Is every lenticule extraction method for vision correction surgery considered as SMILE?

 Is every lenticule extraction method for vision correction surgery considered as SMILE?

SMILE, which first appeared in 2009 through Germany’s ZEISS, has undergone continuous research and technological development, and currently holds the number one position in the global vision correction market. By 2022, over 7 million cases have been completed worldwide, with 1 million successful cases in Korea.

Recently, various manufacturers have introduced vision correction surgeries using the lenticule extraction method, leading to questions about which surgery is better and more stable.

The new vision correction surgeries mentioned above are based on the same principle as SMILE and are sometimes referred to as 4th or 5th generation vision correction surgeries due to their use of the latest equipment. This has caused confusion and misunderstandings among patients. Today, we will discuss how to distinguish between these new surgeries and SMILE.

First of all, the SMILE procedure and the lenticule extraction method are the same. Therefore, the terms "4th generation" or "5th generation vision correction surgery, SMILE" cannot be used to distinguish them based solely on the performance and specific methods of different manufacturers.

Among them, the use of a femtosecond laser that passes through the corneal epithelium without removing it to correct only the corneal stroma is referred to as 3rd generation vision correction surgery. This is the lenticule extraction method, with SMILE being a representative surgery.

To put it simply, the lenticule extraction method, including SMILE, belongs to 3rd generation vision correction surgeries since they all involve the femtosecond laser passing through the corneal epithelium. Therefore, it cannot be classified as a new 4th or 5th generation method.

Additionally, not all lenticule extraction methods by different manufacturers can be referred to as "SMILE." SMILE is a vision correction surgery developed in 2006 by Germany's ZEISS using the VisuMax laser, and it holds 240 patents related to the trademark "SMILE."

Furthermore, ZEISS's SMILE is based on over 7 million cases worldwide, and one distinguishing feature compared to other vision correction surgeries is that it is the only vision correction surgery approved by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

This FDA approval, obtained after rigorous review, is an important certification confirming that SMILE is a safe and effective vision correction option.

Therefore, for those considering SMILE, it is recommended to choose an ophthalmology clinic that has VisuMax from ZEISS, which has been proven safe with clinical data and FDA approval as explained above.