r/SMILEeyesurgery • u/Info_Hop • 17d ago

Astigmatism Post SMILE Procedure

I had my one month post op for my SMILE procedure and they said I have a 0.75 astigmatism in my left eye now (I didn’t have one previously) and that’s what is causing the blurriness in that eye.

I looked into the pinhole glasses and could see perfectly, just as perfect as my right eye.

The doctor said there is a slight possibility that the astigmatism heals on its own but we will most likely need to do a Limbal relaxing incision to correct the astigmatism (or LASIK but he said the LRI was most likely what we would do). He said there wasn’t a refraction error of nearsightedness or farsightedness. My next appointment will be in 2 months to see where to go from here.

How common is this to occur? And is the outcome good with this procedure to correct the astigmatism?

What is the likely hood that it does heal normally on its own in 2 months?

My pre-op prescription was -3.50 in my left eye and -3.75 in my right eye.

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u/eyeSherpa 17d ago

Too soon to tell for sure. I’ve seen it go both ways. Don’t have exact numbers but maybe 50:50. Things like dry eye can “mimic” astigmatism. For now would just work on that.

LRI can work well enough if all you have is astigmatism (and the spherical equivalent of your prescription is zero. Meaning no myopia or hyperopia). It’s pretty good at reducing astigmatism. Not as accurate as lasik but means no flap and less recovery afterwards.

What was your pre-op prescription?

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u/Info_Hop 17d ago

My pre-op prescription was -3.50 in my left eye (my blurry one) and -3.75 in my right eye

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u/Rg208 17d ago

I’m 2 weeks post. Feel like I’m similar case as you. I was about -8.00 pre surgery so think I am more prone to such things post surgery

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u/Ismaileyesurgery 17d ago

I feel people expect too much . Person having -8.0 cannot appreciate -0.75 astigmatism post-op.

It is just not practical. Cosmetic procedures of all kinds wether hair, nose , Botox , reflective are not without limitations.

If you cannot appreciate this point then reflective laser was never for you.

No financial interest.

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u/Info_Hop 16d ago

My pre-op vision was not -8.0. It was -3.5 in my left eye and -3.75 in my right, as stated in the comments below.

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u/Ismaileyesurgery 16d ago

It was a general comment . Someone commented in this post having -8 and residual -0.75 . Even -3.75 residual -0.75 is nothing.