Free yourself from glasses and contacts with SMILE laser eye surgery in Brisbane

ESCAPE THE LIMITATIONS OF VISUAL AIDS WITH ULTRA GENTLE, FLAP-FREE LASER EYE SURGERY

Free yourself from glasses and contacts with SMILE laser eye surgery in Brisbane

ESCAPE THE LIMITATIONS OF VISUAL AIDS WITH ULTRA GENTLE, FLAP-FREE SMARTSIGHT LASER EYE SURGERY

WE’RE HONOURED TO BE MEMBERS OF THESE PRESTIGIOUS PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
SMILE LASER EYE SURGERY EXPLAINED

SMILE laser eye surgery FAQs

You may be suitable for SMILE eye surgery if you:

  • Have a stable prescription (short-sightedness, with or without astigmatism).
  • Your cornea needs to be healthy, the right shape, and strong enough to handle the procedure/li>
  • You must not have any medical conditions or be taking medications that could affect healing1https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-small-incision-lenticule-extraction#:~:text=By%20David%20Turbert,a%20good%20candidate%20for%20SMILE?.

We will need to assess your refractive errors and suitability at your free assessment.

What is SMILE laser eye surgery?

  • SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.
  • It is a laser surgery that helps people see clearly without glasses or contact lenses.
  • The laser makes a small cut in your eye and removes a tiny piece inside your cornea. This changes the shape of your eye and fixes your vision.
  • SMILE doesn’t need a flap like LASIK, so healing is usually faster and more comfortable.

If you are seeking a safe, effective and cutting-edge solution to correct your myopia or astigmatism2https://bjo.bmj.com/content/100/9/1192.short, SMILE eye surgery may be the answer for you.

  • SMILE gives results like LASIK but with a smaller cut.
  • That means less risk and a quicker, more comfortable recovery3https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-small-incision-lenticule-extraction#:~:text=By%20David%20Turbert,a%20good%20candidate%20for%20SMILE?.
  • Many people go back to normal life in just a few days.
  • It can also cause less dry eye than other laser surgeries4https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08820538.2020.1807028.

  • Yes. SMILE doesn’t currently treat long-sightedness (hyperopia) and is less precise in correcting certain types of astigmatism due to limitations in eye-tracking technology during surgery.
  • Some people also experience slightly longer visual recovery than with LASIK.
  • It may not be suitable for patients with very high prescriptions or those needing the most accurate astigmatism correction.
  • Your suitability will depend on your eye health, lifestyle, and vision needs.

  • Not necessarily. Although SMILE eye surgery is a less invasive option, LASIK and PRK will still be necessary for some patients who are not suitable for SMILE.
  • The current version of SMILE also has some limitations compared to LASIK, particularly in terms of correcting astigmatism and eye movements during surgery.
  • However, all three procedures ultimately achieve the same great results, with SMILE offering the advantage of avoiding the creation of a corneal flap. This results in a stronger cornea and faster healing times compared to LASIK and PRK5https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6784775/.
  • Additionally, SMILE may also provide better night vision for those with larger pupils due to the wider treatment zone. Therefore, the choice of procedure will ultimately depend on individual factors and preferences.

On the flip side, there are some drawbacks:

  • SMILE eye surgery may have a longer visual recovery time of up to one week compared to LASIK, which typically takes only a day
  • SMILE does not currently correct hyperopia (long-sightedness)
  • SMILE might produce slightly higher aberrations and therefore potentially night vision that isn’t as good
  • At present, the ZEISS Visumax version of SMILE is unable to correct astigmatism with the same level of accuracy as LASIK

Why?

With the ZEISS Visumax laser, we can’t centre treatment as precisely as we can with LASIK – iris tracking with LASIK, not SMILE because:

  • the laser doesn’t offer pupil tracking
  • the laser doesn’t offer cyclotorsion control (you have to “dock and treat”)
  • we cannot adjust for eye movements or decentration of the treatment during the time of surgery – that means treatment of astigmatism will not be as accurate as we can achieve with LASIK

The next generation of SMILE laser eye surgery will enable us to:

  • alter treatment centration at the time of surgery
  • give us more precise control for us to align for the astigmatism correction of the eye
  • use a wider treatment zone which may mean that patients might end up getting a better quality of night vision (especially for those who have larger pupils)

As with any surgery, SMILE has risks.

  • These include glare, halos, temporary light sensitivity, and fluctuating vision during healing.
  • Serious complications are rare, but can include infection or incomplete lenticule removal.

SMILE is considered very safe for suitable candidates6https://bjo.bmj.com/content/100/9/1192.short, but all risks will be explained during your consultation. Your surgeon will also discuss what outcomes you can expect based on your individual eyes.

  • After a detailed eye exam, numbing drops are applied on surgery day.
  • A femtosecond laser creates a lenticule in the cornea, which is removed through a small incision.
  • The whole procedure takes about 10–15 minutes per eye.
  • No corneal flap is made, so the surface of your eye stays more intact.
  • Most patients recover quickly and return to work and daily life within a few days.
  • Follow-up visits help monitor healing and results.

  • Most people enjoy clearer vision without needing glasses or contact lenses after SMILE surgery.
  • You may notice an improvement in your sight within a few days, though full clarity can take a few weeks.
  • The results are long-lasting for most people, but your eyes may still change naturally as you age, which could mean needing reading glasses later on.

Your outcome depends on the health of your eyes, your age, and how strong your glasses were before surgery. We’ll explain what you can expect based on your own vision and lifestyle.

DISCOVER IF YOU CAN BE FREE FROM GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSES

The best way to find out if eye laser treatment is right for you is to have an in-person assessment. You’ll get a clear answer from our experts on your suitability and laser vision correction options

happy young woman swimming, Laser Eye Surgery Fortitude Valley
HOW LASER EYE SURGERY IN BRISBANE WORKS

Find out if vision correction could help you reduce your need for glasses and contact lenses and see how the process works

Young woman in glasses with a tablet, Laser Eye Surgery Brisbane

Step 1: Reach out

Chat us up, give us a call or book an appointment online. We make it easy to get in touch with us.

Smiling receptionist at the clinic, Laser Eye Surgery Fortitude Valley

Step 2: We’ll meet

Visit our clinic in Fortitude Valley for a free assessment that will give you a complete understanding of your laser surgery options.

happy couple taking a selfie, Laser Eye Surgery Fortitude Valley

Step 3: Enjoy life

After a procedure that’s over before you know it, you’ll have the life-changing freedom that eye surgery brings.

THE LAZY PERSON’S WAY TO LEARN EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISION CORRECTION

Tired of Googling your way to understanding vision correction? We’ve got you covered! This “all-in-one” guide to vision correction options in Queensland will answer every question you have. Even the ones you didn’t think to ask! Best of all, it’s only a click away.

WHO CAN LASER EYE SURGERY HELP?

Find the laser eye surgery option right for your age. We offer unique solutions for each stage of life

Tired of missing out because you need glasses and contact lenses to see clearly?

Do your glasses prevent you from looking your very best?

We know how it feels to have glasses and contact lenses get in the way of what you most want out of life. That’s why we offer a free assessment in Brisbane to help you make an informed choice about laser eye surgery.

After you’ve had our assessment, you’ll enjoy the clarity and confidence you need to know – without a doubt – if laser surgery is right for you.

Do your glasses make you look years older than you actually feel?

Life needn’t go downhill the second you hit some magic number. Why spend half a lifetime in reading glasses when a 20-minute treatment can get you out of them?7All About Vision. 2021. Refractive Lens Exchange (Lens Replacement Surgery). [online] Available at: <https://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/refractive-lens-exchange.htm> [Accessed 21 June 2021].

These days, people in their 40s and 50s are living as actively as their kids. That’s why we offer specific treatments for ageing eyes whether you need a corneal transplant, laser surgery, or have dry eyes.

Book an assessment in Brisbane, and we’ll guide you towards the right treatment for you.

Seeking to ditch your lifetime of glasses and contact lenses for good?

With varifocals, bifocals, reading specs, contact lenses, and everything else – it can sometimes feel like you’re carrying around a pharmacy.

Visit us for a free assessment to find out if you may be suitable for vision correction and to learn how it could help reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses.

AS SEEN ON INSTAGRAM

Brisbane performer Jordan Malone (@jordanmalone_) at VSON

DISCOVER IF YOU CAN BE FREE FROM GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSES

The best way to find out if eye laser treatment is right for you is to have an in-person assessment at our laser eye clinic. You’ll get a clear answer from our experts on your suitability and laser eye surgery options

smiling young man, Laser Eye Surgery Brisbane
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LASER EYE SURGERY…

Educate yourself further about laser eye surgery

A guide to LASIK, what it can treat, as well as all the need-to-know details on this refractive surgery. Click here for more information.

A direct comparison of PRK eye surgery vs LASIK eye surgery including the pros and cons of each and which uses a femtosecond laser. Click here for more information.

An informative article on PRK eye surgery, what the procedure is used for and how it is performed including how it affects your corneal tissues and corneal nerves. Click here for more information.

A WebMD article and explanation of LASIK eye surgery. Click here for more information.

Single-Step Transepithelial PRK vs Alcohol-Assisted PRK in Myopia and Compound Myopic Astigmatism Correction

They say ‘you are what you eat’. Like any aspect of the body, whether it’s the state of your joints, your brain, your digestion, or your eye health. A healthy and balanced lifestyle plays an important role. Both in warding off disease and even the effects of ageing that some may think are inevitable. Though we can’t eat good vision, we can ensure our diet contains all the vital nutrients and compounds. Click here to read more about laser eye surgery in Auckland and find out more about foods for eye health.

If you have to deal with the hassle of corrective lenses, ditching them for perfect eyesight sounds like a dream come true. The best way to achieve that goal is through eye laser surgery. There are a few different laser procedures to choose from, three of the most common being PRK, LASIK, and SMILE. Even if you think your eyes are too difficult to correct with surgery, this may not be the case. Click here to find out about SMILE laser eye surgery and the incision lenticule extraction SMILE technique, as well as the other treatment options available.

ARE YOU SUITABLE?

Check your laser eye surgery suitability online with our free LASIK self-test

Hi, I’m Dr. Matthew Russell, a laser and cataract surgeon

HI I’M DR. MATTHEW RUSSELL A LASER EYE AND CATARACT SURGEON

With over 15 years of experience, I enjoy the privilege of helping patients of all ages reclaim clear vision or preserve it for as long as possible.

Vision correction and high-precision cataract surgery hinge on the expertise and skill set of the provider who also has access to the most precise tools for the job. Ophthalmic surgeons like me know how to make treatment safe, comfortable and positive for the patient. They know how to minimise the risk of complications and maximise successful outcomes.

I have a passion for helping my patients enjoy the clear, high-definition vision they need to live rich and active lives. Now, I have hand-picked a team of professionals that share my passion and commitment to exceptional care.

Dr. Matthew Russell

MBChB, FRANZCO