Written by Bright Eye Clinic
2025.02.20
In their 50s, Mr. Kang and Mrs. Lee, who run their own business, visited an eye clinic with their sons—one in high school and the other in elementary school. Both sons had vision problems. The eldest son, who had worn glasses since middle school, wanted to get rid of them, while the youngest, who plays for the school soccer team, needed a solution after his glasses broke during practice. At the clinic, the doctor recommended SMILE LASIK for the eldest son, who had severe myopia, as it would be the most suitable vision correction surgery for him. For the youngest son, who was afraid of surgery, the doctor suggested orthokeratology (dream lens correction). The couple, who only knew about LASIK and LASEK, was surprised to learn that there are now various vision correction procedures available.
LASIK involves separating the corneal layers, reshaping the inner part of the cornea with a laser, and then covering it with the flap. Since the cut corneal area is covered after the procedure, there is no pain after surgery. The recovery is also very quick, with improved vision often noticeable the next day. However, because the corneal flap is more vulnerable after being separated and replaced, it is important to avoid strong impacts or accidents to prevent damage. LASEK involves reshaping the corneal surface in one step to correct vision. Unlike LASIK, there is no separation of the cornea, making the procedure simpler. LASEK generally has fewer complications and is more resistant to external impacts. However, full recovery may take 1-2 weeks, requiring some time to rest. Since the procedure involves abrasion of the corneal surface, patients may experience discomfort, such as pain or stinging, during the first 2 days as the wound heals. Unlike LASIK, where the corneal flap is replaced, LASEK encourages corneal regeneration, which means that once the cornea heals, more vigorous activities can be resumed without issue.
Recently, a new vision correction procedure called SMILE LASIK has been developed. SMILE (SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction) is an abbreviation for "Small Incision Lenticule Extraction", which means "minimally invasive corneal surgery". Unlike LASIK and LASEK, SMILE LASIK does not create a corneal flap (incision). Instead, a laser is applied directly to the corneal stroma, and only a 2mm incision is made on the corneal surface to remove the necessary corneal tissue. In contrast, LASIK and LASEK involve incising about 20mm of the cornea, which can potentially damage the eye’s nerves, leading to dry eye symptoms. Moreover, as more corneal tissue is removed, it can change the shape of the cornea, increasing the risk of side effects like glare.
However, SMILE LASIK minimizes the incision to just 2mm, reducing the risk of side effects like dry eyes or glare. Additionally, because of the smaller incision, recovery is faster. Patients can return to daily activities as soon as the next day, making it ideal for those who hesitate to undergo vision correction surgery due to time constraints, such as students or professionals. Moreover, since SMILE LASIK causes minimal corneal damage, it can also be an option for those with high myopia. Orthokeratology (dream lenses), on the other hand, is a method of correcting myopia without surgery. When worn during sleep, dream lenses reshape the cornea, allowing for corrected vision throughout the day. The lenses work by flattening the central part of the cornea, thereby reducing the refractive power and correcting myopia. There are no age restrictions for dream lenses. They are effective for children during their growth phase, people who cannot wear contact lenses due to side effects, and even those who have experienced post-surgery vision deterioration. Especially for growing children with progressive myopia, wearing dream lenses can help slow down myopia progression more effectively than wearing regular glasses. If you're considering vision correction surgery, it’s crucial to have a thorough consultation with an experienced medical professional. Factors such as age, eye condition, lifestyle, occupation, and hobbies should be carefully considered to achieve satisfactory results after surgery.
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