SMILE surgery: FAQs

SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) is a minimally invasive medical procedure that involves the use of laser technology for correcting various defects of vision. The surgery gives higher precision and accuracy as compared to other procedures and has brought about a revolution in the field of ophthalmology. Lasik smile surgery in India is offered at all the leading hospitals. The best ophthalmologists in India recommend the surgery to most of their patients. Since the procedure is quite new, there are a lot of questions in the minds of the people who are planning to undergo the procedure. We have to answer some of these questions to give a better understanding of the treatment.

What all precautions need to be followed after the surgery?

The patient is recommended to avoid watching television or using laptops and mobile phones after the surgery for some time, as these put unnecessary strain on the eyes. Eye make should be avoided for at least 2 to 3 weeks. After this, you can use dry eye makeup. Contact lenses can be worn after consulting with your doctor.

How long do I need to take rest after the surgery? 

As per the leading LASIK eye surgeon in India, the patient needs to take complete rest for at least 2 to 3 days after which normal activities can be resumed. You will be required to stay indoors for at least a day after which you can go out. Make sure that your wear protective shield while going out to avoid the harmful radiations of the gun.

Will I experience improvement in vision right after the surgery?

Improvement in vision is noticeable a few hours after the surgery and your vision will be completely clear within a day. Some patients may experience slight haziness which will go away within a week or two. A lot of people prefer to undergo Lasik eye surgery in India as the doctors guarantee immediate improvement that is visible within a few hours.

Is it true that the patient needs to sit in a dark room after the surgery? 

Although it might be helpful in certain cases, it is not necessary for the patient to do so. Light sensitivity is quite natural and goes away on its own.

So I need to continue using reading glasses even after the procedure? 

Reading glasses may be required in some cases especially for patients above the age of 40 as a person's ability to focus on the nearby objects decreases considerably.

Can I wash my eyes after the procedure?

No, you should not wash your eyes after the procedure and even on a normal basis as no matter how pure the water is, it does not contain the same salt concentration as normal tears and hence can lead to irritation. This is the reason why doctors recommend artificial tears and lubricating eye drops in order to lubricate and wash your eyes. Swimming should also be avoided unless your doctor gives you the green signal. You can wash your hair after two days but make sure that the water does not enter your eyes.

What should I expect after the procedure?

After the surgery, you may experience glare for some time. Night glare is very common. In several cases, the problem can persist for a long time. Apart from this light sensitivity may also be experienced which tends to go away within a day or two.

Do I require an enhancement treatment after the surgery?

A lot of studies conducted in the field have shown that patients undergoing smile surgery do not need to undergo the procedure again. Hence you do not need to worry about the enhancement surgery.