Written by Apgujeong Eye Clinic
2025.02.20
Recently, many people have been undergoing vision correction surgery to achieve clear vision without the need for glasses, contact lenses, or other corrective devices. In addition to the commonly known LASIK and LASEK, there are now a variety of options such as SMILE LASIK and implantable lens surgery, which have expanded the range of choices. As SMILE LASIK, a next-generation surgery that combines the advantages of LASIK and LASEK while addressing their drawbacks, has gained popularity, new procedures with similar names, like SMART LASIK and CLEAR LASIK, have been introduced. Many people are now confused about whether these are the same surgeries, so let's explore the differences.
With its high safety and fast recovery, SMILE LASIK has gained popularity among modern individuals. The surgical equipment used for SMILE LASIK, VisuMax, is the only device developed by Carl Zeiss in Germany after over 20 years of research. Not only in South Korea but also globally, only the VisuMax system can perform SMILE LASIK surgery. While it's easy to assume that the surgical process is the same across different clinics since the equipment is the same, there may be variations in the surgeon's experience and technique that can affect the outcome.
No matter how advanced the surgical equipment is, the outcome can vary depending on the surgeon's skill and experience. The VisuMax uses a femtosecond laser, which passes through the corneal surface and delivers laser pulses in 1 trillionth of a second to precisely target only the necessary corneal tissue for vision correction. However, the separation of the corneal tissue after the laser treatment is entirely determined by the surgeon’s expertise, meaning that even with the same equipment, the surgery’s results may not be the same for everyone. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a highly skilled surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome.
The average surgery time at different hospitals can be explained in the same context. SMILE LASIK involves three main steps: 1. Creating suction on the cornea and using the laser to precisely cut only the necessary corneal tissue beneath the surface. 2. Making a small 2mm incision on the surface. 3. Extracting and removing the cut corneal tissue. By minimizing unnecessary movements and focusing on the essential steps, an experienced surgeon can complete the entire SMILE LASIK procedure within 5 minutes. The reason for emphasizing the short surgery time is that minimizing the exposure of the cornea to the outside is crucial for preventing infections and reducing the risk of complications after surgery. This principle applies not only to the eyes but also to other parts of the body. Especially for procedures involving opening and closing, a skilled surgeon can perform the surgery quickly to reduce the risk of external infection and ensure the best possible outcome.
It is no exaggeration to say that the skill of the surgeon has the greatest impact on the outcome of SMILE LASIK. Therefore, when choosing a clinic, it is crucial to verify the surgeon's experience and number of surgeries performed. One way to assess the surgeon’s expertise is by checking for the SMILE Doctor Certification, which is an official certificate issued by Carl Zeiss, the developer of SMILE LASIK. This certification can only be issued by Carl Zeiss and is granted to surgeons who have extensive experience, high skill levels, and a deep understanding of the procedure. For safer and more satisfying results, it is essential to ensure not only the quality of the equipment but also the surgeon's proficiency, so be sure to check for the SMILE Doctor Certification before undergoing surgery!
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