Refractive surgery is a great medical procedure for correcting refractive vision permanently for those who are tired of relying on burdens like glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. In 2026, LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) are two popular and advanced surgical techniques that have revolutionised vision correction by promoting the freedom from the inconveniences of visual aids.
As a leading LASIK and SMILE surgery hospital in Kolkata, we are going to explore the differences as well as similarities between these surgeries clearly in this blog, so you can make an informed choice that is suited for your eyes.
Understanding LASIK & SMILE Eye Surgery
Know everything about LASIK:
Procedure:
It is a commonly performed surgery for vision corrections, and after examining the eyes, LASIK surgeons make this surgery plan by the three main steps-
- A femtosecond laser is used to gently make a flap in the cornea of the inner eye.
- Then, tiny tissues of the cornea are reshaped with an excimer laser technique.
Finally, the flap is repositioned to its previous place successfully. The flap will heal without sutures.
Benefits:
- About 10-15 minutes is taken for the total process per eye.
- Generally, patients regain clear vision within 48 hours, and there is also minimal discomfort.
- Corrects a wide range of refractive vision errors( myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism).
- LASIK surgeons may tailor customised procedures according to the shape of the cornea and refractive error of each patient for better results.
Risk & limitations:
- Dry eyes. It usually improves within a month with the prescribed drops from the LASIK specialists.
- Night vision problem, but it's a temporary discomfort.
- Flap displacement: Doctors advise not to rub the eyes to prevent this.
- Temporary vision fluctuation.
- This surgery is not suitable for everyone.
Eligible:
LASIK is suitable for those patients who are
- Adult people with stable eye power.
- People with healthy corneas(not thin) in their eyes.
- Men and women with no dry eye complications.
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