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A woman wondering.

Is ZEISS SMILE® right for me?

Which conditions or prescriptions can be corrected?

Millions of people across the globe are already enjoying improved vision thanks to ZEISS SMILE. And you could too — find out here if you are suitable for ZEISS SMILE laser eye surgery.

Check here if the procedure may be an option for you

The ZEISS SMILE suitability check

Objects near to you are clear and sharp but you have difficulty seeing objects in the distance.
This is a common sight problem called myopia (or near-sightedness). You can improve your sight with glasses or contact lenses or you may want to contact your doctor and see if ZEISS SMILE is a treatment option for you.

Your vision is blurred, and you know you have astigmatism.
Astigmatism means your eye is shaped more oval like a football than round like a baseball. This can lead to blurred vision, headaches, and eye strain. ZEISS SMILE is FDA approved to reduce or eliminate myopia with or without astigmatism. Take the next step by contacting your doctor.

You can see far away objects clearly but things nearby are blurred and out of focus.
You might have hyperopia, or far-sightedness. ZEISS SMILE is currently not able to correct hyperopia. Please talk to your doctor to find out what other ZEISS treatments might still be the best option for you.

Many different people that could be suitable for SMILE.

Talk to your eye surgeon for details!

You and your eye surgeon will decide together whether you are suitable for ZEISS SMILE eye surgery. ZEISS SMILE is FDA approved for the reduction or elimination of nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in patients who qualify for the procedure. Please talk to your doctor for details and if ZEISS SMILE is the right choice for you!

You should be over 22, have a stable prescription and be in good health. In any case, your doctor is the right person to advise you on the best way to proceed.

A woman’s eyes are measured by a doctor.

What are the general criteria for ZEISS SMILE suitability?

Discover if you can benefit from laser eye surgery

To be considered for ZEISS SMILE, you will need an assessment by your doctor to determine if you are suitable for the procedure that can correct myopia with or without astigmatism.

However, if you are at least 22 years of age, have stable prescription which has changed no more than 0.50 diopters in the year before the surgery and have healthy eyes free from retinal problems, corneal scars, or eye diseases, and are currently not pregnant or nursing, you may be eligible for ZEISS SMILE laser eye correction.

If you have other eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal diseases, and others, unfortunately, you cannot be considered for the surgery. This is also true for patients suffering from certain other medical conditions, such as diabetes, hepatitis C, herpes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus. The same applies if you are taking immunosuppressant drugs.

A young man smiling into the camera.

Are there any age restrictions with ZEISS SMILE?

Minimum and maximum age limits
ZEISS SMILE laser eye correction is available to all eligible patients over 22 years of age with no upper age limit, if you meet the general health criteria mentioned above.
Two first responders at work.

Is laser eye correction OK for my job?

Many people with different occupations benefit from ZEISS SMILE

If you are a first-responder, work in construction, drive trucks, work as a photographer, are in professional sports, or even IT, you should talk to your doctor to see if ZEISS SMILE is right for you. All four main branches Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines of the U.S. military currently offer ZEISS SMILE as an acceptable form of laser vision correction for eligible candidates. A personal assessment by your doctor, however, is needed in any case and will give you clarity if ZEISS SMILE is the right choice for you. While it is true you need to make an informed decision about any possible side effects or consequences, every healing process is different. Many patients recover from the procedure within a few weeks. Speak to your doctor about what the recovery will look like for you.

Two friends playing basketball.

How ZEISS SMILE can contribute to an active lifestyle

Enjoy sports after laser eye surgery

If you lead an active lifestyle, you may find glasses and contact lenses get in the way, such as your glasses constantly slipping during a workout or run, having to take out your lenses before swimming, or needing to invest in prescription eyewear for your specific type of activity. ZEISS SMILE aims to eliminate or reduce your dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

Francesca Presti

“As someone who is always on the go, I knew ZEISS SMILE was the perfect option for me! It was truly life changing. My only regret is not having it done sooner!”

Francesca Presti

Radio talk show host from Maryland
Single ZEISS Smile laser.

Technical capabilities of the ZEISS SMILE procedure

If you already know your prescription

You might already know your prescription from a prior test or your eyeglasses or contact lenses. The ZEISS SMILE procedure may be suitable for anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, in addition to the refractive ranges below:

  • Sphere: -1.00 to -10.00 Diopters
  • Astigmatism: .75 to 3.00 Diopters

What if I do not think ZEISS SMILE is the right choice for me?

Options and alternatives available at your eye clinic

Even if you don’t think you are suitable for ZEISS SMILE, talk to your doctor. They are experts in all aspects of laser eye correction surgery and know your individual medical history. Based on the current state of your eyes, you may still be eligible for ZEISS SMILE or an alternative laser eye correction surgery.

If, together with your surgeon, you decide the ZEISS SMILE laser eye procedure is not suitable for you, there are other options you may want to consider:

Smiling female doctor talks with patient.

PRK and LASIK

Different approaches, equally effective

If ZEISS SMILE is not an option for you, you may still be able to benefit from other laser eye surgery procedures like LASIK or PRK. Find out more about PRK and LASIK and talk to your doctor for ZEISS SMILE alternatives.

ICL

Intraocular surgery using an artificial lens

For patients whose prescription does not fall within the range for laser vision correction, you may want to explore ICLs (implantable collamer lens). During this procedure, an artificial lens is surgically implanted inside the eye. It is placed between the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, and your natural lens. ICL surgery is more invasive than laser eye surgery and carries different risks than ZEISS SMILE or LASIK.

RLE

Often recommended for older patients

RLE (refractive lens exchange) is another possibility. RLE involves replacing your current, natural lens with a new multifocal or single focus lens. The procedure is similar to cataract surgery and is often recommended for older patients.

Glasses from ZEISS as an alternative

And finally, of course you could stick with your glasses or contact lenses. ZEISS offers high-precision glasses which could even be an improvement over your current vision correction. Find out more about ZEISS glasses and contact lenses on our ZEISS Vision pages!

ZEISS Vision pages
Map of the United States.

Find a ZEISS SMILE clinic near you!

Eye clinics offering the ZEISS SMILE procedure

To find out more about ZEISS SMILE and your personal suitability, don’t hesitate to talk to an eye doctor that offers ZEISS SMILE. While many laser eye correction clinics and chains in the U.S. will offer a seemingly good price of laser eye surgery, they are not using the advanced ZEISS SMILE procedure. To find a clinic offering ZEISSS SMILE near you, have a look at our clinic finder.

Find a doctor or clinic near you

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