The Complete Guide to SMILE Pro A to Z:
SMILE Pro vs. SMILE — What's the Difference?

A Premium Vision Correction Guide from BGN Eye Clinic, Jamsil Lotte World Tower

"Doctor, contact lenses make my eyes feel dry so quickly."
"Wearing glasses with a mask fogs everything up — it's so frustrating."
"If I need a whole week off to recover, surgery just isn't realistic for me…"

When I hear "Is there a procedure with a fast, easy recovery?", I find myself nodding along. And these days, the word that comes up most often in my consultations is "SMILE Pro." Beyond LASIK, LASEK, and standard SMILE, this next-generation procedure has been generating incredible excitement among patients.

How SMILE Pro Works

SMILE Pro is fundamentally the same as standard SMILE in that it uses a small-incision lenticule extraction approach. However, the laser technology behind it has taken a significant leap forward — and that's the key.

What Is Lenticule Extraction?

This technique involves precisely cutting and removing only the thin layer of corneal tissue that needs to be corrected. Unlike LASIK, there's no large corneal flap; unlike LASEK, the epithelium isn't fully removed. Instead, a femtosecond laser creates a thin, disc-shaped piece of tissue (the lenticule) inside the cornea, which is then extracted through a tiny incision of about 2mm.

The size of that incision matters enormously. LASIK requires an incision of roughly 20mm, standard SMILE uses 3–4mm, but SMILE Pro reduces this to an average of just 2mm. This seemingly small difference has a major impact on recovery time and post-operative discomfort.

The Laser Upgrade

The most significant advancement SMILE Pro offers over standard SMILE is in laser speed and precision.

• Standard SMILE: Approximately 25–28 seconds
• SMILE Pro: Approximately 10 seconds or less

With the procedure time cut by more than half, the psychological burden of having to fixate on the laser light is greatly reduced. I like to explain it this way: if standard SMILE was 4G, SMILE Pro is the 5G upgrade.

A Step-by-Step Look at the SMILE Pro Procedure

1. Laser Planning After Eye Examination — Custom-Designed for Your Eyes

Before surgery, a comprehensive examination measures corneal thickness and astigmatism axis, among other parameters. Based on this data, the laser system is automatically calibrated to the exact correction values needed for your eyes. Think of it like a bespoke suit — a "blueprint made just for you" is prepared in advance.

2. Lenticule Creation — Sculpting Within the Cornea

The femtosecond laser fires to create a thin, disc-shaped lenticule at the precise depth within the cornea. This step typically takes around 10 seconds and involves virtually no pain. If your eye moves slightly, the laser automatically compensates — so there's no need to worry.

3. Micro-Incision — Opening Just 2mm

If LASIK is like lifting the entire roof off a house to make repairs, SMILE Pro is like opening a tiny hatch and removing only what needs to come out. With only a 2mm opening, there's virtually no visible wound on the surface, and recovery is remarkably fast.

4. Lenticule Removal — The Moment Vision Is Corrected

Using a delicate microsurgical instrument, the surgeon carefully extracts the lenticule. This is the moment the vision correction takes effect. No sutures or bandage contact lenses are needed — the eye naturally stabilizes within about a day.

The Benefits of SMILE Pro — Why Are Patients Paying Attention?

Greater Nerve Preservation Means Less Dry Eye

LASIK's flap creation severs a significant number of corneal nerves, which can lead to chronic dryness and irritation. SMILE Pro's 2mm micro-incision minimizes nerve damage, which means patients spend far less time relying on artificial tears afterward.

Superior Structural Integrity of the Cornea

Because the strong anterior corneal layers remain intact while only the internal lenticule is removed, the cornea maintains better resistance to external impact. This makes SMILE Pro especially well-suited for athletes, military personnel, and police officers with active lifestyles.

Better Quality of Vision, Not Just Quantity

The more uniform laser cutting reduces internal light scattering within the cornea. Patients report very high satisfaction with reduced glare and halos during night driving and other low-light activities.

Real Patient Stories — Why They Chose SMILE Pro

Pre- and Post-Operative Care Guide for SMILE Pro

Before Surgery

• Discontinue contact lens use: Stop wearing soft lenses at least 1 week before, and hard lenses at least 2 weeks before, to ensure accurate corneal measurements.
• No eye makeup on the day: Residual mascara, eyeliner, and similar products can interfere with examination accuracy.
• Optimize your condition: Get adequate sleep and stay well-hydrated to keep your eyes in their best possible state.

Post-Surgery Recovery Timeline

• Day of surgery: Avoid rubbing your eyes firmly and apply prescribed eye drops on schedule.
• First week: Take care to keep water out of the eyes directly and attend all scheduled follow-up visits.
• One month: Swimming and vigorous exercise become possible again. Use artificial tears frequently in dry environments.