What does the SMILE procedure involve?

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a flapless femtosecond laser refractive surgery. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to create a small, disc-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) inside the cornea, which is then removed through a tiny 2–4 mm incision. Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is created, preserving more of the cornea's structural integrity. The entire procedure typically takes 10–15 minutes per eye and is performed under topical anesthesia as an outpatient treatment.