SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) differs from LASIK in which fundamental way?
- A SMILE uses excimer laser for tissue removal while LASIK uses femtosecond laser
- B SMILE treats higher refractive errors than LASIK can achieve
- C SMILE is an all-femtosecond flapless procedure where a refractive lenticule is dissected and extracted through a small arcuate incision without creating a corneal flap ✓
- D SMILE corrects hypermetropia but not myopia
Correct answer: C. SMILE is an all-femtosecond flapless procedure where a refractive lenticule is dissected and extracted through a small arcuate incision without creating a corneal flap
Explanation
SMILE is an all-femtosecond laser procedure that creates a refractive lenticule within the corneal stroma (without lifting a flap) and extracts it through a small 2–4 mm arcuate incision. It avoids flap-related complications (dislodgement, striae) and preserves more anterior corneal nerve innervation, resulting in less postoperative dry eye than LASIK. LASIK uses femtosecond laser to create the flap then excimer laser (ablation) for refractive correction. SMILE currently corrects myopia and myopic astigmatism; hyperopic SMILE is under development.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.