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Disclaimer

This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.

Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.
Laser Vision correction

ZEISS SMILE

Lenticule extraction with SMILE® from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction procedure designed to gently correct nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. Using a minimally invasive approach, your surgeon removes a tiny layer of corneal tissue to reshape the eye, helping to reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

ZEISS SMILE can help correct:

  • Nearsightedness with or without astigmatism

Why choose ZEISS SMILE laser vision correction?

Minimally invasive – quick recovery

Vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is minimally invasive. Some patients can return to their daily routine as soon as the following day. However, patients should avoid some activities such as contact sports or being in dusty or smoky environments in the days following the surgery. Before and after the procedure, your eye doctor will advise you on when it is appropriate and safe to resume any specific activities. Always talk to them about your particular lifestyle and habits.

Contact an eye doctor today

  • Minimally invasive

    Laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive, flapless and bladeless procedure where the small opening created by the laser is ~ 4 mm. Compared to LASIK, fewer corneal nerves are disrupted with ZEISS SMILE, which may lead to fewer post-operative dry eye symptoms.4

  • Quick & reliable results

    With ZEISS SMILE your vision usually improves directly after the treatment5 and continues to get better over time.

  • Fast recovery

    Patients recover nicely and may return to their daily activities soon after treatment. All in all, patients are happy with their new vision quality – the experiences shared by patients after six months postoperatively show a high level of satisfaction.6

ZEISS SMILE facts & figures

Did you know that …
  • 10,000,000

    eyes successfully treated with ZEISS SMILE & ZEISS SMILE pro – and counting.

  • 10-20 min

    is the amount of time laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE usually takes.

  • 24 h

    is the amount of time most patients need
    to recover from the procedure.

What happens during the treatment with ZEISS SMILE?

At first, your eyes are numbed using eye drops to allow for a comfortable treatment. The laser – a ZEISS VisuMax – will treat your eye with a laser exposure time that takes less than 30 seconds. The entire procedure, including the removal of the corneal tissue, generally takes 10 to 20 minutes in total. You just lie back, try to relax and follow the instructions of your doctor.

Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE.

Is ZEISS SMILE right for me?

Using ZEISS SMILE, your surgeon can correct nearsightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism, a condition which causes blurred vision, headaches and eye strain.

The procedure with ZEISS SMILE may be suitable for anyone who meets the eligibility criteria and is within the refractive ranges below7:

  • Nearsightedness: -10.00 to -0.5 dioptres
  • Astigmatism: 0.0 to 5.00 dioptres
  • Overall prescription strength (including both nearsightedness and astigmatism): up to -12.50 dioptres
Man sitting at a desk in a creative studio, symbolizing clear vision and concentration following ZEISS SMILE eye surgery.

What is the recovery like after vision correction?

With ZEISS SMILE some patients can return to their regular activities as soon as the following day, depending on your doctor’s recommendations. They will also advise you on what’s best for your recovery.

Doctor and patient in discussion about laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE before treatment.

What are the possible side effects?

Laser vision correction is a clinically proven and established method of treating refractive errors. Like any other medical procedure, lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE is not free of risks and side effects. To help minimise potential risks, your surgeon will conduct a thorough health evaluation and detailed eyesight examination before the procedure. However, you should know about possible side effects, so you can discuss them with your eye doctor.

Blurred trees and light distortions representing impaired vision caused by astigmatism before lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE.

Can astigmatism be treated with ZEISS SMILE?

Astigmatism is a very common condition leading to blurred or distorted vision that can cause headaches and eye strain. It often happens alongside other vision conditions such as nearsightedness. ZEISS SMILE can be an option to correct astigmatism that occurs together with nearsightedness.

Clinic Finder

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Frequently asked questions

  • The ZEISS Group is one of the world’s leading technology companies. It has a balanced portfolio that is geared toward attractive future-oriented markets in optics, precision mechanics and optoelectronics. For more than 175 years, ZEISS has been shaping technological progress, advancing the world of optics with solutions from its four segments and meeting its customers’ needs.

    Find out what drives us at ZEISS

  • Your surgeon will use the latest ZEISS medical technology and software during your treatment. Lenticule extraction is performed on VisuMax® with SMILE® from ZEISS. Each laser pulse delivers a very precise burst of light, thereby reducing the potential for harm to any nearby healthy tissue that must remain intact.

    To help the surgeon do their job effectively, ZEISS VisuMax also features high-quality ZEISS microscopes, digital cameras, advanced interactive touch screens and integrated illumination. For the short surgery you will be lying on a comfortable patient bed.

  • As with all surgical procedures, you may experience side effects after your surgery. However, vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is designed to be minimally invasive. Your surgeon needs to create a small, keyhole opening in your eye. The upper layers of the cornea remain virtually unaffected, which means side effects such as dry eyes are less compared to a LASIK treatment.

    Read more about possible side effects here

  • In most cases following the treatment with ZEISS SMILE, many patients enjoy improved vision immediately that will even get better within a couple of days. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding post-op medication and any restrictions. During the healing process, you should avoid rubbing your eyes. What’s more, you may feel some minor discomfort, such as sensing foreign bodies or blurred vision while your eyes are recovering.
    Many patients can resume normal activities such as exercising, wearing makeup, working and sport as soon as the next day.

    Read more about the healing process here
  • Go to our FAQ page

This might also interest you

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    ZEISS SMILE pro
  • Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.

    ZEISS SMILE

     
  • Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.

    PRK
  • Middle-aged asian woman looking calmly into the camera wearing an apron.

    ZEISS PRESBYOND
  • Out-of-focus view of sunlit leaves and branches against a bright sky.

    Astigmatism
  • Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

    Treatment comparison
  • Woman reading comfortably in natural light, representing sharp, unaided vision after ZEISS SMILE pro treatment.

    ZEISS SMILE pro

    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® pro from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction treatment. Using ZEISS SMILE pro, your surgeon can treat nearsightedness and farsightedness¹ with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure – with less than 10 seconds of laser exposure when treating nearsightedness2 and less than 13 seconds when treating farsightedness3.

  • Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.

    ZEISS SMILE

    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction. Using ZEISS SMILE, your surgeon can correct nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure.

  • Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.

    PRK

    PRK, developed in the 1980s, was the first laser vision correction procedure and is still used today for certain patients. It can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While newer techniques like ZEISS SMILE, ZEISS SMILE pro and LASIK are available, PRK remains a trusted option for patients with specific eye conditions.

  • Middle-aged asian woman looking calmly into the camera wearing an apron.

    ZEISS PRESBYOND

    As you age, your vision becomes increasingly blurry up close. This condition is called presbyopia and refers to the natural decline in our eyesight over time. If you are seeking an alternative to glasses or contacts, laser vision correction like ZEISS PRESBYOND may help.

  • Out-of-focus view of sunlit leaves and branches against a bright sky.

    Astigmatism

    If you experience blurry vision, halos, or glare, especially at night, you may have astigmatism. This common condition occurs alongside nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). While glasses or contact lenses can correct it, laser vision correction offers an alternative solution for treating astigmatism.

  • Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

    Treatment comparison

    Explore other options of laser vision correction and how they differ in technique, treatment approach or recovery time. Your eye doctor can help determine the best option for you.

  • 1

    Approved and available in selected markets.
  • 2

    Data on file (unpublished). Myopia with optical zone of 6.5 mm.
  • 3

    Data on file (unpublished). The whole procedure including extracting the lenticule lasts about 5 to 10 minutes per eye.
  • 4

    Hidenaga Kobashi, MD, PhD,† Kazutaka Kamiya, MD, PhD, and Kimiya Shimizu, MD, PhD (2023), Dry Eye After Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK: Meta-Analysis
  • 5

    With ZEISS SMILE, some patients can return to their daily activities (including light work, for example in an office) as early as the day after the operation. Your doctor will advise you on post-operative care.
  • 6

    ZEISS Data on file, 2023 (unpublished).

  • 7

    Please be aware that the suitable treatment range may vary from one country to another. For United States of America, Japan, and Canada the mentioned treatment range is not applicable.