Who is a good candidate for SMILE?

Good candidates are adults aged 21–45 with stable myopia (nearsightedness) up to -10 diopters and astigmatism up to -5 diopters. Ideal patients have healthy corneas, no history of keratoconus or severe dry eye, and a consistent prescription for at least one year. Contraindications include active eye infections, autoimmune diseases, pregnancy or nursing, and certain corneal irregularities. A comprehensive pre-operative evaluation is mandatory to confirm suitability.