- Indicative price
- 2,000,000 - 3,500,000 both eyes KRW
- Procedure time
- 10 - 15 minutes
- Anesthesia
- Anesthetic eye drops
- Recovery
- Functional vision next day, stabilizes over 1-2 weeks
- Minimum stay in Korea
- 7 days
- Also known as
- ReLEx SMILE, 스마일라식
The incision is 2 to 4 millimetres compared with the roughly 20 millimetre flap edge of LASIK. That is the source of its two advantages: less disruption of corneal nerves, meaning less dry eye, and no flap to displace.
The main limitations are that it treats myopia and astigmatism but not hyperopia, and enhancement after SMILE is more complex than after LASIK. It costs roughly 30 to 50 percent more than standard LASIK in Korea.
Clinics offering SMILE Eye Surgery
Frequently asked questions
Is SMILE better than LASIK?
SMILE avoids a corneal flap and causes less post-operative dry eye, which matters for contact sports and dry-eye-prone patients. LASIK still corrects a wider range of prescriptions including hyperopia and is easier to enhance later.
Can SMILE correct farsightedness?
No. SMILE is approved for myopia with or without astigmatism. Hyperopia requires LASIK or a lens-based option.
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