In spectacular news, the FDA has finally issued approval for SMILE to treat both myopia and astigmatism. This marks a major milestone in refractive treatments for patients in the United States, as individuals with nearsightedness and astigmatism have two excellent options in either LASIK or SMILE with Astigmatism to choose from.
What is SMILE with Astigmatism?
SMILE, or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, is a procedure done to correct nearsightedness. Much like LASIK or PRK, a femtosecond laser is used to make incisions into the cornea to adjust its shape. SMILE is the least intrusive of the three major procedures. SMILE is able to carve out a small piece of tissue from the interior of the cornea (called the ‘lenticule’), which can then be extracted via a small incision. The removal of the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, thereby correcting the patient’s nearsightedness. There is minimal damage done to the surrounding tissues. The new SMILE treatment makes adjustments to the laser settings, allowing for moderate levels of astigmatism to be treated as well.
Dr. Hamilton with Zeiss
Dr. Rex Hamilton, along with other leaders in refractive surgery, was recently invited to meet with Zeiss to discuss the future of SMILE.
As part of the meeting, Dr. Hamilton was interviewed by EyeWire TV about what the biggest benefits of SMILE will be for his patients.
To read the press release from Zeiss, click here!
