FAQs for SMILE Pro Flapless LASIK
1. What is SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
SMILE Pro® Flapless LASIK is a minimally invasive refractive eye surgery procedure that uses no scalpel, only a laser, and does not require an incision in the cornea.
It can correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism (cylindrical vision). It aims to reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses, thereby improving quality of life.
This procedure is more suitable for patients with high myopia, drier eyes, contact lens wearers, and thinner corneas.
The resulting level of precision and accuracy is much higher than that of traditional LASIK.
2. What is the SMILE Pro® Flapless LASIK procedure like?
Step 1: Visumax creates a refractive lenticule (a thin, lens-like piece of corneal tissue) at the base of the inner layer of the cornea, creating a 4 mm corneal incision.
Step 2: The refractive lenticule is removed through a small corneal incision. The corneal structure remains intact and stable because no flap is created.
Step 3: The removal of the lenticule alters the way light enters the eye, allowing clear vision without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. The small corneal incision heals on its own.
3. Does SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK hurt?
The SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK procedure is completely painless. Before the procedure, you will be given topical anesthetic in the form of eye drops. There are no injections or general anesthesia required. You will be awake throughout the entire procedure.
4. What examinations are required before undergoing SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
There are 7 pre-SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK examinations:
Subjective and objective refraction
Eye pressure
ATLAS/CRS Master (Corneal Mapping)
Tear quality and production
PENTACAM (Corneal Thickness)
GDS (Random Blood Sugar) Check
Physical eye examination
5. How long does the SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK procedure take?
SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK is an all-in-one laser procedure that lasts approximately 8 seconds.
6. SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK can eliminate minus and cylinder up to what size?
With the VISUMAX 800 machine, the refractive error that can be eliminated is a maximum of minus -10D, cylinder -5D.
7. What should I pay attention to after having SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
In principle, your eyes need to be used to seeing as soon as possible to speed up adaptation to your new vision. But, remember:
Don’t rub your eyes
Don’t get water in your eyes
Don’t apply makeup around your eyes
8. After SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK, can I go back to my activities immediately?
Basically, there are no restrictions on activities, and your eyes should be used to seeing as soon as possible to speed up the adaptation period.
Avoid dusty and smoky areas, extreme exercise, rubbing your eyes, swimming, or wearing makeup for two weeks.
9. What are the advantages of SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK compared to regular LASIK?
Minimally Invasive: Compared to LASIK, the corneal incision in SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK is 80% smaller. While a 20 mm incision is required to create a flap in LASIK, with SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK, the corneal incision is only 4 mm.
Bladeless: The SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK procedure uses Visumax, which speeds up the process and healing process.
Painless: Because the SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK procedure requires no corneal opening and is minimally invasive, patients experience greater comfort and pain.
Flapless: There are no flap-related complications, such as flap shifting or wrinkling.
Preserves Corneal Structure: Because there is no flap, the upper corneal structure is left untouched, resulting in greater corneal stability.
Reduces the Risk of Dry Eyes after Surgery: Reduces post-surgery dry eye symptoms because no action is taken on the upper corneal structure.
Night Vision: Reduces optical aberrations that occur because there is no flap in SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK.
10. What requirements must I meet before undergoing SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
The pre-SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK examination is very thorough, and if the patient is not a candidate for SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK, the doctor will not proceed. Here are some requirements for SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK:
The patient must be 18 years of age or older.
Healthy eyes.
Stable vision (stable eyeglass size for the past 6 months to 1 year).
Not currently breastfeeding or pregnant.
No corneal disease, significant retinal degeneration, severe dry eye, etc.
No systemic diseases that affect the eyes, such as lupus, diabetes mellitus with uncontrolled blood sugar levels, etc.
If using soft lenses, remove them after at least 2 weeks.
If using hard lenses, remove them after at least 3 weeks.
11. What are the side effects of SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
Side effects of SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK vary from person to person, but commonly experienced by patients include glare and dryness. All of these side effects are usually temporary and will gradually disappear several months after SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK.
12. How long is the recovery process after undergoing SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
This is highly subjective and depends on each patient’s circumstances, but in general:
For the first 2-3 hours after SMILE Pro Flapless LASIK, vision will be slightly hazy and uncomfortable.
Within 24 hours, patients enjoy significantly better vision than when wearing glasses, but there are still side effects such as dryness and glare.
The first week, vision becomes clearer but still a little unstable.
The second week and beyond, vision will clearer until patients can enjoy vision without glasses.
13. What if myopia returns after SMILE Pro Flapless LASIK?
Generally, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and eye health, your nearsightedness will not return. However, we offer a Lifetime Protection program with terms and conditions.
14. Where can I undergo SMILE® Pro Flapless LASIK?
Ciputra SMG Eye Clinic Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali.