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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.

Treatment comparison

Here, you’ll find an overview of common laser eye surgery procedures. While all listed laser eye surgery options have high success rates, they differ in the technique used and patient eligibility criteria. Which treatment is best for you depends on several factors like your specific eye condition, profession, and habits such as lifestyle and sports. Your eye doctor can help you understand which option is best for your specific eye condition.

  • Lenticule Extraction

    ZEISS SMILE

    A smiling patient looking into the distance, symbolizing satisfaction and visual clarity after ZEISS SMILE surgery.

    What can be treated
    - Nearsightedness with or without astigmatism

    How it works
    Lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive laser vision treatment that uses advanced ZEISS technology to reshape the cornea by removing a small piece of tissue (lenticule) to enhance vision. The treatment is performed with the highly precise ZEISS VisuMax laser device.

     

    Watch the treatment animation

    What makes it different

    • Over 10 million eyes successfully treated with ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro
    • Patients can usually return to their daily activities as soon as the day following the procedure
    • Performed with highly precise ZEISS VisuMax laser device
    • Fast recovery¹
    • Minimally invasive (no flap)
    • Overall treatment time: 10–20 min
    More about ZEISS SMILE
  • Lenticule Extraction

    ZEISS SMILE pro

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

    What can be treated
    - Nearsightedness with or without astigmatism
    - Farsightedness2 with or without astimatism

    How it works
    Lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro is a minimally invasive laser vision treatment that uses advanced ZEISS technology to reshape the cornea by removing a small piece of tissue (lenticule) to enhance vision. The treatment is performed using the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 – the latest generation of ZEISS laser technology – which offers a shorter laser time compared to ZEISS SMILE.

    Watch the treatment animation

    What makes it different

    • Over 10 million eyes successfully treated with ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE pro
    • Patients can usually return to their daily activities as soon as the day following the procedure³
    • Performed with highly precise and most advanced laser: ZEISS VISUMAX 800
    • Fast recovery³
    • Minimally invasive (no flap)
    • Overall treatment time: 10 min
    More about ZEISS SMILE pro
  • LASER-ASSISTED in Situ Keratomileusis

    LASIK

    Bearded man smiling outdoors in a city environment, symbolizing confidence and visual freedom after LASIK treatment.

    What can be treated
    - Nearsightedness with or without astigmatism
    - Farsightedness with or without astigmatism

    How it works
    Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a procedure where a flap of the corneal surface is created, and a thin layer of underlying tissue is reshaped with a laser. The difference between the Femto-LASIK and the classic LASIK method is the way the flap in the cornea is created. A laser is used to cut the flap in Femto-LASIK. With the classic method, the surgeon makes the flap manually with a mechanical device.

    Watch the treatment animation

    What makes it different

    • Most clinics offer LASIK or Femto-LASIK procedures
    • Patients can usually resume light daily activities after a few days
    • Flap-based treatment
    • One of the most common laser vision corrections
    • Overall treatment time: 30 min
    More about LASIK
  • Photorefractive keratectomy

    PRK

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

    What can be treated
    - Nearsightedness with or without astigmatism
    - Farsightedness with or without astigmatism

    How it works
    Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye surgery where the outer layer of the cornea is gently removed before reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser. Once this is done,  a bandage contact lens is applied to help with healing.

    Watch the treatment animation

    What makes it different

    • May be an option for patients with thinner corneas or who are not suitable for ZEISS SMILE, ZEISS SMILE pro or LASIK 
    • Vision should take about a month to improve, and most patients’ vision becomes stable within three to six months after treatment
    • Prescribed antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drops for about a month support healing
    • No flap
    • One of the first methods established for laser vision correction
    • Overall treatment time: 30 min
    More about PRK
  • Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis

    ZEISS PRESBYOND

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

    What can be treated
    - Presbyopia (Age-related)

    How it worksThe innovative treatment, utilising a patented algorithm, optimises each eye individually to meet your specific visual requirements. One eye is optimised for near vision and the second eye primarily for distance vision. In addition to providing clear vision for both near and distance objects, the brain effectively fuses your vision in the intermediate range. This creates SEAMLESS VISION, so you can see clearly across all distances: near, intermediate and far.

    More about ZEISS PRESBYOND

    What makes it different

    • Most patients can read clearly without glasses the same day
    • New eyesight normally stabilises within two to three weeks after the treatment.
    • Flap-based treatment
    • Less invasive4
    • Clear vision at all distances: near, intermediate and far
    • Overall treatment time: 30 min
    More about ZEISS PRESBYOND
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  • 1

    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.
  • 2

    Approved and available in selected markets.
  • 3

    The statements refer to patients who received a myopia treatment. Hyperopic patients reported longer times. For more detailed information, please ask your doctor.
  • 4

    Compared to intraocular methods for correction of presbyopic patients.