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Disclaimer

This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another.

Treatment comparison

Here, you’ll find an overview of the most popular laser eye surgery procedures. While all three laser vision correction options have high success rates, they differ in the way refractive errors are treated, the technique used and the clinical criteria for the procedure. Your eye doctor can help you understand which option is best for your individual eye condition.

This table below shows a range of treatment options used in refractive laser vision correction.

  • SMILE

    Lenticule Extraction with ZEISS SMILE
    Learn more

    Product features

    • Nearsightedness
    • Astigmatism
    • Minimally invasive, flapless
    • Established since the 2010s
    Find out more about SMILE

  • LASIK

    Laser-Assisted in SItu Keratomileusis
    Learn more

    Product features

    • Nearsightedness
    • Farsightedness
    • Astigmatism
    • Flap-based procedure
    • Established since the 1990s
    Find out more about LASIK

  • PRK/LASEK

    PhotoRefractive Keratectomy/Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy
    Learn more

    Product features

    • Nearsightedness
    • Farsightedness
    • Astigmatism
    • Reshapes the corneal surface, flapless
    • Established since the 1980s
    Find out more about PRK/LASEK

Recovery

  • Post-surgery

    Sleeping patch for the first few days

    Healing

    The lowest risk of dry eye symptoms compared to LASIK and PRK

    Most patients may go back to work within 24 hours after surgery

    Some irritation like fluctuation vision, light sensitivity or halos around lights are quite common in the first few days

    Activities

    Refrain from outdoor adventure and strenuous activities for approx. 1 month

  • Post-surgery

    Sleeping patch for the first few days

    Healing

    Highest risk of dry eye symptoms

    Temporary visual fluctuations, light sensitivity or light halos may occur in the hours right after the surgery

    Activities

    Refrain from outdoor adventure and strenuous activities for approx. 1 month

  • Post-surgery

    Bandage contact lens for about 3 days

    Healing

    Vision may be blurry or fluctuate for several weeks after surgery

    You may experience some discomfort, such as slight eye pain, burning, itching or sensitivity to light

    Lower risk of dry eye symptom than after LASIK

    Activities

    Refrain from outdoor adventure and strenuous activities for approx. 1 month

Make an informed decision

Lenticule Extraction with ZEISS SMILE, LASIK, and PRK/LASEK are all clinically proven, safe, and effective methods of laser vision correction. The three types of laser vision correction, while differing in technique, have approximately the same success rate concerning vision correction.

Which treatment is best for you depends on several factors like the refractive error, your profession, and habits such as lifestyle and sports. Each type of laser eye surgery has its own benefits and disadvantages, which you can read more about on the respective pages for Lenticule Extraction with ZEISS SMILE, LASIK and PRK/LASEK.

Find the right eye doctor

Let them help you to find the best option for your individual eye condition.
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This might also interest you

Learn more about the different laser vision correction solutions.

ZEISS SMILE

LASIK

PRK

Vision Correction Surgery

Eye surgeons perform laser procedures to reshape the cornea so that light is properly focused onto the retina in order to ultimately improve vision.

Overview
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    This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another.