SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism by removing a small disc of corneal tissue through a tiny incision, with no flap.
In SMILE, a femtosecond laser shapes a lens-shaped piece of tissue (a lenticule) inside the cornea, which the surgeon removes through a small incision of just a few millimeters. Because there is no large flap, SMILE preserves more of the cornea's surface structure and may be associated with less post-operative dry eye for some patients. It is primarily used for myopia and astigmatism; availability depends on which practices have the platform.
Corrects nearsightedness through a small incision with no flap.
Addresses nearsightedness combined with astigmatism.
Diagnostic workup to confirm candidacy and plan the lenticule.
If SMILE is not ideal, surgeons may recommend LASIK or PRK instead.
A Florida medical license lets a physician practice, but board certification is the signal that a doctor completed accredited residency training and passed rigorous exams in their specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board that matches the care you need — and verify it yourself.
Procedure facts on this page draw on authoritative medical sources. Confirm specifics in a consultation.
U.S. FDA — LASIK ↗American Academy of Ophthalmology — Refractive Surgery ↗Choose a board-certified doctor — and verify it yourself:
ABMS — Certification Matters ↗ Look up any U.S. physician’s board certification across all 24 ABMS member specialty boards. Florida DOH — License Verification ↗ Confirm an active Florida license and review any disciplinary history. NPI Registry (CMS) ↗ Verify a provider’s national identifier and registered specialty taxonomy. Medicare Care Compare ↗ Compare clinicians, hospitals and facilities on quality measures.