Life without glasses is great
The SMILE laser eye surgery represents one of the most advanced methods for correcting refractive errors in the world. Thanks to its gentle approach, speed, and minimal invasiveness, this method has gained immense trust from patients. The end of 2024 marked a significant milestone in the history of eye surgery – 10 million successful SMILE procedures were performed. Eye Centre Prague is proud to be part of this exceptional achievement.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) laser eye surgery is one of the most modern and gentle methods for correcting refractive errors. The name SMILE refers to the small, curved incision resembling a smile. Through this incision, a thin layer of tissue, known as the lenticule, is carefully removed, which is created within the cornea by a femtosecond laser.
“The procedure utilizes a femtosecond laser, which precisely adjusts the refractive error without compromising the cornea's strength and stability. Thanks to its gentle approach and minimal interference with the eye, recovery is very quick. Patients notice an improvement in their vision immediately after the procedure, and most achieve 90–100% visual acuity as early as the second day,” explains Andrea Janeková, MD, FEBO, FEBOS-CR, the lead physician of cataract, refractive, and vitreoretinal surgery at Eye Centre Prague.
At the Eye Centre Prague, the most commonly used method for correcting refractive errors is SMILE. This method is the gentlest on the eye while also being the most precise. It is an ideal choice for patients suffering from myopia, or difficulty seeing clearly at a distance, as well as for those with astigmatism, an irregular curvature of the cornea causing blurred vision.
“Laser surgery is most often recommended for adults aged 20 to 45 whose refractive errors have been stable for at least one year. The suitability of the procedure is always determined during a preoperative examination, which assesses the overall condition of the eye, corneal thickness, and other key parameters,” explains Dr. Janeková, who performs SMILE laser surgeries at the Eye Centre Prague.
SMILE laser surgery is minimally invasive. It is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and is entirely painless. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes, during which one eye is treated first, followed immediately by the second. The actual laser correction of refractive errors takes only a few seconds. On the day of the surgery, patients are advised to relax and rest, but vision clarity typically stabilizes by the next day, allowing patients to return to work and normal activities. Full recovery of the eye is usually achieved within two weeks of the procedure.
“A major advantage of this method is not only the quick recovery time but also the minimization of risks, such as dry eye, which can be associated with other laser surgery techniques. Thanks to these benefits, SMILE is increasingly becoming the preferred method among both patients and eye surgeons,” adds Dr. Janeková.
One of the greatest benefits of SMILE laser surgery is its immediate and long-term results. “By the second day after the surgery, most patients achieve up to 90% visual acuity, allowing them to return to their regular activities. At the one-week follow-up, patients often report not only 100% vision but in some cases even surpassing 100%, with 110% sharpness—clarity they had never experienced before, even with glasses or contact lenses,” says Dr. Janeková.
This rapid transformation in vision has a profound impact on quality of life. Many patients describe how the procedure freed them from dependency on glasses or contact lenses, opening new opportunities in work, sports, and daily life. Patient satisfaction with the SMILE method is high, and the results often exceed expectations. The surgery not only delivers better vision but also a true change for the better in their lives.
Ten million satisfied eyes worldwide are clear proof of this success.
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