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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 pro?

Here, we highlight the typical steps involved in the laser vision correction procedure using ZEISS SMILE pro. 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 pro 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 pro. 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 pro.

    Step 2
    Reshaping your cornea with ZEISS SMILE pro

    Lenticule extraction is performed on
    ZEISS VISUMAX 800 with SMILE® pro from ZEISS.
    Using a femtosecond laser, in less than 10 seconds (13 seconds when treating hyperopia³), 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 pro 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 pro, symbolizing visual freedom and recovery.

    5th Step
    Healing and Recovery

    With ZEISS SMILE pro, some patients can resume many of their daily activities of daily living 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 pro is an advanced laser vision treatment. Millions of people around the world have already benefited from high-precision laser vision correction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

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The advantages of ZEISS SMILE pro

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

The procedure with ZEISS SMILE pro can treat nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia)2 with or without astigmatism, each in a single procedure1 in patients who qualify. The treatment will be performed with the most advanced laser from ZEISS: ZEISS VISUMAX 800.

With SMILE pro, patients experience little postoperative discomfort and dry-eye occurrence is low. All in all, patients are happy with their new vision quality – the experiences shared by myopic and hyperopic patients postoperatively after six months show a high level of satisfaction.5 Here are some more advantages of lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro:

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  • Comfort

    With the latest generation of ZEISS lasers, your eye is exposed to the laser for under 10 seconds during myopia treatment and under 13 seconds for hyperopia³. During the procedure your eyes will be numbed, which usually means you will not feel pain or discomfort.

  • Quick & reliable results

    With ZEISS SMILE pro your vision usually improves directly after the treatment4 and continues to get better over time.

  • Fast recovery

    Patients recover well and may return to their daily activities the day after the treatment.4 All in all, patients are happy with their new vision quality – the experiences shared by myopic and hyperopic patients postoperatively after six months show a high level of satisfaction.5

Clinic Finder

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 pro laser vision correction can address common vision issues each in a single procedure¹ – such as myopia and hyperopia² with or without astigmatism, each in a single procedure¹. While myopia causes your vision to be blurred for distant objects, hyperopia means nearby objects or text are fuzzy and obscure. Astigmatism causes further distorted or blurred vision as the cornea is more oval than round (more like a rugby ball than a football) and can lead to headaches and eye strain. The treatment will be performed with the most advanced laser from ZEISS: ZEISS VISUMAX 800. This cutting-edge of ZEISS laser requires less than 10 seconds of laser exposure to correct a single eye for myopic patients and 13 seconds of laser exposure to correct a single eye for hyperopic patients³.

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

  • Your surgeon will provide you with a list of instructions for 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

  • In most cases, following the surgery with ZEISS SMILE pro, patients enjoy improved vision immediately – and it will even get better over the next few days.
    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

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    ZEISS SMILE

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

    PRK
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    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

    In most cases a single procedure is sufficient. In rare cases, re-treatment is necessary.
  • 2

    Approved and available in selected markets.
  • 3

    Data on file (unpublished). Myopia with optical zone of 6.5 mm.
  • 4

    The statements refer to patients who received a myopia treatment. Hyperopic patients reported longer times. For more detailed information please ask your doctor.
  • 5

    ZEISS Data on file, 2023 (unpublished).