Skip to main content
Vision Care
For Eye Care Professionals
back
Vision Care
recommended searches
popular searches
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

Your eye doctor can help you find the best treatment option for your specific eye condition.
Find a clinic near you

This might also interest you

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

    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.