Wavelight Plus vs. SMILE: Which Laser Eye Surgery Is for You?

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Deciding to get laser eye surgery is a major step towards a life free from glasses and contact lenses. But with several advanced procedures available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

Two of the most common and effective options you will encounter are WaveLight Plus (a type of LASIK) and SMILE. Both promise excellent results, but they work in fundamentally different ways.

Understanding these differences is key to making an informed decision that suits your eyes, prescription, and lifestyle. This guide will walk you through a detailed comparison of Wavelight Plus and SMILE.

We will break down everything from how the technology works to what you can expect during recovery and which factors might make one a better choice for you.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each procedure. This will empower you to have a more productive conversation with your ophthalmologist and confidently choose the path to clearer vision.

What is Laser Eye Surgery? A Quick Overview

Before comparing Wavelight Plus and SMILE, let’s briefly touch on what laser eye surgery does. Most vision problems, like short-sightedness (myopia) and astigmatism, happen because the cornea—the clear front part of your eye—has an imperfect shape.

This incorrect shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina at the back of your eye, causing blurry vision.

Laser eye surgery permanently reshapes the cornea using a highly precise laser. By correcting its curvature, the laser allows light to focus correctly on the retina, resulting in clear vision without the need for corrective lenses. Both Wavelight Plus and SMILE achieve this goal, but their methods are distinct.

What is SMILE Eye Surgery?

SMILE stands for SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction. It is a more recent, minimally invasive laser eye surgery technique. Unlike other methods, SMILE corrects vision without creating a corneal flap.

⇒How Does the SMILE Procedure Work?

The SMILE procedure is a single-step process that uses one type of laser—a femtosecond laser. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Lenticule Creation: The surgeon uses the femtosecond laser to create a tiny, lens-shaped piece of tissue (called a lenticule) inside the cornea. The shape of this lenticule is precisely calculated to match your unique prescription.
Small Incision: The same laser then makes a very small incision on the surface of the cornea, typically less than 4mm wide.
Lenticule Removal: The surgeon carefully removes the lenticule through this small incision. Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, correcting the refractive error.

Because there is no flap, the outer layers of the cornea remain largely untouched, which is one of the procedure’s main advantages.

What is Wavelight Plus Eye Surgery?

Wavelight Plus is not a standalone procedure but an advanced, topography-guided platform used for bladeless LASIK surgery. It is a highly customised treatment that maps the unique contours of your eye to deliver a personalised correction. This is often referred to as Contoura® Vision with the WaveLight® EX500 laser platform.

⇒How Does Wavelight Plus (LASIK) Work?

Wavelight Plus is a two-step procedure that involves two different lasers: a femtosecond laser and an excimer laser.

Corneal Flap Creation: First, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin, hinged flap on the surface of the cornea. This flap is gently lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue.
Corneal Reshaping: Next, the Wavelight excimer laser, guided by a detailed 3D map of your eye’s surface, reshapes the corneal tissue. This laser removes microscopic amounts of tissue to correct your prescription with exceptional precision.

3.Flap Repositioning: Finally, the corneal flap is placed back into its original position. It acts as a natural bandage and begins to heal immediately without the need for stitches.

Wavelight Plus vs. SMILE: A Direct Comparison

To help you see the differences clearly, let’s compare the two procedures across several key factors.

Feature	SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)	Wavelight Plus (Topography-Guided LASIK)
Procedure Type	Minimally invasive, flapless	Flap-based procedure
Incision Size	Very small (< 4mm)	Larger circular flap (approx. 20mm)
Lasers Used	One laser (femtosecond)	Two lasers (femtosecond and excimer)
Correctable Issues	Short-sightedness (myopia), some astigmatism	Short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, higher-order aberrations
Dry Eye Risk	Generally lower risk	Potentially higher risk due to nerve disruption
Recovery Speed	Visual recovery can be slightly slower initially	Very rapid visual recovery, often within hours
Corneal Strength	Better preservation of corneal biomechanics	Flap creation can slightly weaken corneal structure

Key Differences Explained

1.Which Procedure is Less Invasive?

SMILE is considered less invasive than Wavelight Plus LASIK. This is because SMILE uses a very small incision and does not create a large corneal flap. By leaving the surface of the cornea almost intact, it preserves more of the eye’s biomechanical strength.

2.What is the Recovery Like for Each?

Recovery experiences for SMILE and Wavelight Plus differ slightly.

Wavelight Plus (LASIK): Patients often report “wow” vision almost immediately, with clear sight returning within a few hours to a day. There might be some initial discomfort, like a feeling of something in your eye, but this typically resolves quickly as the flap heals.
SMILE: Visual recovery with SMILE can be slightly slower. While vision improves significantly on the first day, it may take a few days or even a couple of weeks to achieve the final, crisp result. However, post-operative discomfort is generally minimal.

3.Is Dry Eye a Risk After Surgery?

Dry eye syndrome is a potential side effect of any laser eye surgery, but the risk varies.

Wavelight Plus LASIK has a higher association with post-operative dry eyes. Creating the corneal flap severs some of the corneal nerves that regulate tear production. While these nerves regenerate over time, patients may experience temporary dryness for several months.

SMILE is often recommended for patients prone to dry eyes. Because the procedure involves only a small incision and no flap, fewer corneal nerves are disturbed. This leads to a lower incidence and severity of post-operative dry eye syndrome.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for Each Procedure?

Your eligibility for each procedure depends on your prescription, corneal thickness, and lifestyle.

1.An Ideal Candidate for SMILE:

Has moderate to high short-sightedness (myopia).
May or may not have astigmatism.
Has adequate corneal thickness.
Is involved in contact sports or has a physically demanding job where flap displacement is a concern.
Has pre-existing dry eye symptoms.

2.An Ideal Candidate for Wavelight Plus (LASIK):

Has short-sightedness, long-sightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism.
Has complex prescriptions or higher-order aberrations that benefit from topography-guided customisation.
Wants the fastest possible visual recovery.
Has sufficient corneal thickness to safely create a flap.

Key Takeaways: Wavelight Plus vs. SMILE

Technology: SMILE is a single-laser, flapless procedure. Wavelight Plus is a two-laser, flap-based LASIK procedure that uses advanced topography mapping.
Invasiveness: SMILE is less invasive, preserving more of the cornea’s structural integrity.
Recovery: Wavelight Plus LASIK typically offers faster visual recovery. SMILE recovery is also quick but may take slightly longer to reach final clarity.
Dry Eye: SMILE has a lower risk of causing or worsening dry eye syndrome.
Candidacy: Wavelight Plus can treat a broader range of refractive errors, including long-sightedness. SMILE is excellent for short-sightedness and is ideal for those in contact sports or with concerns about dry eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Which surgery is safer, SMILE or Wavelight Plus LASIK?
A: Both procedures have outstanding safety profiles when performed on suitable candidates by an experienced surgeon. Safety is more dependent on proper patient screening and surgical expertise than on the procedure itself. SMILE’s flapless nature eliminates any risks of flap-related complications, which some patients prefer.

Q: Can Wavelight Plus correct vision better than SMILE?
A: Not necessarily. Both procedures can achieve 20/20 vision or better. Wavelight Plus (Contoura® Vision) is designed to correct minor imperfections on the cornea, potentially leading to “better than 20/20” vision for some patients. However, the best procedure is the one that is best suited to your individual eyes.

Q: Is there a big difference in cost between SMILE and Wavelight Plus?
A: The cost can vary depending on the clinic and location. Generally, SMILE and advanced topography-guided LASIK like Wavelight Plus are priced similarly, as both use state-of-the-art laser technology.