LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE LASIK, Which One Is the Best?

BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil Lotte World Tower

Hello, this is BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil Lotte World Tower.

One of the questions we hear most often in the consultation room is:
"Which is better — LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE LASIK?"
"I heard LASIK is the best?"
"Someone told me SMILE LASIK is the only way to go!"

We hear this from so many patients, especially those who have been reading post-surgery reviews on social media and blogs before coming in.

As you may already know, a quick search online turns up countless phrases like 'SMILE LASIK has a faster recovery,' 'LASEK is painful,' and 'LASIK is the safe standard choice.' Many patients arrive having searched keywords like "SMILE LASIK review," which is why there's such a strong desire to compare the procedures and find out which one comes out on top.

Today, for everyone curious about which surgery is the best, we'd like to walk through the characteristics of LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK alongside the questions we hear most often in our consultations!

LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK… Here Are the Differences

Rather than saying one surgery is better or worse than another, we explain that each one is simply different. In reality, the three procedures differ slightly in method and characteristics — so it's not really a matter of ranking them! When explaining, rather than listing medical terms, we like to use analogies that patients can immediately relate to. Let us walk you through those analogies today!

LASEK: "Like scraping the skin after a fall"

LASEK involves removing the outer surface of the cornea, so it does require more time to recover. There may be some discomfort for a few days, but a key advantage is that it can also be performed on patients with thinner corneas.

LASIK: "Like lifting a flap and reshaping underneath"

Because surgery is performed by creating a corneal flap, many patients find that recovery is relatively quick and comfortable. However, patients with particularly thin corneas may not be suitable candidates.

SMILE LASIK: "Defined by a micro-incision"

Rather than creating a corneal flap, SMILE LASIK uses a small micro-incision. Because of this, many patients report that recovery is faster and returning to daily life is easier compared to other procedures. It is also the surgery that has been attracting the most patient interest recently.

Patients often tell us that explanations like these make the concepts click much more easily. Some say they feel better equipped to decide which surgery suits them once they understand the differences this way. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing that "Ah, now I get it!" look on a patient's face during a consultation!

Which Surgery Is Better? The One That Fits Your Eyes!

Many patients walk into the consultation room and ask, "Is LASIK better, or SMILE LASIK?" But what we always emphasize is that the focus should not be on "which surgery is superior," but rather on "which surgery is right for my eyes."

• If your corneas are thin, we would recommend LASEK or SMILE LASIK over LASIK.
• If you already experience significant discomfort such as dry eye syndrome, we would recommend SMILE LASIK.
• If cost is a consideration, we would explain LASEK and LASIK first before discussing SMILE LASIK.

Even people of the same age with similar lifestyles can have very different eye conditions and habits! That's why vision correction surgery is never about comparing procedures to find a winner — please never forget that the best choice is the one that fits you and your lifestyle.

If You're Considering Vision Correction Surgery, Keep These in Mind Too!

Before your hospital consultation, it can be helpful to create your own checklist and think through which procedure might suit you.

Pre-Surgery Checklist

• How many hours a day do you wear contact lenses?
• What are your lifestyle habits like — late nights, drinking, smoking?
• Do you have enough time to rest properly during the recovery period?
• Do you have any important upcoming events such as exams, job interviews, or military enlistment?

Going through questions like these will naturally help you think "Now isn't the right time" or "I can manage this well enough." Many patients who take the time to do this say they end up choosing a procedure that feels more right for them — and feel much more confident in their decision.

Don't Forget These Small Everyday Tips

Please also keep in mind the rules to follow before and after surgery.

• Stop wearing contact lenses for at least 1 week before surgery to ensure accurate examination results. This is essential!
• Avoid heavy drinking the night before surgery — it can affect the recovery process.
• Wearing protective eyewear helps shield your sensitive eyes right after surgery and throughout your recovery.
• Use artificial tears regularly! They make a big difference for patients who experience dryness after surgery.
• Reduce screen time — in the early stages of recovery, please minimize smartphone and computer use as much as possible. Eye recovery comes first!

These small habits, taken together, add up to a safer and more comfortable recovery. LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK are not procedures that can be ranked against one another. Each simply has its own distinct characteristics. What matters is how well each one fits your eyes and your lifestyle.

We encourage you to consider not just online reviews, but your own eye condition and lifestyle habits as your primary guide.

We also see the consultation itself not simply as a session to determine "whether surgery is possible or not," but as a process of reviewing every aspect of your situation together, so that you and your family can feel completely at ease.

"Doctor, so which surgery should I have? Which one is the best? Please just tell me what to do!"

Many patients ask us exactly this. And every time, our answer is: "There isn't a universally better surgery — there is only the surgery that is right for you." Now you know why.

BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil Lotte World Tower will always be by your side, thinking carefully alongside you to help you find the surgery you'll truly be satisfied with!