2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
13 Refractive Surgery
Chapter 12: Emerging Technologies
Refractive Lenticule Extraction
Comparison With LASIK
Because SMILE does not involve creation of a flap, the procedure has potential advantages over LASIK. Therefore, flap-related complications are avoided. In addition to reduced aberrations, dry eye difficulty, and glare, SMILE offers the relative preservation of biomechanical stability due to the absence of a flap and the maintenance of anterior stroma lamellae. The procedure may be particularly appropriate for patients who are involved in contact sports or high-risk professions.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 13 - Refractive Surgery. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.