Who is a good candidate for SMILE?
Review age, prescription, astigmatism, corneal measurements, dry-eye findings, and when LASIK, PRK, or EVO ICL may fit better.
LASER VISION CORRECTION
SMILE LASIK. Flapless laser correction for qualifying myopia.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) corrects qualifying nearsightedness and astigmatism through a small corneal incision without creating a LASIK flap. Recovery, dryness, glare, and visual sharpness vary, so candidacy and follow-up matter as much as procedure choice.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
- 10 minPer eye
- FlaplessTiny incision only
- 22+FDA-labeled age
- -1D to -10DApproved myopia range
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
SMILE LASIK in Plano, TX · Serving Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Dallas & the North Dallas area
Is it right for you?
Who SMILE LASIK is for.
A likely fit
You may be a great fit if any of these sound familiar.
- Age 22+ under current FDA labeling
- Stable myopia (-1 to -10 D)
- Astigmatism up to ~3 D
- Active lifestyle, flap-free
- Mild dry-eye sensitivity
- Healthy corneas
- Want a small-incision option without a corneal flap
Worth a closer look
We may recommend something else if…
- Significant farsightedness
- Very high Rx: consider EVO ICL
- Active corneal disease
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
None of these are deal-breakers, they're reasons to look at the alternatives. We'll tell you straight at consultation.
See if your eyes qualify
Free 60-minute consult · If you're not a fit, we'll tell you.
How it works
How SMILE LASIK works.
- 01Step 01
Map your eye in 3D
DiagnosticsYour SMILE procedure begins with high-resolution corneal mapping. We measure the exact shape, thickness, and optics of each eye so the lenticule - the tissue the laser will shape inside your cornea - is planned precisely for your prescription.
- 02Step 02
Shape a lenticule inside the cornea
Single femtosecond laserA single femtosecond laser forms a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue called a lenticule inside the cornea. The surgeon accesses it through a small incision rather than creating a LASIK flap.
- 03Step 03
Remove the lenticule through a tiny incision
~4mm incisionYour surgeon gently removes the lenticule through a small incision just a few millimeters wide. Taking that tissue out changes the cornea's shape and corrects your nearsightedness and astigmatism - all in one continuous step, with no separate excimer laser.
- 04Step 04
Heal through a staged recovery
Recovery variesThe incision typically seals without stitches. Usable vision may return early, while sharpness, dryness, glare, halos, and light sensitivity can continue to change over the following days or weeks. Driving, work, exercise, swimming, and contact sports resume only after appropriate clearance.
Book your free visit
Questions about the procedure? We'll walk you through all of it.
Your visit
What to expect, start to finish.
- Step 0160 min
Free consultation
Comprehensive eye exam, corneal mapping, and a frank conversation about whether SMILE or LASIK is the right fit for your eyes.
- Step 0230 min
Pre-op imaging
Detailed scans drive your treatment plan. Follow the office's contact-lens pause instructions because timing depends on the lens type and whether the cornea has stabilized.
- Step 0310 min/eye
Surgery day
About 10 minutes per eye. The femtosecond laser does all the work in one continuous step.
- Step 04Individual
Recovery & follow-up
Vision often improves early and continues to settle. Follow-up exams assess healing, visual acuity, dryness, and when it is appropriate to resume driving, work, swimming, and sports.
Book your free visit
Your map, your candidacy, your plan — in one visit.
Guides
Keep comparing with the right context.
LASIK vs SMILE
Compare flap versus small-incision treatment, prescription range, recovery, dry-eye considerations, and activity planning.
Pricing
Clear costs. Real options.
One honest, all-in number — no surprises. Most patients use FSA / HSA, insurance, or 0% APR financing. Our Affordability page walks through every option in plain English.
The honest version
Why we don't discount SMILE LASIK
SMILE doesn't show up in $250-an-eye ads - but the same upsell ladder waits for you at discount centers. We quote one honest, all-in number for your SMILE procedure - with 0% APR financing if you'd rather spread it out.
What patients say
How does SMILE compare to LASIK?
LASIK creates a flap; SMILE removes a lenticule through a small incision. Under current U.S. labeling, SMILE treats qualifying myopia with or without astigmatism, while LASIK platforms may also treat hyperopia. Corneal shape, thickness, tear film, prescription, and visual priorities determine the fit.Can SMILE correct astigmatism?
Yes - modern SMILE corrects astigmatism up to about 3.0D. For higher amounts, LASIK or EVO ICL may be the better answer.Will I be glasses-free?
SMILE is intended to reduce or eliminate distance correction for qualifying prescriptions, but results vary. Some patients still use glasses for specific tasks, and reading glasses may be needed as presbyopia develops.Is SMILE painful?
Numbing drops are used before treatment. Pressure can be felt during the procedure, and scratchiness, tearing, dryness, or light sensitivity can occur afterward. Your surgeon should explain what is expected and what symptoms require a call.How much does SMILE cost?
Our Affordability page walks through every payment option - including FSA/HSA and 0% APR financing programs.What is SMILE recovery like?
Most patients notice usable vision within 1-2 days, with clarity continuing to sharpen over the first week. Because SMILE avoids a LASIK flap, many patients return to desk work quickly, while swimming, dusty environments, and contact sports still need surgeon-specific clearance.What are SMILE side effects?
Temporary dryness, light sensitivity, scratchiness, glare, or halos can happen after SMILE, especially early in healing. The candidacy visit looks at tear film, prescription, and corneal shape so we can compare SMILE side effects against LASIK, ASA/PRK, or EVO ICL.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
Other options
Not the right fit? Here's what else we offer.
Picking the right procedure is a diagnosis question, not a marketing one. If your eyes are better served by a different path, we'll tell you.
Related reading
Keep researching, on your terms.
Cost, safety, candidacy — the questions patients actually ask, answered in plain English in our patient education library.
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READY WHEN YOU ARE
See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Glasses on the nightstand. Contacts fighting you at the gym. The menu blurring at dinner. You don't have to live with it. Come find out what's possible for your eyes.
- 7,000+
- Surgeries by Dr. Shehz
- 2×
- Board-certified
- 1
- Surgeon. Every case.
- 5★
- Patient-rated on Google
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing