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SMILE Pro - A Revolutionary Laser Eye Surgery Procedure From London
SMILE Pro (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the latest evolution in laser eye surgery. Unlike traditional procedures that require surface ablation or the creation of a corneal flap, SMILE Pro corrects vision through a small keyhole incision. This minimally invasive approach preserves more of the cornea’s natural structure while delivering highly precise visual outcomes.
What is SMILE Pro?
SMILE Pro is a modern laser vision correction procedure designed to correct short-sightedness and astigmatism with a minimally invasive approach. Instead of creating a corneal flap, the laser reshapes the eye from within the cornea, allowing vision to be corrected through a small access opening.
For many patients, this technique offers a more comfortable recovery and can be particularly appealing for people with active lifestyles or those concerned about dry or sensitive eyes. By preserving more of the corneal surface and structure, SMILE Pro supports both visual quality and long-term corneal stability.
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How does SMILE Pro work?
Safety and Comfort: The minimally invasive nature of SMILE Pro makes for a faster and more comfortable experience for patients, both during and after the procedure. The keyhole approach helps to retain the strength of the cornea, which can help to significantly reduce the severity and duration of common Laser Eye Surgery side effects such as dry eyes.
Treatment and Recovery Time: Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of this procedure doesn’t become apparent until after the surgery. SMILE offers the fastest recovery time of all Laser Eye Surgery procedures. While the procedure itself is over in minutes, many patients will find that the surface of their eyes is healed in just a matter of days.
Suitability and High Prescriptions: The development of SMILE Pro opened up the possibility of Laser Eye Surgery to more people than ever before, including many who may have been previously found unsuitable for treatment. Leaving the surface layer of the cornea intact allows for more demanding prescriptions to be safely treated. Moreover, patients with pre-operative dry eyes or thinner corneas are often also candidates for SMILE.
The Advantages of SMILE Pro
SMILE Pro represents the latest evolution in minimally invasive laser eye surgery. Unlike traditional LASIK, SMILE Pro is a flap-free procedure. Vision is corrected through a small keyhole incision, preserving more of the natural corneal structure and supporting long-term biomechanical stability.
Because no large corneal flap is created, many patients experience reduced risk of dry eye symptoms compared with flap-based procedures. The smaller incision also means fewer corneal nerves are disrupted, contributing to greater postoperative comfort and a smoother recovery profile.
SMILE Pro is particularly well suited to patients with myopia and astigmatism, including those with active lifestyles. The absence of a flap removes concerns about flap displacement after contact sports or physical activity.
The procedure itself is remarkably fast. The latest generation laser technology allows treatment to be completed in just seconds per eye, enhancing precision while reducing the time the eye is under suction.
Importantly, SMILE Pro delivers highly predictable visual outcomes. Backed by extensive clinical research and global adoption, it has become one of the most advanced and trusted forms of laser vision correction available today.
At London Vision Clinic, SMILE Pro is offered as part of a fully personalised treatment pathway, ensuring that suitability is carefully assessed and that each patient receives the most appropriate solution for their eyes.
What do you think are the main advantages of SMILE over LASIK or PRK?
Each procedure has its benefits, but we evaluate the suitability of each treatment on a patient-by-patient basis. At London Vision Clinic, all three procedures are charged at the same rate and are all discussed openly with our patients. However, as mentioned before, there will always be a reason for me to choose one procedure over another for any particular patient; I do not offer “options” and allow the patient to choose the procedure. It’s all or nothing with only the best option on the table.
Seen as the ‘latest technology’ procedure, what do you think about SMILE?
The reality is that even in SMILE’s relative infancy compared to LASIK, the results are impressive. SMILE means that clinics are now able to offer procedures that best suit their patients and add another tool for refractive surgeons to use to help best serve their patients. With over 1.5 million procedures performed to date, this is proving a great option for many patients.
In fact, we have written a textbook on SMILE, which was released in April 2018, with many chapters dedicated to educating Surgeons on the procedure and busting any myths out there.
The Cons of SMILE Pro
Limited Prescriptions: SMILE can often be used to treat higher prescriptions than other kinds of Laser Eye Surgery; however, it is not suitable for everyone. In particular, patients with more severe long-sightedness (hyperopia) may not be candidates for SMILE Pro.
Availability: As our founder, Professor Reinstein, helped to develop this innovative treatment, London Vision Clinic was the first Laser Eye Surgery clinic in the UK to offer SMILE Pro. But while SMILE was developed over a decade ago, not all Laser Eye Surgery clinics have access to the technology required to perform this revolutionary procedure. In fact, SMILE is still only available at a select few clinics across the UK.
FAQs
Can SMILE Pro be customised for the way I actually use my eyes day-to-day (screens, night driving, sport)?
Yes. At London Vision Clinic, SMILE Pro is planned around how you use your vision in real life, not just your prescription.
During your assessment, factors such as screen exposure, night-time driving, shift work and sports participation are taken into account when designing your treatment. This allows the surgeon to fine-tune optical zone size and centration to support visual comfort, contrast and stability in the situations that matter most to you.
For many patients, this personalised planning is one of the main reasons their vision feels more natural and less “artificial” after surgery.
Does SMILE Pro affect future eye treatments I might need later in life?
SMILE Pro does not prevent you from having future eye treatments, including cataract or lens-based procedures later in life. However, previous refractive surgery always needs to be factored into long-term planning.
At London Vision Clinic, your pre-operative measurements and corneal data are stored as part of your clinical record. This ensures that if you ever require further treatment in the future, your surgical history is fully understood and managed appropriately by your clinical team.
This long-term approach is especially important for patients having vision correction in their 30s and 40s.
How stable are the visual results from SMILE Pro over time?
SMILE Pro is designed to deliver long-term refractive stability.
Once your prescription has been confirmed as stable before treatment, the vast majority of patients maintain their corrected distance vision for many years.
Any changes that occur later in life are usually related to natural ageing of the eye; such as presbyopia (reading vision changes) or lens ageing, rather than a regression of the original laser correction.
Your surgeon will explain clearly which future changes can and cannot be influenced by laser treatment, so expectations remain realistic and transparent.
Is SMILE Pro suitable if I have previously been told I have dry or sensitive eyes?
In many cases, yes.
SMILE Pro is often preferred for patients who experience dryness or ocular surface sensitivity, because the procedure preserves more of the corneal surface and nerves compared with flap-based laser techniques.
That said, dryness is not assessed in isolation. The cause, severity and stability of your tear film are evaluated during your consultation to determine whether SMILE is the safest and most comfortable option for you.
If additional treatment is needed to optimise the ocular surface before surgery, this will be recommended in advance to protect both your comfort and visual outcome.