About Small Incision Lenticule Extraction
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) is a type of surgery used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. In this surgery, the doctor uses a femtosecond laser (rather than an excimer laser) to carve out small parts of the cornea. Then, the removal of this tissue is performed using a lenticule stripper or forceps that take out the small piece of tissue from the cornea. This surgery is similar to the refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx).