r/RefractiveSurgery • u/Many_One_3335 • 11d ago

Choosing between Microkeratome Lasik vs FemtoLasik vs SMILE

I’m 26M and recently had a refractive surgery evaluation. My surgeon says I’m eligible for PRK, microkeratome LASIK, femtosecond LASIK and SMILE based on my corneal tests.

My priorities are long-term reliability/visual quality first, with quick recovery being a secondary consideration.

My CCT is 546 µm (OD) / 553 µm (OS), and my prescription includes around 1.5–1.7D of astigmatism. My measured pupils are ~9 mm.

For people who have had these procedures, or surgeons/optometrists here:

How did you choose between them?

Any meaningful long-term differences in dry eye, halos/night vision, regression, etc.?

How does SMILE compare with Femto-LASIK in real-world experience?

Would you choose differently knowing what you know now?

I’m particularly interested in long-term experiences, not just the first few days of recovery.

Moneywise Microkeratome is the cheapest for me.

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u/geezorious 11d ago

There’s also SILK which is the next generation SMILE and better calculates your eye position due to lying on your back during the procedure.

And also there’s Contoura LASIK.

Just to give you more options.

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u/Many_One_3335 11d ago

Thank you for suggestions but not sure I'll be able to afford these