SMILE Laser Eye Surgery | Marsden Eye Specialists

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the latest flapless technology in refractive laser eye surgery. It is minimally invasive and used to treat shortsightedness and astigmatism.

With the SMILE procedure a femtosecond laser is used to create a small piece of tissue (which is called a lenticule) inside the cornea (Step 1) and then it is removed through a small laser incision (Step 2), leaving the outer cornea intact (Step 3).

Patients can expect shorter treatment times, quick visual recovery, no flap complications and excellent outcomes with high predictability.

If you have patients interested in SMILE or any refractive surgery please contact us on (02) 9635 6964 to arrange a complimentary consultation for them to determine their suitability for vision correction surgery. These are available at our Parramatta, Penrith and Castle Hill rooms.

Step 1
A small piece of corneal tissue called a lenticule is created inside the cornea. The laser also creates an access incision on the corneal surface that is less than 4mm wide.

Step 2
The lenticule is removed through a small incision with minimal disruption to the cornea.

Step 3
Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, correcting the refractive error.

On the day of the procedure

Do not wear any form of make-up, powder or perfume on the day of your procedure.

You can not drive yourself home on the day of your surgery. Please arrange for someone to take you home.

Plan to be at the surgery centre for 1- 1.5 hours. The actual procedure takes approximately 20 minutes for both eyes.

A sedative tablet is often given prior to surgery.
Local anaesthetic eyedrops will be placed in your eye to ensure your eye is comfortable during the procedure.
You will be placed under the Laser machine and your head will be positioned directly under the laser.
A clear, adhesive plastic film will be placed over your eye to hold down your eyelashes.
A speculum will be placed between your eyelids to open your eye and prevent blinking.
A suction ring will be positioned on your eye.

The Doctor will ask you to fix your focus on a blinking light. As soon as the Doctor is satisfied with your eye’s fixation, he will begin the laser. You will hear some sounds and observe a shadow momentarily blocking your view of the fixation light and feel a firm pressure on your eye. Relax and keep your eye fixed.

Once the corneal lenticule has been created with the laser the Doctor will remove the lenticule through a small laser incision on the cornea. At some moments you may not see the fixation light but you should keep your eye as still as possible.
Once the lenticule has been removed, the Doctor will irrigate your eye with water, put some more drops in,

After Your Surgery

Immediately after surgery, your vision will be blurred as though looking through frosted glass, usually lasting 6-12 hours. You may experience tearing and a mild foreign-body sensation.

We recommend you go home and rest or go to sleep after your procedure.

The next morning your vision will be improved.

For the first two weeks after your procedure, please do not rub your eyes, do not go swimming, do not wear eye makeup and please avoid dusty environments, contact sports or long overseas air travel.

You can generally return to work 2 days after the SMILE procedure.