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Dr. Khambati is among the first in the country to offer
ZEISS SMILE Pro Procedure
The most advanced laser vision correction system currently available in the U.S.
Do Your EYES SMILE?
Do you dream of waking up with crisp, clear vision every morning without needing glasses or contact lenses? One vision correction procedure that can help you achieve your goals of visual freedom is SMILE.
Lake Lazer Eye Center is excited to bring this revolutionary procedure to our patients, including those who may not be good LASIK candidates. Millions of people worldwide have benefited from the SMILE procedure, and Dr. Khambati is pleased to be one of the first surgeons in the U.S. to perform this advanced procedure for his patients.
What is SMILE?
SMILE is a laser vision correction procedure that corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism. Like other laser vision correction procedures, SMILE is all-laser, meaning no blades are used during the procedure.
However, one thing that sets SMILE apart from other procedures is that it’s also a flapless procedure, which makes it quite different from LASIK. LASIK requires creating a flap, but with SMILE, this step is not necessary. For this reason, SMILE may be ideal for patients with thinner corneas.
The SMILE procedure uses a femtosecond laser to create an opening that’s less than 4 millimeters on the surface of your eye and then a tiny “lenticule: in the cornea. The lenticule is about the size of a contact lens and is a small lens-shaped piece of tissue. Then your surgeon will gently remove the lenticule through the same incision.
Through this process, SMILE reshapes the cornea, which corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism, ensuring that you can achieve the vision you desire. SMILE only takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, making it a minimally invasive and simple way to correct your eyesight and get back to what you love.
How is SMILE Different from LASIK?
Although SMILE and LASIK may seem like very similar procedures, they have some differences. One of these is that LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. SMILE can only correct nearsightedness and astigmatism.
Another difference between SMILE and LASIK is that LASIK requires creating a flap in the cornea. The flap is crucial to correcting refractive errors and providing patients with visual freedom from glasses and contact lenses.
However, creating a flap during LASIK is only safe if a patient has corneas that are a sufficient thickness. If the corneas are too thin, creating a flap can result in severe complications or visual problems after LASIK.
SMILE doesn’t involve creating a flap of any kind. Instead, a lenticule and a small incision are made to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. SMILE is an excellent vision correction procedure for patients that may not be good candidates for LASIK because their corneas are too thin.
Am I a Good SMILE Candidate?
Because SMILE is a surgical procedure, it’s not something everyone can undergo. The only way to determine if you’re a good candidate for SMILE is to schedule a consultation at Lake Lazer Eye Center in the Detroit area.
However, you may be a good SMILE candidate if the following applies to you:
- You’re nearsighted, have astigmatism, or have a combination of these refractive errors
- You’re 22 years of age or older
- You have a stable prescription that’s remained unchanged for a year or more
- You have healthy eyes, especially your cornea
- You’re an athlete and like the idea of not having to worry about dislodging a flap, as could be the case with LASIK
- You’re in good health
- You have dry eyes that make you an unsuitable candidate for LASIK
- You have realistic expectations about what SMILE can achieve
If the above sounds like you, you may be a good SMILE candidate. During your consultation at Lake Lazer Eye Center, we will conduct a comprehensive eye exam, including measuring your pupils, visual acuity, and more, to ensure that it’s safe for you to undergo SMILE. Find out if you could be a good SMILE candidate by taking the self-test below!
What Can I Expect During SMILE?
During the SMILE eye surgery procedure at Lake Lazer Eye Center in Detroit, we will begin by welcoming you and ensuring you feel comfortable. If you’re nervous, we may offer you a light sedative to help you relax. Once we go through any additional questions, we will begin the procedure.
You’ll receive numbing eye drops to ensure you’re comfortable, and these will have an opportunity to spread across the surface of your eye. Next, you’ll relax in the treatment chair, and your surgeon will use a femtosecond laser to create the SMILE lenticule.
The lenticule is about the size and shape of a contact lens. The lenticule is removed through an incision that’s about four millimeters in length.
By doing this, light can enter your eye correctly without the need for visual aids like glasses or contact lenses.
After removing the lenticule, there is no need for any stitches, as the incision will heal on its own. Once the SMILE procedure is over, you’ll rest and relax.
Many patients notice immediate improvements in their vision following SMILE. The SMILE procedure only takes about ten to fifteen minutes to complete and is an incredible way to enhance your vision.
Your vision may be blurry or unstable due to the numbing eye drops, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home following the procedure. For this reason, you must have a trusted friend or family member take you home.
What is the Recovery from SMILE Like?
Once you’ve had SMILE, you’ll go home to recover. Although it is a surgical procedure, you don’t have to worry about an extended or lengthy recovery.
After your SMILE procedure, you’ll want to rest for the day. As the numbing eye drops wear off, your eyes may feel scratchy, itchy, or cause general discomfort.
These feelings should go away on their own in a day or two, but you can always use an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. One of the best things you can do is nap when you get home, as it will allow your eyes time to start healing.
Many patients find they can return to work the day after having SMILE, but every patient is different. You’ll receive eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation, so it’s essential to take these exactly as directed by your ophthalmologist.
A key component of your SMILE recovery is attending all follow-up appointments. You’ll need to go to your first one the day after having SMILE to ensure that your eyes are healing properly and that there are no complications or signs of infection.
You’ll need to schedule additional follow-up appointments as your eye surgeon recommends. After SMILE, most patients can drive, go to work, wear makeup, and participate in their favorite sports just a few days later.
Are you ready to change your life? Take the first step and find out if you could be a good SMILE candidate by scheduling your consultation at Lake Lazer Eye Center in Detroit, MI, today!
SMILE Pro FAQ
If you’ve been researching laser vision correction and wondering whether there’s an option that’s gentle, fast and designed for active lifestyles, SMILE Pro at Lake Lazer Eye Center may be the perfect fit. Below, we’ve gathered answers to the questions Michigan patients ask most — all in one easy, patient-friendly guide.
