A lot of people are opting for vision correction surgery to eliminate or at least reduce the dependence on glasses in their daily lives. You might also be looking for the same. But have you found out which surgery is suitable for you yet? Probably not because there are enough options available to confuse you. So, if anyone wants to get rid of glasses, which vision correction surgery is considered best?
We can’t consider a single surgery to be the best for everyone. Every eye, cornea, refractive error, etc., is different, and that is why a variety of surgical options are available to meet different needs and provide the best-suited results.
In this blog, we will talk about three procedures: 1) SMILE Pro, 2) SILK, and 3) LASIK, their benefits, and also give you a side-by-side comparison, so that you can understand your condition and the suitable treatment better.
However, it is important that you consult your ophthalmologist about these three surgeries. After a thorough evaluation of your eyes and overall fitness check, they will guide you toward the best option.
Before we jump into the details of the surgeries, let’s see what commonalities they have.
What Do These Vision Correction Surgeries Have in Common?
Whether you go for SMILE Pro LASIK surgery, SILK, or standard LASIK, certain things will remain constant in all three procedures, which are:
Painless Experience:
These surgeries are virtually painless. Though you stay awake during the procedure, your eyes are numbed, so you don’t feel anything in your eyes.
Day-care Procedure:
Vision correction surgeries, regardless of the type, take only 15-20 minutes or even less. So, you can go home the very same day.
Highest Accuracy Maintained:
Advanced procedures like SILK, SMILE Pro, or femto LASIK use robotic systems, maintaining the highest accuracy —-leading to improved vision clarity.
Long Term Results:
Advanced vision correction procedures provide long-lasting results and often don’t require a repeat session except in rare cases like regression or age-related vision problems.
No stitches or Bandages:
All three procedures are bladeless and stitchless. As the entire procedure is performed using advanced lasers, it causes less tissue damage and also enables faster recovery.
So, if all the procedures here are painless, bladeless, minimally invasive, and quick, what actually differentiates them, and why isn’t everyone recommended the same surgery? The difference is in the procedure and the suitability.
For example, for a person with a very active lifestyle and minimal to moderate refractive error, SMILE Pro is the best option as it is quick (9-second procedure), painless, and recovers faster. But if a patient has corneal irregularities, procedures like SILK or Contoura Vision are better suited as they cover even the finest corneal irregularities, giving better and more customized results.
Moving forward, let’s dive into each of these procedures and explore the unique benefits they offer.
What is SMILE Pro LASIK Surgery?
SMILE Pro eye surgery is the world’s first AI+ robotic-assisted procedure that has the shortest laser time, which is 9 seconds. Unlike LASIK, in this procedure, no flap is created; instead, a lenticule is created using a femtosecond laser and removed to give the perfect shape to the cornea. Here are the details of the surgery:
Before the Surgery:
- Your eyes are examined thoroughly to ensure fitness. It includes checking for stable eye prescription, corneal thickness, presence of other eye conditions, etc.
- An overall health check is also performed to ensure you don’t suffer from chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- After being declared fit, some precautionary steps are also recommended, like avoiding eye makeup, contact lenses, etc., a week or two before the surgery.
During the Surgery
- Anesthesia is given in the form of eye drops.
- The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser and creates a lenticule on the corneal surface.
- This lenticule is then removed, reshaping your cornea and giving you clear vision.
After the Surgery
- You are kept under observation for a few hours to see if any complications occur.
- Eye drops are prescribed, and some post-surgery precautions are recommended. This includes avoiding eye make-up, water, face wash, dust, direct sun exposure, etc.
- The doctor also schedules a follow-up appointment, and then you get discharged.
Benefits:
- 9-second laser time for each eye.
- AI+ robotic-assisted procedure ensures the highest accuracy and better results.
- 100% bladeless, painless, and stitchless.
- Minimal to no post-operative discomfort.
- Corrects myopia up to -10D and astigmatism up to -5D.
- Most patients start seeing clearly within 24 hours.
What is SILK?
SILK is a refined lenticule extraction procedure with improved precision. The surgical procedure is similar to SMILE Pro. The only difference is in the extraction. In SILK vision correction, the lenticule is removed by making a very small incision (2mm-2.5mm), which causes less tissue trauma, further leading to faster recovery.
Before the Surgery
- A thorough examination is performed to ensure that your eyes are suitable for the surgery. The criteria include: a stable eye prescription, normal corneal thickness, and no presence of glaucoma, cataract, or dry eyes.
- An overall health check-up is also performed to look for chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- Precautionary steps like avoiding eye makeup, moisturizer, strong perfumes, contact lenses, etc., are prescribed.
During the Surgery
- Numbing eye drops are given.
- The surgeon, using a femtosecond laser, creates a lenticule on the corneal surface and removes it by making a 2mm – 2.5mm incision, leading to less tissue trauma.
After the Surgery
- The doctor first observes you for a few hours
- Medications and post-operative care instructions are given.
- A follow-up appointment will also be scheduled before you are discharged.
Benefits:
- Ultra-thin incisions: 2mm – 2.5 mm.
- Highly precise procedure.
- 100% flapless, bladeless, and painless.
- Get back to your routine within 24 hours
- Suitable for myopia and astigmatism.
Note: SMILE Pro and SILK are not recommended for treating Hyperopia as this condition requires steepening of the cornea, which is not possible through lenticule-based procedures.
What is Standard LASIK?
Standard LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser-assisted vision correction procedure where a flap is created using a microkeratome blade on the corneal surface and then the cornea is reshaped, correcting errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Note: Advanced LASIK procedures, like Femto LASIK, don’t use blades anymore. From flap creation to corneal reshaping, everything is done with lasers. Most modern hospitals prefer Femto LASIK over the traditional procedure due to reduced invasion and complexities.
Before the Surgery:
- A thorough eye and overall health check-up is performed to ensure your fitness for the surgery.
- If you are found 100% fit, the surgery date is decided, and precautionary steps are recommended to be followed (Same as mentioned above).
During the Surgery:
- Numbing eye drops are given. You stay awake during the procedure but don’t feel anything.
- A flap is created on the corneal surface using a femtosecond laser or a microkeratome blade (depending on the procedure you choose).
- After that, using an excimer laser, the surgeon reshapes the cornea, correcting refractive errors.
- After the reshaping is done. The flap is placed back.
After the Surgery:
- The surgeon keeps you under observation for a few hours so that you can get comfortable and see if any major discomfort is there.
- If everything seems to be normal, you are prescribed eye drops, and post-operative precautions, and a follow-up appointment is decided.
- In the end, you get discharged.
Benefits:
- Suitable for all three types of refractive errors: myopia up to -12D, hyperopia up to +6D, and astigmatism up to ±6D.
- 100% painless procedure.
- Get a clear vision within 24 hours.
- Only a 15-minute procedure.
- No hospital stay needed.
SMILE Pro, SILK, LASIK – Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature/Aspect | SMILE Pro | SILK | Standard LASIK |
| Technology Used | Visumax-800 femtosecond laser | Femtosecond + excimer laser | Microkeratome blade/femtosecond +excimer laser |
| Flap Creation | No flap is created. The corneal reshaping is done through lenticule creation | No flap is created. Lenticule is created and then removed by making small incisions: 2mm-2.5mm to reshape the cornea. | The flap is created using a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser. |
| Invasiveness | Least invasive | Minimally invasive | Moderately invasive |
| Visual Recovery | Most patients start to see clearly within 24 hours. | The patient starts to see clearly within 24-48 hours | The patient starts to see clearly within 24-48 hours |
| Dry Eye Risk | Lowest risk | Low to moderate risk | Moderate risk due to flap creation, but that is also temporary. |
| Night Vision/Glare | Improved | Improved | The patient may experience glare or halos temporarily after the procedure. |
| Suitability for Active Lifestyles | Highly suitable | Suitable | The patient needs to take precautions. |
| Customization | High to moderate | High to moderate | Moderate |
| Availability in India | Limited hospitals where high-end technology is used. | Limited hospitals | Widely available |
| Ideal for | Patient who want faster recovery and has an active lifestyle. | Patients who want precise results. | Patients who are looking for cost-effective options and have the required corneal suitability. |
Which Vision Correction Surgery is Right for You?
If your corneal health and overall health are good and you have mild to moderate refractive error, then SMILE Pro LASIK surgery is the best option among these three. With 9 9-second laser time, it offers a quick, flapless, and minimally invasive experience, which further leads to faster recovery and improved outcomes.
SILK offers a smooth and precise experience, leading to sharper visual outcomes. LASIK, on the other hand, is still a preferable choice for people who have hyperopia and are looking for cost-effective surgical options.
So, as said earlier, the best type of surgery is the one that suits your conditions and your needs. Therefore, it is important to consult with your eye surgeon about the best options available, compare them side by side, and then decide which one would give you the desired results.
A good eye hospital will conduct a thorough eye examination before recommending any surgical option. So, if your surgeon is experienced, has handled multiple cases, and is fluent in modern ophthalmic technologies, it is advisable to follow their recommendations.
Why Choose Sohana Eye Hospital?
Eye care at Sohana Hospital isn’t just about surgery, but 360-degree care. Whether it’s about using high-end technologies or providing comprehensive care, we check all the boxes.
Latest Ophthalmic Technology:
At Sohana Eye Hospital, every eye surgery is guided by the latest technologies, which not only improve the outcomes but also provide a painless, smooth, and faster surgical experience.
Highly Experienced Doctors:
With over two decades of experience and a record of performing 500,000 successful surgeries, our senior cataract and refractive surgeon, Dr. Amanpreet Kaur, is North India’s most trusted name in eye care.
Her compassionate care and unmatched dedication to provide high-end technology-infused eye care ensure that every patient receives the best-in-class care and results.
Multiple Vision Correction Options:
Our services aren’t limited to LASIK. At Sohana Hospital, we provide alternative treatments like ICL for people who are considered not a good fit for LASIK due to thin corneas, high refractive errors, or other clinical reasons.
Personalized Care:
Every patient here undergoes a thorough eye evaluation, and only after that, a treatment plan is recommended. This is done to ensure that your treatment not only corrects your vision problems but also matches your expectations and lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Vision correction surgeries not only correct your specs number but also improve the quality of your life as well. That is why you should never compromise on the quality of your treatment.
Before jumping into any conclusion or proceeding with any procedure, do proper research of the shortlisted hospitals, schedule a free consultation, ask as many questions as you want, understand the procedure, cost, payment options, etc., and then finalize. Remember, the more informed you are about the procedure, the smoother it will be.
If you are looking for advanced vision correction surgeries in Chandigarh, trust the expertise of Sohana Eye Hospital and let us find the best treatment for your eyes and your life.
