Modesto patients are nowadays highly inclined to correct their eyesight through refractive surgeries. Although LASIK is the most renowned option for improving your vision, SMILE has also gained popularity recently. If you have decided to get a refractive surgery done, LASIK is the most viable choice and is more invasive than SMILE. 

Although Modesto provides both surgeries at roughly the same price, Lasik surgery in Modesto is considered the best laser-guided operation to reshape the cornea. So, which should you choose between LASIK and SMILE? Based on your requirements, one gets preference over another! 

What is LASIK?

One of the fundamental differences between LASIK and SMILE is that a circular corneal flap is made first in the case of LASIK with a femtosecond laser. Once done, the surgeon raises the corneal flap, followed by an excimer laser to modify the underlying stroma by pulling out the proper corneal tissue for vision rectification. 

What is SMILE?

SMILE, aka Small Incision Lenticule Extraction surgery, is another type of laser-based vision correction surgery. It’s designed to correct astigmatism and nearsightedness to boost the patient’s vision. During this surgery, a Visumax femtosecond laser is utilized to create pulses that will set up an outline of a lens-shaped and thin piece of corneal tissue known as a lenticule. After that, this laser is applied to generate a keyhole incision, mainly no more than 3.8 mm long, providing the surgeon access to pull out the lenticule. This is how your vision gets corrected through SMILE surgery. 

Who’s the Ideal Candidate for SMILE?

If the patients have astigmatism, myopia, or both, SMILE eye surgery is the best to consider. The ideal candidate for this surgery should have:

• A concern or tendency to dry eyes – Due to the minimal cornea incision, the patient may experience minimum sensations of dry eyes.

• A greater extent of nearsightedness – It can be used for patients with myopia from -1.00D to -10.00D. 

Who’s the Ideal Candidate for LASIK?

Ideal candidates for LASIK should be 21 years and beyond and have general health conditions. It is a versatile procedure that helps correct refractive errors, including hyperopia. LASIK surgery has become an industry norm regarding credible laser vision correction, with over 19 million processes conducted in the USA alone. Approximately 94-100% of patients with minimum to moderate myopia have obtained 20/40 vision or more.   

Which is the best surgery, LASIK or SMILE?

Both LASIK & SMILE are the top-notch options for eradicating refractive errors. Both processes have gained similar traction, considering the contentment rate. Being around the market for years, people are more well-acquainted with LASIK than SMILE. 

They are laser-based treatments. While SMILE is permitted for use in astigmatism and hyperopia, its usage is limited compared to LASIK, having an extensive range. Do you fall outside the SMILE restrictions for astigmatism and myopia? If so, you’re the best candidate for LASIK!

The inability to create flaps in SMILE surgery has advantages, such as minimal risk of dry eyes or flap intricacies. Nevertheless, patients might have a better trajectory to obtain visual strength after SMILE and LASIK. Hence, adhering to your surgeon’s post-operative instructions is crucial to boost your recovery speed regardless of which one you choose.   

Conclusion

LASIK & SMILE laser eye surgeries are the verified processes for improved vision. Each helps correct refractive error by modifying the corneal tissues, providing similar long-lasting results. As each surgery possesses its own pros and cons, it’s crucial to talk to eye surgeons to get a recommendation customized to your thin corneas and innovative refractive errors.