SMILE LASIK. Flapless. One laser. Minimal disruption.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) corrects nearsightedness through a tiny corneal incision - no flap, fewer dry-eye effects, and a fast recovery that fits between a Friday afternoon and Monday morning.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Lifetime follow-up
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
- 10 minPer eye
- FlaplessTiny incision only
- Less dry eyevs. LASIK
- 1-2 daysVisual recovery
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
A minimally invasive alternative to LASIK for the right eyes.
SMILE uses a single femtosecond laser to create a small lens-shaped piece of tissue (a lenticule) inside your cornea, then removes it through a tiny incision. The cornea's outer layers stay structurally intact, no flap, no separate excimer step.
For the right candidate, the result is excellent vision correction with fewer of the dry-eye effects sometimes associated with LASIK, and a quicker return to daily life.
- Flapless, single tiny incision
- One laser, one continuous step
- Less dry eye than LASIK
- Most patients are back to work the next day
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 works entirely within the cornea, forming a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue called a lenticule. Because all the work happens beneath the surface and there is no flap, the cornea's outer layers stay structurally intact.
- 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 fast, with less dry eye
Next-day recoveryThe tiny incision seals naturally without stitches. Because fewer corneal nerves are disrupted than in LASIK, most patients report fewer dry-eye symptoms and are back to work the next day, with vision sharpening over 1-2 days.
The reasons that actually matter.
No flap, no flap risks
SMILE leaves the cornea's outer layers intact, eliminating a class of complications associated with LASIK flaps.
Tuned to your eye
Treatment plan is built on a high-resolution map of your specific eye, not a generic protocol.
Active-lifestyle ready
Athletes, parents, and anyone who can't afford LASIK's brief downtime often choose SMILE for its quicker structural recovery.
Lower dry-eye impact
Because corneal nerves are less disrupted than in LASIK, patients often report fewer post-op dry-eye symptoms.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Lifetime follow-up
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
Who this is- and isn't - for.
We don't push the envelope of safety to make you fit a procedure. If you aren't a great candidate, we'll tell you - and recommend the option that is.
You may be a great fit if any of these sound familiar.
- Age 18+
- Stable myopia (-1 to -10 D)
- Astigmatism up to ~3 D
- Active lifestyle, flap-free
- Mild dry-eye sensitivity
- Healthy corneas
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.
Your journey to visual freedom.
- 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 custom treatment plan. No contact lenses for two weeks beforehand.
- Step 0310 min/eye
Surgery day
About 10 minutes per eye. The femtosecond laser does all the work in one continuous step.
- Step 041-2 days + lifetime
Recovery & follow-up
Most patients see clearly within 1-2 days. Follow-ups at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.
Clear costs. Real options.
Most patients structure payment through FSA / HSA, insurance, or 0% APR financing via CareCredit and Alphaeon. Our Affordability page walks through every option in plain English, no surprises.
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
The questions we hear most.
Don't see your question? Call us at 214-972-2020 or book a free consultation.
How does SMILE compare to LASIK?
Both are excellent laser vision-correction options. LASIK creates a flap; SMILE uses a tiny incision instead. SMILE often produces fewer dry-eye effects and faster structural recovery, but LASIK can correct a wider range of prescriptions including farsightedness. We'll tell you which fits your eyes.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?
Most SMILE patients dramatically reduce or eliminate glasses dependence. The expectation we set is sharp distance vision that no longer requires correction for daily life.Is SMILE painful?
No. Numbing drops mean you don't feel the laser. You may feel pressure for about 30 seconds. Most patients describe mild scratchiness for a few hours after, then dramatic clarity.How much does SMILE cost?
Our Affordability page walks through every payment option - including FSA/HSA and 0% APR financing programs.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
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.
See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Reaching for your glasses on the nightstand. Fighting contacts at the gym. Watching the menu blur at dinner. These aren't problems to live with anymore, and the only place to find out what's actually possible for your eyes is in the chair.
- 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
- Lifetime follow-up
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing