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LASIK / ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery

Outpatient laser refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea (LASIK flap or SMILE keyhole lenticule) to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

Surgical Cornea (both eyes) Avg. stay 3 days 0 clinics

Overview

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis) and ReLEx SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) are refractive laser eye procedures that reshape the cornea to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. They are offered to adults with a stable refraction for at least one year, sufficient corneal thickness, no active ocular pathology and realistic expectations. Refractive surgery is not funded by the NHS for cosmetic improvement of eyesight and is performed in private and specialist NHS-affiliated centres such as Moorfields Private. In LASIK, a femtosecond laser creates a hinged corneal flap, the flap is lifted, and an excimer laser ablates corneal stromal tissue according to a personalised treatment plan before the flap is repositioned. In SMILE, a femtosecond laser sculpts a precise lenticule of stromal tissue within the intact cornea, which is then removed through a small (2-4 mm) keyhole incision; no flap is created. SMILE preserves more anterior corneal biomechanics and is particularly suitable for higher myopia and dry-eye-prone patients. Each eye takes about 10-15 minutes of treatment time under topical anaesthesia. The vast majority of patients see well enough to drive and return to office work the next day, and full refractive stability is reached at 1-3 months. Long-term outcomes show that >95 percent of low-to-moderate myopes achieve 20/40 or better unaided vision after either procedure. International patients usually require a 3-day stay for the procedure, post-operative day-1 check and one further early follow-up. Sources: NHS Moorfields Private, NICE, NIH peer-reviewed literature.

Hospital & stay

1–2 nights
Hospital stay
3 days
Total stay abroad
Surgical
Procedure type

Procedure details

How it's performed

Under topical anaesthetic eye drops, an eyelid speculum keeps the eye open. LASIK: a femtosecond laser creates a 90-110 micron corneal flap by tracing a 3D pattern of microbubbles; the flap is lifted, an excimer laser reshapes the underlying stroma to a treatment plan derived from corneal topography, and the flap is replaced. SMILE: a single femtosecond laser sculpts a thin lenticule within the intact cornea, which the surgeon extracts through a 2-4 mm peripheral incision, no flap created. The patient stares at a fixation light throughout.

Preparation
  1. 1Detailed refraction, corneal topography, pachymetry and dry-eye assessment at least 1-2 weeks before surgery.
  2. 2Stop wearing soft contact lenses for at least 1 week (longer for rigid lenses) before measurements and treatment.
  3. 3Avoid eye make-up, perfume and aftershave on the day of surgery.
  4. 4Arrange transport home as vision will be blurry for several hours.
  5. 5Receive prescription for post-operative antibiotic and steroid drops.
Recovery
  1. 1Day 0: Transient blurred vision, mild grittiness and watering for 4-6 hours; wear protective eye shields overnight.
  2. 2Day 1: Marked improvement in vision; attend the day-1 review with the surgeon.
  3. 3Days 1-7: Use prescribed antibiotic and steroid drops; avoid swimming, eye rubbing and dusty environments.
  4. 4Weeks 1-2: Most patients return to driving and office work; mild dry eye is common.
  5. 5Weeks 2-4: Vision continues to sharpen; resume sport with eye protection.
  6. 6Months 1-3: Refraction stabilises and lubricant drops are gradually tapered.

What the Research Says About LASIK and ReLEx SMILE Laser Eye Surgery

15 peer-reviewed sources

Laser vision correction has been studied extensively across randomized trials, large cohorts and systematic reviews, and modern femtosecond LASIK and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) consistently deliver high rates of uncorrected vision at or near the patient's target. Comparative analyses report broadly similar visual and refractive accuracy between SMILE, femtosecond LASIK and surface ablation, with differences mainly in higher-order aberrations, corneal biomechanics and early dry-eye symptoms rather than in final acuity. Reported safety profiles are favorable, though the literature is clear that transient dry eye and the need for occasional enhancement are recognized considerations, and careful candidate screening remains essential. Quality-of-life reviews show meaningful gains in daily function and spectacle independence after surgery. The references below span meta-analyses, comparative studies and longer-term outcome data so prospective patients and clinicians can weigh the evidence rather than marketing claims.

  1. Comparative clinical outcomes of SMILE, femtosecond LASIK, and transepithelial PRK: a multicenter Iraqi study
    Aljaberi HA et al. · Frontiers in ophthalmology · 2026
    Cohort / longitudinal studyPMID 42058504DOI
  2. The efficacy, safety and predictability in transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy versus LASIK/SMILE: A meta-analysis
    Serfözö A et al. · European journal of ophthalmology · 2026
    Systematic review / meta-analysisPMID 41734035DOI
  3. Keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) versus femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for the treatment of myopia and compound myopic astigmatism: study protocol of a randomised clinical trial in Mexico
    Muleiro-Alvarez M et al. · BMJ open · 2025
    Randomized controlled trialPMID 41436254DOI
  4. Quality of Life After Laser Vision Correction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Peyman A et al. · Journal of ophthalmology · 2025
    Systematic review / meta-analysisPMID 39816207DOI
  5. Surgical interventions for presbyopia
    Alvarado-Villacorta R et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025
    Systematic review (Cochrane)PMID 40226888DOI

Compiled from peer-reviewed medical literature indexed on PubMed. This overview is for general education and is not medical advice. · Last updated 2026-06-15