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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.

What happens during treatment with ZEISS SMILE?

Here, we highlight the typical steps involved in the laser vision correction procedure using ZEISS SMILE. Your surgeon will explain these steps in more detail and answer any additional questions you may have.

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  • Eye close-up with sharp focus, representing improved vision and optical precision after ZEISS SMILE laser eye surgery.

    1st Step
    Preparing you for the procedure

    Before starting the procedure, your eye is numbed using anaesthetic drops. To keep your eye open during surgery, an eyelid holder is fitted. A contact glass is placed on your eye and the suction it produces will keep your eye still. You may experience some slight pressure during this step.

  • A close-up, top-down digital rendering of an eye during the procedure with ZEISS SMILE. The laser is precisely focused on the cornea to begin creating the lenticule. This moment visually highlights the minimally invasive, flapless nature of lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE.

    2nd Step
    Reshaping your cornea with ZEISS SMILE

    Lenticule extraction is performed on ZEISS VisuMax with SMILE® from ZEISS. Using a femtosecond laser, in less than 30 seconds, the laser creates a small disc of corneal tissue (called a lenticule) and a small opening of ~ 4 mm. The exact size and shape of the lenticule is specific to your refractive error.

  • Eye undergoing minimally invasive lenticule removal during the lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE through a small laser-created opening.

    3rd Step
    Preparing to remove the lenticule

    The lenticule is then removed through the small opening created by the laser.

  • Cornea after lenticule removal, with small incision visible and surface reshaped for vision correction.

    4th Step
    Correcting your vision to make you smile

    Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, thereby correcting your vision. The small opening will close as your eye heals.

  • Woman jogging outdoors after laser eye surgery with ZEISS SMILE, symbolizing visual freedom and recovery.

    5th Step
    Healing and Recovery

    With ZEISS SMILE, some patients can resume many of their daily activities as soon as the following day. However, patients should avoid risky activities such as contact sports or being in dusty or smoky environments.
    Before and after eye surgery, your doctor will advise you on when it is appropriate and safe to resume any specific activities.

Watch the full treatment animation

Lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE is an advanced laser vision treatment. Millions of people around the world have already benefited from high-precision laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE.

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The advantages of ZEISS SMILE

What makes treatment with ZEISS SMILE a preferred option for vision correction?

The procedure with ZEISS SMILE corrects nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in patients who qualify. In most cases following surgery with ZEISS SMILE, many patients enjoy improved vision that will even get better within a couple of days. Here are some more advantages of the lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE:

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  • Minimally invasive

    Vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive, flapless and bladeless procedure where the small opening created by the laser is ~ 4 mm.

  • Technologically advanced

    ZEISS SMILE is high-precision technology that can correct nearsightedness with or without astigmatism.

  • Fast recovery

    With ZEISS SMILE, your vision should stabilise within a few weeks. Your eye doctor can advise you when it is appropriate to resume any specific activities.

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Your eye doctor can help you find the best treatment option for your specific eye condition.
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Frequently asked questions

  • ZEISS SMILE laser vision correction is approved for patients with nearsightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism. While myopia causes your vision to be blurred for distant objects, hyperopia means nearby objects or text is fuzzy and obscure. Astigmatism distorts and blurs vision further as the cornea is more oval than round (more like a rugby ball than a football) and can lead to headaches and eye strain

    If you are looking for a vision correction centre powered by ZEISS technology, please consult our clinic finder.

    Go to clinic finder

  • Your surgeon will provide you with a list of instructions about your procedure, including when to stop wearing your contact lenses, what to eat on the day of surgery, what to wear to your procedure and when to administer your post-op, prescription eye drops. Please note that you will need to arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure.

  • Following the procedure, you should avoid rubbing or touching your eye. Some surgeons may recommend wearing eye shields while sleeping for a day or so following your treatment.

    Read more about the healing process here

  • However, you will not be able to drive after the procedure, so you will need to arrange for someone to take you home. Please also talk to your consultant for any details that might be applicable in your particular circumstances.

    Find out more about the recovery here
  • Go to our FAQ page

This might also interest you

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    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.