SMILE Pro 2.0 is a minimally invasive, flapless laser vision correction procedure designed to correct myopia and astigmatism with precision. Using a femtosecond laser, vision is corrected through a small corneal incision, offering clear everyday vision, minimal disruption to the corneal surface, and greater freedom from glasses and contact lenses.
SMILE Pro 2.0 (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a modern form of laser vision correction used to treat myopia and astigmatism. Unlike FemtoLASIK, SMILE Pro 2.0 is a flapless procedure and requires only a small incision in the cornea, leaving most of the corneal surface undisturbed.
During treatment, the ZEISS femtosecond laser creates a thin, precisely shaped layer of corneal tissue called a lenticule, beneath the corneal surface. This lenticule is removed through the small incision, reshaping the cornea so that light can focus more accurately on the retina and improving vision.
Because there is no corneal flap, SMILE Pro 2.0 involves less disruption to the surface of the eye and offers a comfortable recovery with many patients returning to their usual activities relatively quickly. It is particularly suited to patients looking for a minimally invasive alternative to FemtoLASIK while still achieving effective correction of their spectacle prescription.
SMILE Pro 2.0 is performed using the ZEISS VisuMax 800, an advanced femtosecond laser designed specifically for precise and efficient corneal refractive surgery.
During treatment, the laser creates a precisely shaped lenticule within the cornea together with the small incision used for its removal, without the need to create a corneal flap. Operating at a laser pulse repetition rate of 2000 kHz, the VisuMax 800 creates the lenticule in less than 10 seconds for standard myopic treatments, shortening laser and suction time.
The system also incorporates computer-assisted eye-tracking technologies, CentraLign® and OcuLign® to support accurate positioning and treatment delivery.
SMILE Pro 2.0 is a minimally invasive form of laser vision correction that combines precise treatment with a flapless technique, fast recovery, and excellent visual outcomes for suitable patients.
SMILE Pro 2.0 corrects vision through a small corneal incision without creating a flap. This eliminates flap-related complications and preserves more of the natural structure of the cornea.
SMILE Pro 2.0 preserves more of the corneal nerve network because it uses a small access incision rather than creating a large corneal flap. With fewer corneal nerve fibres disrupted, corneal sensation and mechanisms involved in tear production are better preserved, resulting in a lower risk of postoperative dry eye compared to FemtoLASIK.
Without a corneal flap, there is no long-term concern about flap displacement. This makes SMILE Pro 2.0 particularly attractive for patients who participate in contact sports or other physically demanding activities.
The small incision and limited disruption to the corneal surface generally result in little discomfort after treatment, with most patients experiencing only mild irritation or sensitivity during the early recovery period.
Vision begins to improve soon after treatment, and many patients are able to return to work and normal daily activities within 2 to 3 days.
Recovery typically involves a short course of postoperative eye drops and fewer follow-up requirements than surface laser procedures such as Transepithelial-PRK, making the overall treatment journey relatively convenient.
By reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses, SMILE Pro 2.0 reduces the recurring costs of replacing prescription eyewear, purchasing contact lenses, and buying cleaning solutions over the years.
SMILE Pro 2.0 is particularly well suited to adults who want effective vision correction without the creation of a corneal flap. Its minimally invasive approach preserves more of the corneal surface and causes less disruption to corneal nerves than LASIK, making it an attractive option for patients concerned about postoperative dry eye or those with corneal characteristics that favour a flapless procedure.
You are eligible for SMILE if you:
During your SMILE Pro 2.0 suitability assessment, we will also assess whether other vision correction options we offer may be suited to your eyes, lifestyle, and visual goals. Alternatives such as FemtoLASIK, SafeSight Transepithelial-PRK (TransPRK), and EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (EVO ICL) may also be suited to your eyes.
| FemtoLASIK | SMILE Pro 2.0 | SafeSight Transepithelial PRK | EVO ICL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | A thin corneal flap is created before the cornea is reshaped with a laser | Flapless procedure where a lenticule is removed through a small corneal incision | Flapless surface laser treatment | A lens is implanted between the iris and natural lens |
| Procedure Time (per eye) | 10 to 15 minutes | 3 to 5 minutes | 3 to 5 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Correction | Myopia, hyperopia & astigmatism | Myopia & astigmatism | Myopia, hyperopia & astigmatism | Myopia, hyperopia & astigmatism |
| Downtime | 2 to 3 days | 2 to 3 days | 5 days | 2 to 3 days |
Depending on your corneal thickness and shape, corneal cross-linking may be recommended alongside laser vision correction to provide additional strengthening. Learn more about the procedure here.
From finding out whether SMILE Pro 2.0 is right for you to returning to clearer vision, we will guide you through each stage of the process. Your journey begins with a detailed suitability assessment, followed by personalised treatment planning, your minimally invasive SMILE Pro 2.0 procedure, and structured aftercare as your vision settles.
Your first step is a comprehensive assessment of your vision, prescription and eye health. Detailed measurements of your cornea are taken to assess its shape, thickness and overall suitability for SMILE Pro 2.0.
To ensure these measurements are accurate, contact lenses should be stopped before your assessment:
We will review these findings together with your lifestyle, visual needs and expectations, while also considering other vision correction options such as FemtoLASIK, SafeSight Transepithelial-PRK, EVO Implantable Collamer Lens and Refractive Lens Exchange.
Your suitability assessment and SMILE Pro 2.0 procedure are performed on separate days, allowing your measurements to be reviewed carefully before treatment is planned. Before your procedure, we will provide clear preparation instructions, including when to stop contact lens wear. We will also explain your post-operative eye drops, aftercare, and temporary activity restrictions. You should also arrange for someone to accompany you home as you will not be able to drive immediately after SMILE Pro 2.0.
SMILE Pro 2.0 is performed while you are awake using anaesthetic eye drops to keep your eyes comfortable. A small device gently keeps your eyelids open, so you do not need to worry about blinking during treatment.
The procedure is performed one eye at a time. Using a femtosecond laser, a thin, precisely shaped layer of corneal tissue called a lenticule is created within the cornea, together with a small access incision. Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is created.
You may notice some pressure and temporary dimming of your vision while the laser is applied. The lenticule is then gently separated and removed through the small incision. Removing it changes the curvature of the cornea according to your treatment plan, allowing light to focus more accurately on the retina.
The laser portion of the procedure is very quick, and both eyes can usually be treated during the same session.
Your vision will usually be hazy or slightly blurred immediately after treatment, with improvement occurring progressively over the first several hours and days.
As the anaesthetic drops wear off, your eyes may feel mildly gritty, watery or sensitive to light. Discomfort is generally limited because the corneal surface is only minimally disturbed. Resting your eyes for the remainder of the day and using your prescribed eye drops as directed will support the early healing process.
Because there is no corneal flap, recovery is straightforward and many patients are able to return to work and routine daily activities within a few days. Swimming, strenuous exercise, contact sports and eye makeup should still be avoided temporarily while the eyes heal.
Your first follow-up allows us to assess your vision, examine the corneal incision and ensure that your eyes are healing as expected.
Vision usually continues to sharpen over the following days and may continue to stabilise over the subsequent weeks. Further follow-up appointments allow us to monitor your recovery, assess your visual result and manage any temporary dryness, fluctuations or other symptoms while your eyes settle.
Because SMILE Pro 2.0 preserves more of the corneal surface and nerve network than flap-based laser procedures, recovery is generally comfortable with a relatively low incidence of dry eye symptoms. Our team remains available throughout your recovery should you have any questions or concerns after your procedure.
A comprehensive assessment allows us to evaluate your prescription, corneal profile and overall eye health, and determine whether SMILE Pro 2.0 is the most appropriate vision correction option for you.
Book a consultation with us today to explore your options for glasses independence.
SMILE Pro 2.0 represents the newer generation of SMILE treatment performed using the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser. The fundamental principle remains the same: a precisely shaped lenticule is created within the cornea and removed through a small incision without creating a LASIK flap. The newer platform provides faster laser delivery together with computer-assisted centration and cyclotorsion alignment to improve control and treatment precision.
Good candidates are adults with a stable prescription, healthy corneas and a refractive error that falls within the appropriate treatment range. Suitability depends on more than your spectacle power alone. Corneal thickness and shape, tear-film health, previous eye surgery and the overall health of the eye are assessed before treatment.
Yes. SMILE Pro is designed to correct myopia with or without astigmatism. The treatment reshapes the cornea according to both the spherical and astigmatic components of your prescription, allowing a single procedure to address both forms of refractive error.
SMILE is particularly useful across a broad range of myopic prescriptions, including higher levels of myopia in appropriately selected eyes. However, the maximum correction that is safe for an individual patient depends on corneal thickness, corneal shape and the amount of tissue required for treatment. A high prescription therefore does not automatically exclude you from SMILE, but detailed corneal assessment becomes especially important.
Corneal thickness is considered together with the amount of correction required and the overall shape and structural characteristics of the cornea. Because SMILE does not create a large corneal flap, its tissue mechanics differ from LASIK, but this does not mean that every patient with a thin cornea is automatically suitable. Detailed corneal imaging is required to determine whether laser vision correction can be performed safely.
SMILE uses a small access incision instead of creating a large corneal flap. As a result, fewer of the corneal nerves involved in maintaining corneal sensation and tear-film regulation are disrupted. This is one reason postoperative dry-eye symptoms are generally less prominent after SMILE than after LASIK.
FemtoLASIK creates a corneal flap before an excimer laser reshapes the underlying cornea. SMILE Pro uses a femtosecond laser to create a lenticule within the cornea, which is removed through a small incision without creating a flap. Both procedures can provide excellent refractive correction, but their surgical approach, recovery profile and suitability for different corneal characteristics vary.
Both are flapless procedures, but they correct vision in different ways. TransPRK treats the surface of the cornea and requires the surface epithelial layer to regenerate following treatment. SMILE works beneath the corneal surface through a small incision, leaving most of the surface epithelium intact. This generally allows a more comfortable and faster initial recovery than surface laser procedures.
The procedure is performed using anaesthetic eye drops, so patients generally experience pressure or unusual visual sensations rather than pain during treatment. Because only a small incision is created and the corneal surface is minimally disturbed, postoperative discomfort is usually limited.
You do not need to keep your eye open yourself. A small eyelid holder prevents blinking during treatment. Once the eye is correctly positioned and treatment begins, the eye is gently stabilised against the laser interface. The VISUMAX 800 also incorporates computer-assisted centration and cyclotorsion alignment to assist accurate treatment positioning.
The VISUMAX 800 uses a high-speed femtosecond laser, allowing the laser portion of myopic SMILE Pro treatment to be completed in under 10 seconds. Additional time is required for preparation and removal of the lenticule, so the complete procedure takes longer than the laser application itself.
Vision usually begins improving soon after treatment and continues to sharpen as the cornea settles. Some patients achieve functional vision by the following day, although slight haze, fluctuation or variation between the two eyes can occur during the early recovery period.
Many patients return to office-based work and routine daily activities within the first few days. The exact timing depends on visual recovery, the nature of your work and how comfortable your eyes feel. Occupations involving dust, water, physical contact or environments with a higher risk of eye injury may require a longer period away from work.
Light activities can generally be resumed relatively quickly, while swimming, strenuous exercise and contact sports should be avoided during the initial healing period. An important long-term advantage of SMILE for active individuals is that there is no corneal flap that can subsequently be displaced by trauma. Your surgeon will advise when each activity can safely be resumed.
The corneal reshaping produced by SMILE is permanent in the sense that the removed lenticule does not grow back. However, your eyes remain living structures and can undergo natural changes over time. Small prescription changes, presbyopia and cataract development can therefore affect vision later in life even when the original SMILE correction remains stable.
A degree of refractive regression can occur after any form of laser vision correction, particularly with larger prescriptions or if the prescription was not completely stable before treatment. Most patients maintain their correction well, but long-term changes in the eye can occasionally result in some return of short-sightedness or astigmatism.
A small residual prescription does not necessarily mean that further treatment is required, particularly if everyday vision is already satisfactory. If the remaining prescription is visually significant and has stabilised, an enhancement can be considered. The appropriate method depends on your corneal measurements, original treatment and the amount of correction required.
No. SMILE corrects refractive error at the level of the cornea but does not prevent the natural ageing of the lens inside the eye. Presbyopia typically develops as the natural lens gradually loses its ability to focus at near. Someone who has excellent distance vision after SMILE may therefore still require reading glasses later in life.
Yes. Previous SMILE surgery does not prevent cataract surgery in the future. However, because the cornea has been reshaped, your previous refractive surgery should be taken into account when calculating the power of the lens implant used during cataract surgery. Keeping records of your previous laser vision correction can therefore be useful.
The best procedure is determined by the interaction between your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, tear-film health, age, lifestyle and visual priorities rather than by choosing a technology in isolation. A comprehensive refractive assessment allows these factors to be evaluated together so that SMILE Pro 2.0 can be compared with FemtoLASIK, SafeSight Transepithelial PRK and EVO ICL, and the treatment best matched to your eyes can be recommended.
