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If you have been considering any sort of vision correction surgery, you may have come across SMILE in your research. SMILE is a relatively new procedure that can improve your vision. It has become increasingly popular, especially in certain areas of the world. SMILE in Korea, for example, is a highly sought after procedure. Furthermore, Korean clinics that perform SMILE surgeries have some of the best reputations in the world. For these reasons, thousands of people each year elect to have their operations done in Korean clinics.
Though SMILE and other vision correction surgeries are considered to be minor operations, it’s always a good idea to be well-read on any operation that you are having. There are a few reasons for this. The main reason is that you want to understand what is going on when medical professionals are doing an operation on you. This is critical for your own health; if you understand the procedures that are being done, you can accurately describe your condition and medical history to the medical staff that is treating you. You also want to know what your procedure typically involves so that you can be confident that you are getting the best care possible.
It’s important to remember that though your doctor is doing the operations and caring for you, you are in charge of medical decisions for your health in the end. For you to be able to make the best decision possible, you need to have a good understanding of each procedure that you go through. Getting an operation like SMILE in Korea is no different. When it comes to vision correction surgery, there are many options. SMILE is just one of them. If you are considering SMILE vision correction surgery, understanding the steps, benefits, drawbacks, and side effects is a natural and logical step in the process.
SMILE is an acronym. It stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. The SMILE operation aims at improving vision and it’s one of the most modern and cutting edge surgeries available to people who need vision correction surgery. This operation is designed to fix the condition of myopia, which is otherwise known as nearsightedness. It is compared a lot to LASIK, which is another vision correction surgery that is very common. However, it differs in that it is much less invasive and thus there is less potential for complications resulting from the surgery.
The most prominent feature of the SMILE procedure is how precise it is. Unlike a lot of other vision correction surgeries, SMILE is a one-step procedure. Like other vision correction surgeries, SMILE uses a computer-guided laser to perform the surgery. This ensures speed and accuracy. This is standard in vision correction surgeries, but SMILE takes the simplicity a step further by being a one-step procedure with very low invasiveness.
During the surgery, the computer-guided laser makes a small precise cut in the cornea. After the cut is made, a small portion of the cornea is removed. This is also known as a lenticule. Through the removal of a small portion of the cornea, your vision can be repaired and the surgery is successful. A great thing about SMILE is that it has all the same effects as other vision correction surgeries with the added precision of the cutting edge technology.
The term “minimally invasive” is one that you often hear about basic procedures, but what does that really mean? In the case of SMILE, it means that it is a very simple procedure that has been perfected to achieve as little damage as possible to your eye. The whole procedure with the computer-guided laser can actually be completed in under 30 seconds. Obviously, this is very impressive for an operation that can have such a positive impact on your vision. It’s also great for those looking for a very short recovery time. We are all busy in our lives, and although we may sometimes need vision correction surgery, we don’t want to spend a lot of time on it. SMILE allows you to have the best of both worlds. It is both fast and effective.
We have already established that SMILE is minimally invasive, but where does it stack up when compared to the other vision correction surgeries? The alternative to SMILE is LASIK. Compared to LASIK, SMILE is much less invasive of a procedure. In the typical LASIK procedure, a flap is made in the cornea which corrects your vision. This incision is pretty large when compared to the incision that is made by SMILE. The incision made by a SMILE procedure is only 3mm long while the incision made by LASIK is much larger at 20mm. The smaller incision size allows for a reduced risk of complications, recovery time, and operation duration.
One of the drawbacks of LASIK is that it requires the creation of a flap that is created during the surgery. The creation of the flap complicates things and adds extra steps to the procedure. Though it is very rare, complications can arise from this flap and any irregularity involving the flap of corneal tissue. SMILE eliminates any possibility of flap-related complications because the procedure does not include the formation of a flap at all.
Obviously, in any medical procedure safety is a huge concern and a factor in your decision to get the procedure or to avoid it. Those looking into SMILE surgery will be happy to know that it is every bit as safe as LASIK, which is considered to be an incredibly safe operation. In fact, SMILE may actually be safer than LASIK. In addition to being a very safe procedure, SMILE also involves a short recovery time. Following the SMILE operation, it only takes 1-2 days to experience the positive results of SMILE. The results are nearly instant.
Though LASIK has an extremely high success rate and level of safety, some patients have been known to find the noise produced by the procedure slightly annoying. This noise is produced by a secondary laser known as an excimer laser. Since the SMILE procedure has no need for this type of laser, no annoying noise is produced and patients report a much more pleasurable experience.
One of the most common side effects that patients experience after some eye surgeries is dry eye syndrome. As its name implies, it causes the eyes to dry out and become uncomfortable. Because SMILE involves only one small incision in the corneal tissue, the risk for dry eye syndrome is almost completely mitigated.
A lot of people who are considering vision correction surgery wonder whether they are a better candidate for LASIK or SMILE. Though both of these operations aim to correct the same condition, some people are suited better for SMILE than they are for LASIK. There are three basic conditions that can qualify you for SMILE instead of LASIK:
These conditions can mean that you are not a suitable candidate for LASIK. That leaves SMILE as a great alternative for those who need vision correction surgery but can’t because of complications that disqualify them from LASIK eye surgery.
For those who need or want vision correction surgery, there are many options. Getting SMILE in Korea could be the best option for you. However, as with any medical procedure, some people are better suited for particular types of surgery. Vision correction surgery is no exception. SMILE and LASIK are both considered to be fast, safe, and affordable. For some, SMILE is a better option because of the one-step process and suitability for those with thin corneas or high-impact athletes.
SMILE has revolutionized vision correction surgery and if you are looking to improve your vision through laser surgery, you should consult with your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for SMILE in Korea.
