickness should be at least 500 microns thick.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is advisable as an adjunct treatment if your cornea is thin, or you have high astigmatism and/or high myopia (more than -8 diopters [800 degrees]). This procedure strengthens the cornea to prevent it from changing its shape in the future.
If you have myopia, your prescription must not be more than -8 diopters (800 degrees).
For hyperopia, not more than -4 diopters (400 degrees).
For astigmatism, not more than -5 dioptres (500 degrees).
SMILE
Ideally, corneal thickness should be at least 550 microns thick, meaning that thinner corneas might not be eligible.
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is not advisable as an adjunct treatment if your cornea is less than 550 microns thick. We typically recommend going for TransPRK if your cornea is too thin.
If you have myopia, your prescription should be between -2.5 to -8 diopters (250 – 800 degrees).
Hyperopia is not treatable by SMILE.
For astigmatism, it should not more than -2.5 diopters (250 degrees).
Please note, you will not be suitable for LASIK or SMILE if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are under the age of 18 (parental consent is required if you are under the age of 21)
- Have severe dry eye syndrome
Procedure Steps
LASIK
Length of surgery: 10 – 15 mins per eye
SMILE
Length of surgery: 5 – 10 mins per eye
Recovery Process
LASIK
Full visual recovery, where your vision has totally stabilised and your eyes are consistently seeing very clearly, takes around 1 – 2 months (patients with high myopia may take longer).
SMILE
Full visual recovery, where your vision has totally stabilised and your eyes are consistently seeing very clearly, takes around 1 – 2 months (patients with high myopia may take longer)
Post-Operative Follow Up Reviews
LASIK
After surgery, you can expect to return to the clinic for follow-up reviews at these points during your recovery:
- 1 day post-surgery
- 1 week post-surgery
- 1 month post-surgery
- 2 months post-surgery
SMILE
After surgery, you can expect to return to the clinic for follow-up reviews at these points during your recovery:
- 1 day post-surgery
- 1 week post-surgery
- 1 month post-surgery
- 2 months post-surgery
Resuming Regular Activities
LASIK
Post-LASIK, you will be allowed to resume these activities after a specific period of time:
Long sessions of reading books, screens and watching TV: 1 day
Driving: 1 day
Light sports: 5 days
Applying eye makeup : 1 week
Eyes having to avoid water while showering: 1 week
Swimming and other water-related activities: 1 month
Contact sports: Not advisable as the cornea flap may dislodge
SMILE
Post-SMILE you will be allowed to resume these activities after a specific period of time:
Long sessions of reading books, screens and watching TV: 2 days
Driving: 2 days
Applying eye makeup : 2 days
Eyes having to avoid water while showering: 2 days
Light sports: 5 days
Swimming and other water-related activities: 2 weeks
Contact sports: 6 weeks
Pros
LASIK
- Little to no discomfort during recovery
- Quick recovery, with just 2 – 3 days of downtime
- Wide range of suitability criteria (high myopia, thin corneas etc.)
SMILE
- Little to no discomfort during recovery
- Quick recovery, with just 2 – 3 days of downtime
- No flap-related complications
- Low risk of dry eyes
- Ability to participate in contact sports
Cons
LASIK
- Corneal flap creation
- 1-2% risk of flap complications (flap dislodgement, flap wrinkles, flap inflammations and flap interface issues)
- Risk of dry eyes
- Risk of night vision issues
- Impacts corneal stability
SMILE
- 1% risk of lenticule complications (suction loss, unsuccessful extraction), requiring the patient to switch to TransPRK
- More narrow range of suitability criteria (hyperopia; high myopia or thin corneas not eligible)
- SMILE cannot be performed twice, meaning that any further enhancements will have to be done using TransPRK
Price At Clearvision Singapore
LASIK
S$3,988 for both eyes, inclusive of GST
SMILE
S$5,188 for both eyes, inclusive of GST
Prices comprise of:
- Surgery for both eyes
- Initial set of medications
- One pair of UV-protected sunglasses
- Post-op reviews for three months
A suitability evaluation is first required and will cost S$37.50 (inclusive of GST).
Conclusion
We hope that this comparison gives you a good idea of the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures. In short, LASIK is able to treat a wider range of eyes and conditions, and is the most well-known vision correction procedure in the market. On the other hand, SMILE offers the same quick recovery as LASIK, without the risk of dry eyes or corneal flap complications and thus ideal for those who lead an active lifestyle.
If you want to learn more about other laser vision correction methods, please visit our comparison table, or check out the comprehensive article comparing two of our minimally-invasive procedures – TransPRK and SMILE.
Book Your Eye Evaluation
If you would like to book a suitability evaluation with us to determine if you are eligible for laser vision correction surgery,
📞 Call us at 6733 3316
📱 WhatsApp us at 8383 7989
✉️ Email us at doctor@clearvision.com.sg
🤳 Message us on Facebook
🤳 Message us on Instagram
The evaluation costs $37.50 and will take around 1 – 2 hours.
It will include a series of eye tests as well as a personal consultation with your lasik surgeon.
Suitability Evaluation Guide
Our suitability evaluations typically take place during these times, subject to availability –
| Mondays | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Tuesdays | 9:00 AM 2:30 PM – 5:15 PM |
| Wednesdays | 9:00 AM |
| Thursdays | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Fridays | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 2:30 PM – 5:15 PM |
Just let us know which days and times work for you and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
