SMILE Pro: Flapless Laser Vision Correction for Nearsightedness, Astigmatism and Farsightedness

Medically reviewed by Dr. Fouad El Sayyad, Consultant Ophthalmologist — Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery · Last reviewed: October 2026

Quick answer: SMILE Pro is a flapless laser vision correction procedure performed with the ZEISS VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser. The laser shapes a thin lens-shaped piece of tissue (a lenticule) inside the cornea in under 10 seconds, which is then removed through a small incision of a few millimetres. I use SMILE Pro for nearsightedness usually up to −8 D (up to −10 D in selected cases), astigmatism up to 4–5 D, and farsightedness up to +4 to +5 D. I perform it at ProVision Eye Center in New Cairo.

Key Takeaways

• SMILE Pro corrects vision without creating a corneal flap. The laser works through an incision of a few millimetres.
• The ZEISS VisuMax 800 creates the lenticule in under 10 seconds, so the time under the laser is very short.
• In my practice, SMILE Pro treats nearsightedness usually up to −8 D (up to −10 D in selected cases), astigmatism up to 4–5 D, and farsightedness up to +4 to +5 D.
• Most patients return to desk work within two to three days.
• The refractive screening decides whether SMILE Pro, Femto-LASIK, PRK, an ICL or no surgery is right for your eyes.

What Is SMILE Pro?

SMILE Pro is the latest generation of SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), a laser vision correction procedure in which no flap is created. Instead of lifting a flap and reshaping the cornea underneath, as in LASIK, the femtosecond laser shapes a thin disc of tissue inside the cornea. I then remove it through a small incision of a few millimetres. Removing this lenticule changes the shape of the cornea and corrects the prescription.

Because the front of the cornea is mostly left intact, SMILE Pro is a gentle, keyhole approach to laser vision correction. ZEISS reports that more than 10 million SMILE procedures have been performed worldwide.

Why Does the ZEISS VisuMax 800 Matter?

SMILE Pro is performed only on the ZEISS VisuMax 800. In my experience, the laser itself makes a real difference to how the procedure feels for patients:

• Speed: the VisuMax 800 has a 2 MHz pulse rate and creates the lenticule in under 10 seconds, so the time your eye is held by the laser is very short.
• Centration: the CentraLign system helps centre the treatment precisely on your eye.
• Astigmatism alignment: OcuLign uses an image of your iris from the pre-operative scan to adjust for any rotation of the eye when you lie down, which matters when treating astigmatism.

The same laser can also create the flap in Femto-LASIK. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the VisuMax 800 with SMILE Pro software for nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in 2024.

Can SMILE Pro Treat Farsightedness (Hyperopia)?

Yes. SMILE for farsightedness, with or without astigmatism, received European CE approval on the VisuMax 800 in 2024, the first lenticule extraction treatment for hyperopia in Europe. We offer it at ProVision Eye Center for farsightedness up to about +4 to +5 D.

Hyperopic correction is different from myopic correction. Instead of flattening the centre of the cornea, the laser steepens it, which is technically more demanding. In my practice, I select hyperopic patients carefully, especially for corneal shape and the angle and pressure of the eye. Patients over about 45 to 50 who are farsighted may be better served by a lens-based option, such as refractive lens exchange, because their own lens is starting to change. I discuss this honestly at the screening.

Who Is a Good Candidate for SMILE Pro?

SMILE Pro may be a particularly good choice if you play contact sports, have a physically active job, or have mild dry eye, because there is no flap. Above about −10 D, I usually prefer an implantable contact lens (ICL). Read the full list of requirements for laser vision correction.

Who Should Not Have SMILE Pro?

• Keratoconus or a cornea that looks weak on tomography
• A prescription outside the ranges above, or one that is still changing
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (I wait until at least 1–3 months after breastfeeding ends)
• Uncontrolled diabetes, active eye infection or inflammation, or severe dry eye
• Over 50 with early lens changes, where lens exchange may be the better long-term option

“When patients ask me whether SMILE Pro is better than LASIK, I tell them both give excellent vision. The real question is which one suits your cornea and your lifestyle. For someone who plays contact sports, or simply prefers not to have a flap, SMILE Pro is often my first choice.”

What Happens During the SMILE Pro Procedure?

You spend about 10–15 minutes in the laser room for both eyes. Most of that time goes into checks and preparation, not laser. The laser itself works for under 10 seconds per eye.

1. Checking your data: before you come in, I review your scans and treatment plan, the laser is calibrated, and the treatment data are checked twice and confirmed.
2. Safety time-out: before we start, the team does a final time-out to confirm your name, the eye being treated and the treatment plan.
3. Preparing the eye: numbing drops are placed, and the skin around the eye is cleaned and covered with a sterile drape. A small clip gently keeps your eyelids open so you do not need to worry about blinking.
4. The laser: you look at a target light and the VisuMax 800 makes gentle contact with the eye. I talk you through every step. The laser shapes the lenticule in under 10 seconds.
5. Removing the lenticule: I separate the lenticule and remove it through the small incision. This usually takes 1–2 minutes.
6. The second eye: the same steps are repeated for the other eye. You rest for a short while and go home the same day with someone to accompany you.

You are awake throughout. The procedure is not painful, though you may feel light pressure for a few seconds.

What Is Recovery Like After SMILE Pro?

Most patients have mild discomfort and watering for a few hours. Vision is usually clear enough for daily life within a few days, and continues to sharpen over the following weeks. Most people return to desk work within two to three days.

• Avoid eye makeup for about two weeks.
• Avoid swimming and sauna for about two weeks.
• Do not rub your eyes, especially in the first week.
• You can usually return to the gym after about a week; avoid contact sports for about four weeks.

Read the full recovery guide and how to plan around work, exams and travel.

What Results Can You Expect?

Most suitable patients see well without glasses for daily activities after SMILE Pro. Results cannot be guaranteed, and some patients still need glasses for certain tasks. A small number need a second treatment (enhancement). After SMILE Pro, I can do this either by converting the treated area into a LASIK flap or with surface treatment (PRK), depending on the eye. In my practice, an enhancement within the first year carries no additional surgical fee when it is medically indicated.

What Are the Risks of SMILE Pro?

SMILE Pro is a safe and well-established procedure, but no surgery is risk-free. Possible problems include temporary dry eye, glare or halos at night in the early months, slower visual recovery in the first days compared with LASIK, a small remaining prescription that may need enhancement, and, rarely, difficulty removing the lenticule or inflammation under the surface. Very rarely, any corneal laser procedure can weaken the cornea (ectasia), which is why careful screening matters. Read about laser vision correction risks and safety.

SMILE Pro, Femto-LASIK or PRK: Which Is Right for You?

All three correct vision well. The right one depends on your cornea, your prescription and your lifestyle. For a head-to-head comparison, read Femto-LASIK vs SMILE Pro, and for help choosing between all three, see Femto-LASIK, SMILE Pro or PRK.

Where Is SMILE Pro Performed?

I see patients for consultation and refractive screening at Sayyad Eye Center in Mohandeseen and New Cairo. SMILE Pro is performed at ProVision Eye Center in Eterna Healthcare City, Mivida, New Cairo, on the ZEISS VisuMax 800.

How Much Does SMILE Pro Cost?

See the LASIK and SMILE Pro price guide.

What Patients Say (Google Reviews)

I had my SMILE Pro procedure with Dr. Fouad El Sayyad and had a great experience. Dr. Fouad was very professional, and from the first examination before the procedure to the final follow-up afterwards, I always felt that I was in good hands. He explained everything clearly, was very reassuring, and came across as highly trustworthy throughout the entire process.

Google review · Sayyad Eye Center, New Cairo · September 2026

I had Femto SMILE with Dr. Fouad El Sayyad. Recovery was fast, it was a very nice experience, and the care was excellent.

Google review · Sayyad Eye Center, Mohandeseen · August 2026 · translated from Arabic

Where Does Dr. Fouad El Sayyad See Patients?

• Sayyad Eye Center, Mohandeseen: 3A Gameat El Dowal El Arabeya St., Sphinx Square.
• Sayyad Eye Center, New Cairo: Medical Park 2, opposite New Cairo Court.
• ProVision Eye Center: Eterna Healthcare City, Mivida, Road 90, New Cairo (refractive surgery only).

To book an appointment with Dr. Fouad El Sayyad, call or WhatsApp 01000088168.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SMILE Pro the same as LASIK?

No. Both reshape the cornea, but LASIK lifts a flap and treats the cornea underneath, while SMILE Pro removes a thin lenticule through a small incision with no flap. Long-term vision is similar; the main differences are the flap, early recovery and suitability for certain eyes.

Can SMILE Pro treat astigmatism?

Yes. In my practice, SMILE Pro treats astigmatism up to about 4–5 D, together with nearsightedness or farsightedness. The VisuMax 800 uses an iris image to compensate for eye rotation, which helps align the astigmatism treatment.

Does SMILE Pro treat farsightedness?

Yes. SMILE for farsightedness received European CE approval on the VisuMax 800 in 2024. We offer it at ProVision Eye Center for farsightedness up to about +4 to +5 D, in carefully selected patients.

What is the maximum prescription for SMILE Pro?

In my practice, usually up to −8 D of nearsightedness, and up to −10 D in selected cases with a suitable cornea. Above about −10 D, I usually prefer an implantable contact lens (ICL).

Is SMILE Pro painful?

No. Numbing drops are used, the laser works for under 10 seconds per eye, and removing the lenticule takes 1–2 minutes. You may feel light pressure. Afterwards, mild discomfort and watering usually settle within a few hours.

How long does SMILE Pro take?

You spend about 10–15 minutes in the laser room for both eyes, including data checks, a safety time-out and preparing the eye. The laser itself works for under 10 seconds per eye, and removing the lenticule takes about 1–2 minutes.

When can I go back to work after SMILE Pro?

Most people return to desk work within two to three days. Vision continues to sharpen over the following weeks.

Is SMILE Pro better for dry eye?

Because no flap is created, SMILE Pro may cause less dry eye in the early months than LASIK, so it can be a good option for people with mild dry eye. Significant dry eye is treated first, and severe dry eye may rule out laser vision correction.

What if I need an enhancement after SMILE Pro?

If a small prescription remains, it can be treated by converting the treated area into a LASIK flap or with surface treatment (PRK), depending on your eye. An enhancement within the first year carries no additional surgical fee when it is medically indicated.

This article is for general education and does not replace an eye examination. Treatment decisions depend on your own eye assessment.

References

• ZEISS — VISUMAX 800
• ZEISS press release — U.S. FDA approval of the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software (January 2024)
• Insight News — ZEISS SMILE 10 million milestone as first hyperopia treatment CE approved (September 2024)
• American Academy of Ophthalmology — What Is Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)?
• Reinstein DZ, et al. Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE): history, fundamentals of a new refractive surgery technique and clinical outcomes. Eye and Vision. 2014.