SMILE has been recently FDA approved for the treatment of myopia (nearsightedness). Unlike LASIK, there is no corneal flap with the SMILE procedure. A femtosecond laser is used to carve a small lenticule out of the center of the cornea and create a small tunnel to remove the lenticule. When the lenticule is removed, the surface of the cornea flattens to correct the prescription. The advantage of SMILE is a smaller incision, which could result in fewer complications such as dry eye. In some cases, SMILE may be more precise than LASIK. People who are hyperopic (farsighted) are not candidates for SMILE.
