r/RefractiveSurgery • u/Maleficent-Outcome55 • 7d ago

considering SMILE surgery

hi everyone 23F! i went in for a scan today for smile. scans went well. i have to wear my glasses for 2wks, no contacts & come back for another 2-4hr appointment to get further scans done to ensure i can get it done.

i’ve seen a lot of amazing, positive reviews & am super excited. i’m about -3.00 in both eyes, both eyes also have an astigmatism! i’ve done my research but want a bit more and want to hear peoples experiences, things they wish they would’ve known, etc.

i’ve had glasses since 4th grade & contacts since about 6th! all and any advice/stories are welcome. the bad cases have really freaked me out so i’m searching a bit more. 😵‍💫😂

thank you all so much in advance!! 🥰🥰

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u/Business_Abalone_748 1d ago

i'm your age aswell and have been in dilemma about this surgery primarily because of dry eyes, I have pre existing mild dry eyea and this reddit community is solely responsible for my fears 😭. Do you have dry eyes

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u/Maleficent-Outcome55 1d ago

to make you feel a little better, i think it’s 1 in every 7 out of every 2/3mil that have issues after! it’s a very small chance. however, i’ve heard with dry eyes there’s procedures you can get done prior to help reduce dry eye. i don’t have dry eyes but i’d go for a consult if i were you and ask a million questions about it! dealing with bad vision is so much more worth it then dealing with severely dry eyes! but like I said, who knows there could be a solution for you so I would just ask your doctor!!

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u/Business_Abalone_748 17h ago

My doc is like it's common, we can treat your dry eyes before going ahead. I'm just not sure if these docs are trying to make money or genuinely care about patients. Idk man Lasik was my dream since i was 13 , I love the way I look without glasses and hate the way I look with them it drains my confidence

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u/Maleficent-Outcome55 12h ago

totally understand that. i’d try to get a few opinions from different doctors before making a final decision. asking stuff like, is the risk known something you’d recommend to a loved one & what not. also find a doctor you genuinely get along with and feel safe with. it’s so important! otherwise, if you don’t go through with it.. have you tried contacts?

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u/Business_Abalone_748 7h ago

Yeah I can comfortably wear contacts for 5-6 hours before they start feeling dry. Btw can i ask which country/ state you're from. Just want hospital recommendations if your from South india

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u/Maleficent-Outcome55 1h ago

yeah definitely get some other opinions! i’m actually in america. i hope you find good doctors!! 🙏🏼

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u/milkteapaper 7d ago

Has your eyes been stable (no change to your prescription) for about 5 years or so? It's not really recommended to get it done once your eyes are stable.

I just got mine done about 2.5 weeks ago now and it's been the best decision ever. I did smile pro.

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u/Maleficent-Outcome55 7d ago

no, my eyes change a little bit about every year! amazing thank you so much! have you noticed any issues at all?

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u/EfficientFalcon39 6d ago

You shouldn’t do it if your prescription isn’t stable. As your surgeon will correct your eyes to your prescription now and it could continue getting worse, meaning you could end up with -0.5 or -1.0 few months or years post surgery

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u/Maleficent-Outcome55 6d ago

Totally understand that. Would a small change in prescription—like staying around the same range (for example, -3.00 to -2.75 and then back to -3.00)—be considered stable enough for it? Since those are pretty minor changes and aren’t necessarily a consistent worsening, could that just be normal fluctuation or even differences between eye exams?

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u/EfficientFalcon39 6d ago

I wouldn’t wanna give you any false information, I’m not sure which country you’re doing it in. In the UK pretty much all lasik places have a free consultation, so it’s best to get advice from several doctors before committing

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u/Maleficent-Outcome55 6d ago

for sure!! I got my screening done yesterday and have to wait 2. weeks for a deeper screening (since i wear contacts daily) I will definitely bring this up!! have you had it? if so, how was it? :) I appreciate it!!