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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.

Possible side effects

Laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is a clinically proven and established treatment for refractive errors. However, like any medical treatment, it may involve some risks and potential side effects. Being aware of these possible side effects allows you to identify and discuss them with your doctor, who will provide detailed information to help you make an informed decision. Prior to the treatment, your surgeon will assess your health and eyesight to minimise any risks.

Confident man enjoying coffee at a café table, representing a relaxed lifestyle after laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE.

Over- or undercorrection

Understanding possible residual errors and follow-up treatment

Not everyone experiences fully restored eyesight following laser eye surgery. The level of recovery varies depending on individual conditions. Some residual refractive errors could remain, which means some patients will still need glasses or contacts after surgery. If over- or undercorrection occurs, follow-up surgery can correct the remaining refractive error. Additionally, even after nearsightedness correction, you may experience age-related changes to your vision as you get older, which is a natural part of aging. This can be easily managed with glasses, contact lenses, or a treatment with ZEISS PRESBYOND.

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

Dry eye syndrome

A common side effect that is treatable

Dry eyes are probably the most common side effect after laser vision correction. For most patients, this side effect does not last long and can be treated with artificial tears (eye drops). Because laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is minimally invasive, patients may experience fewer dry eye symptoms after the procedure compared to LASIK.
If you had been previously diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, you should mention this to your eye doctor during your pre-surgery consultation. They can advise if laser vision correction could be a suitable option for you.

Nighttime city skyline with reflections on water, representing improved night vision after lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE.

Vision stabilisation after ZEISS SMILE

Will you have perfect vision after surgery?

Your vision should stabilise on the target level within a few weeks after laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE. If you experience issues such as night vision glare or double vision, these should pass within a few weeks after the procedure.

However, despite careful preparation, not everyone's vision is fully corrected by surgery. Your surgeon may not be able to completely correct some residual refractive errors, so you may still need glasses or contact lenses.

Woman outdoors in soft light, symbolizing restored vision and confidence after lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE.

Medical complications

Recognising potential risks

All surgery carries risks, and the side effects explained are common to all laser vision correction procedures, including ZEISS SMILE, ZEISS SMILE pro, LASIK and PRK. However, vision correction with ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure with a small incision and no need to create a flap in the cornea. As such, there is no chance of developing a complication related to a flap.

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

Does surgery affect astigmatism?

Can the procedure with ZEISS SMILE cause or worsen astigmatism?

You may have heard that laser vision correction could cause astigmatism or make an existing condition worse. The fact is that the chances of developing post-op astigmatism are very low.
Before your treatment, your eye doctor will perform comprehensive medical checks to establish your overall health and the condition of your eyes. If you have astigmatism, you and your eye doctor can discuss the procedure and go through any possible side effects together.

Clinic Finder

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  • 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.