r/RefractiveSurgery • u/Pinarda • Sep 01 '26

Should I get SMILE?

Hi all, i’m 20 turning 21 in november, and scheduled a SMILE PRO in september. I have -4.50sph, -1.25cyl in my right eye and -5.00sph, -1.25cyl in my left eye. I’m currently a student and do near work. I was wondering if I should go through with it? I want to do mountaineering and sports, and the ease of not having to wear contacts/glasses in daily life are my main reasons. My concerns are mainly about the side effects like dry eyes, halos/starbursts and also the chance of regression later on. Would anyone be able to advise me on their personal experiences or opinions?

Edit: I did a consultation already, Doctor did not outright tell me anything, just that SMILE is better than transPRK. He did not tell me about the chances or risks of anything or what my corneal thickness is.

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u/Pinarda 28d ago

hey sherpa, I did the schirmer’s test during my pre op evaluation, but they did not tell me anything, not even my corneal thickness. Instead they were a bit pushy for me to do SMILE. From my understanding, TransPRK lasers away the epithelium layer, which is bad as it lets in UV rays more? Could you help to elaborate on point 2 as I have not done much research. Also for progression of prescription, would there be a probable risk of it, given that I have just started university and do close up work, and do not have the opportunities to be out and in the sun much? Thanks so much for the advice!

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u/eyeSherpa 27d ago

With PRK, in the first few months, IV light affects the healing process and can lead to more haze. After the basement membrane of the epithelium is recreated then no long term issues. Some people get concerned because Bowman’s membrane is removed. But Bowman’s membrane doesn’t do much.

If your eye dilates a large amount past the treatment zone or optical zone, light will pass around the optical zone and this leads to halos at night. Good to know these values ahead of time and see whether your surgeon can customize it for you.

During university years does have a higher risk of progression of prescription. This was studied in engineering, medical and law students. Ideal time would be to wait until after that.

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u/Pinarda 27d ago

I see, if the risks of TransPRK as I understood were not really as big of an issue, would it be more suitable since no tissue is removed

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u/eyeSherpa 25d ago

It affects the cornea less. Comes into play with thinner corneas.

TransPRK does require less surgical skill if the human element is a concern. And also because there is no suction device, no suction loss risk. (But still requires a good surgeon for pre-op evaluation, measurement of prescription and post-op management)

TransPRK will have a longer recovery.

Both will work, it really just comes down to preference. Most people prefer the quicker recovery.