Questions patients ask before vision correction surgery

If vision decreases after surgery, it is most commonly due to myopic regression or dry eye. Myopic regression occurs when changes in the cornea lead to a partial return of nearsightedness and is typically identifiable within days after surgery. Vision changes related to dry eye are more common and may develop due to postoperative dryness, lifestyle factors, or environmental conditions. These symptoms can usually be improved with proper dry eye management and care. If necessary, enhancement options may be considered depending on the amount of remaining corneal tissue. These may include procedures such as LASEK or Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery. Additionally, presbyopia (age-related difficulty with near vision) is not directly related to whether vision correction surgery has been performed and may still occur naturally over time.

After SMILE surgery, a follow-up check-up is typically performed within 1–2 weeks to evaluate healing and surgical outcomes. After that, additional visits are optional unless you experience significant changes in vision or discomfort. However, because eye health involves more than just the cornea — such as the retina and optic nerve, which can affect vision — annual comprehensive eye exams are strongly recommended, regardless of whether you have undergone vision correction surgery.

After SMILE surgery, temporary side effects such as glare, nighttime halos, and dry eye symptoms may occur. In most cases, these resolve naturally within a few weeks and can be managed with artificial tears or prescribed medications. In rare cases, visual recovery may be slower, or a small residual refractive error may remain. If necessary, enhancement procedures can be performed. Serious complications such as corneal inflammation or opacity are extremely rare and are typically treatable with medication when detected early.

After SMILE surgery, vision may be slightly blurry on the day of the procedure. However, most patients experience clear vision starting the next day. Temporary symptoms such as glare, halos, or dry eye may occur depending on corneal healing and dryness, but these typically improve within 1–2 weeks. Vision generally stabilizes during this period, with final visual outcomes achieved within 1–3 months. Recovery speed and visual outcomes vary depending on individual eye conditions and preoperative vision. Additional treatments such as corneal strengthening or dry eye management treatments may help enhance recovery and surgical results.

During all vision correction procedures, a device called a lid speculum is used to gently keep the eye open, preventing blinking. Eye movement is involuntary and cannot be fully controlled by the patient. To ensure accuracy, advanced laser systems are equipped with eye fixation and tracking technology (such as VisuMax fixation and Amaris Red eye-tracking systems), which monitor and compensate for eye movement in real time. In extremely rare cases where fixation is lost, the surgeon will determine whether to safely continue the procedure or convert to an alternative method such as LASEK, depending on the situation.

SMILE involves creating a lenticule within the cornea using a femtosecond laser and then removing it through a small incision. The laser application time is approximately 23–30 seconds per eye. With the upgraded SMILE Pro, which uses the VisuMax 800, the same surgical technique is performed with improved laser performance. As a result, the laser treatment time is reduced to approximately 10 seconds per eye, allowing for a faster and more precise procedure.

For both your examination and surgery, you must stop wearing contact lenses prior to your visit: • Rigid (hard) or toric lenses: at least 2 weeks • Soft contact lenses: at least 5 days • Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses: at least 1 month Please avoid excessive fatigue and alcohol before surgery. If you are taking heart-related medications or blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, you must inform your doctor during consultation to determine whether these medications should be discontinued approximately one week prior to surgery. On the day of surgery, please avoid makeup (except basic skincare such as toner or lotion), perfume, hairspray, or other sprays, as these may interfere with laser equipment. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to lie down easily (avoid hooded sweatshirts, short skirts, or boots). Because vision may be temporarily affected immediately after surgery, driving is not recommended. Please use public transportation or arrange for a ride, and having a companion is strongly encouraged.

Corneal strengthening, formally known as Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL), is a procedure that applies Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) to the cornea followed by controlled ultraviolet light exposure. This process strengthens the collagen fibers within the cornea. CXL is commonly recommended for patients with thin corneas or those who require significant corneal tissue removal. Strengthening the cornea helps protect against external stress and can prevent or slow the progression of keratoconus and myopic regression. The safety and effectiveness of this treatment have been validated through U.S. FDA approval.

Yes. SMILE can correct astigmatism in addition to nearsightedness. Advances in technology and clinical research now allow for the treatment of higher levels of astigmatism than in earlier years. However, candidacy and the most suitable procedure can only be confirmed after a thorough preoperative evaluation.

Both SMILE and SMILE Pro are lenticule-based vision correction procedures. The primary difference lies in the laser technology used. SMILE Pro is performed using the VisuMax 800, which offers a faster femtosecond laser, enhanced eye-tracking and centration technology, and improved astigmatism correction capabilities. These advancements allow for greater precision, stability, and overall patient satisfaction.

Vision correction procedures include LASEK, LASIK, SMILE, and Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery. Each option differs based on how the cornea is treated. The best procedure is determined after a comprehensive eye examination, which evaluates factors such as corneal thickness, the amount of tissue that can be safely removed, corneal endothelial cell health, eye anatomy, astigmatism, and overall ocular condition. Your lifestyle and visual needs are also carefully considered before recommending the most appropriate treatment.