Under ~10 min (both eyes)
Back to daily life in 1-2 days
SMILE PRO is the next-generation upgrade of the original SMILE procedure. It keeps the same principle of removing a lenticule through a small incision without any flap, while the laser pulse fires faster and the centration and astigmatism-axis alignment are now automated, shortening the laser time. If you want to leave glasses and contacts behind but prefer a flapless, stable method, SMILE PRO is a more refined step in that direction. To be honest, though, this is not an entirely new surgery — it is SMILE made more precise — and whether it suits you is ultimately decided by your exam.
A next-generation, flapless upgrade to SMILE, adding faster laser delivery, automatic centration, and automatic astigmatism-axis alignment for greater precision and comfort. Shorter laser time also means an easier experience during surgery.
- Faster laser, shorter op
- Auto-centration
- Auto astigmatism axis
Is it right for me?
A good fit if
- A good fit if you have moderate myopia or myopic astigmatism and prefer a flapless approach.
- Your cornea is thick enough and your topography is stable, making lenticule extraction appropriate.
- You play sports, do contact martial arts, or spend a lot of time outdoors and want to reduce flap-related trauma risk.
- Busy professionals or students who need a short recovery, and overseas patients with limited time in Korea.
- If you are going to have vision correction anyway, you want the latest platform with automated centration and astigmatism-axis alignment.
Consider carefully if
- For hyperopia, very high prescriptions, or presbyopia, another option may suit you better than SMILE PRO — we will tell you honestly after the exam.
- If your cornea is thin, there are signs of keratoconus, or you have severe dry eye, we will not push the procedure — safety comes first and we review alternatives together.
1How SMILE PRO differs from SMILE
The core principle of both procedures is the same: a femtosecond laser shapes a thin tissue called a lenticule inside the cornea, and through a small incision of about 2–4mm — with no flap — that tissue alone is removed to correct your prescription. The difference is in the 'how.' In SMILE PRO the laser pulse repetition rate is faster, so creating the lenticule takes less time, and while you fixate on the target light, automatic centration plus automatic cyclotorsion (eye-rotation) and astigmatism-axis alignment are at work. In short, it is not a new kind of surgery, but the same surgery refined to be faster and better aligned.
2Why automated alignment matters
The eye rotates slightly between sitting and lying down, and between the exam and the surgery. For people with astigmatism in particular, even a 1–2 degree misalignment of this rotation can reduce the correction. SMILE PRO recognizes the eye's rotation during surgery to align the astigmatism axis automatically, and centers the laser on the pupil center automatically. Part of what used to be marked and aligned by hand is now corrected at the device level. This is not a guarantee that you will simply 'see better' — but it is a reasonable advance that helps make astigmatism correction more consistent.
3What we always check before surgery
We never decide on surgery without a thorough exam. We look at corneal thickness, topography, pupil size, tear film, and whether enough residual cornea can be preserved. We also check that your prescription is stable (recent changes), that there are no asymmetric findings suggesting keratoconus, and that the retina and fundus are otherwise healthy. We recommend SMILE PRO only when this data shows it is right for you. If another method looks safer, we say so honestly — because your lifelong vision matters more than any single recommendation.
4SMILE PRO vs SMILE, LASIK, or LASEK — who fits where
The right answer differs by person. LASIK creates a flap and recovers quickly but leaves a flap-related risk if the eye is injured; LASEK reshapes the surface, so recovery takes a little longer but it remains an option for thinner corneas. SMILE works through a small incision with no flap, striking a balance between them, and SMILE PRO is that same SMILE refined to be faster and automatically aligned. So for someone who fits SMILE, SMILE PRO can be a step-up choice. Conversely, if your prescription or cornea does not suit SMILE itself, the name 'PRO' alone will not make it suitable.
5Support for patients coming from abroad
Healing Eye is directly in front of Sinnonhyeon Station, a one-minute walk, and about 70 minutes from Incheon Airport. We have on-site Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and English interpreters, so you can understand your exam results and the surgical explanation precisely in your own language before deciding. One dedicated surgeon stays responsible from exam through surgery and aftercare, and we promise a lifetime surgery guarantee. As an institution registered for international patients, we can guide you from the moment you land, so even a short trip can be planned comfortably.
How the surgery goes
- 1
Thorough exam and consultation
We measure corneal thickness, topography, pupil, and tear film, and confirm together whether SMILE PRO suits you. If it does not, we honestly suggest alternatives.
- 2
Anesthetic eye drops
We use anesthetic eye drops, not injections. There is little to no pain during surgery — we only need you to lie back and look at the fixation light.
- 3
Laser shapes the lenticule (automated alignment)
The faster femtosecond laser forms the lenticule in a short time while automated centration and astigmatism-axis alignment work at the same time. You simply keep looking at the fixation light.
- 4
Lenticule removed through a small incision
Through a small 2–4mm incision, only the shaped lenticule is gently removed. Because no flap is created, there is less disruption to the corneal surface.
- 5
Same-day check and going home
Right after surgery we check your eyes and explain your drops and precautions. Most patients go home the same day, and we schedule a next-day follow-up to confirm your progress.
Recovery timeline
You may feel some foreign-body sensation, tearing, or slight haziness, so it helps to rest your eyes for a few hours. Most people notice things brightening by that evening.
We check your recovery at the next-day visit. With no flap, returning to daily life tends to be relatively quick, but recovery speed varies, so please hold off on strenuous activity for a while.
Your vision gradually stabilizes and dryness eases. Keep using your prescribed drops and protect your eyes from UV outdoors. We schedule follow-up visits to match your timeline.
One dedicated surgeon stays with you through aftercare. Healing Eye promises a lifetime surgery guarantee, and even if you are abroad, we help with follow-up consultations through our interpreters.
Why Healing Eye
One dedicated surgeon is responsible from exam through surgery and lifelong care. You never have to repeat your story to a different doctor each visit — the surgeon who knows your eyes from the start stays with you, backed by a lifetime surgery guarantee.
On-site Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and English interpreters mean you can understand your exam numbers and the surgery in your own language before you decide. Decisions about your eyes should be made without misunderstanding.
We do not charge foreigners more. The price is 100% the same as for local Korean patients, with no tourist markup. Your exact quote is given transparently in the free consultation after your exam.
Your surgeon, Dr. Kim Sun-young, specializes in cornea, glaucoma, and cataract, holds an MS from the Catholic University College of Medicine with a clinical-professor background, and is a member of ESCRS. One minute on foot from Sinnonhyeon Station and rated 4.8★ on Google (154+ reviews), the clinic offers both convenience and trust.
SMILE PRO — see if it fits you in 1 minute
Your exact candidacy and cost are confirmed in a free 1:1 consultation. No pressure, in your own language.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is SMILE PRO actually different from plain SMILE?
The principle is the same — a flapless procedure that removes a lenticule through a small incision. SMILE PRO simply uses a faster laser pulse and adds automated centration and astigmatism-axis alignment, so the laser time is shorter and alignment is more consistent. It is best understood as a precise upgrade of the same surgery rather than a brand-new one. Which is right for you is decided by the exam, and you are welcome to ask us on a free LINE or WhatsApp consultation.
Does it hurt, and how long does it take?
Because we use anesthetic drops, there is little to no pain during surgery. The laser time itself is very short, and even including preparing and treating both eyes, your time in the operating room is not long. You may have some foreign-body sensation or tearing for a few hours afterward, but it usually settles quickly. If pain is a real worry for you, tell us at the consultation and we will walk you through it in more detail.
How long is recovery, and how many days do I stay in Korea?
With no flap, returning to daily life tends to be relatively quick, but recovery speed varies from person to person. The next-day check is important, so we usually suggest planning for a few days that include the surgery and the day-after visit. Your exact length of stay depends on your prescription, job, and schedule back home, so we recommend confirming with a free consultation before you book flights. We will plan it around your trip.
Could I be a candidate for SMILE PRO?
Honestly, no one can promise an answer before the exam, because it requires weighing your corneal thickness and topography, prescription, pupil size, and tear film together. If you have moderate myopia or myopic astigmatism with a stable cornea, you are more likely to be a candidate, but if your cornea is thin or shows signs of keratoconus, we may recommend another method. Send us your current prescription and situation on a free LINE or WhatsApp consultation and we will give you a rough direction first.
Is it safe? Are there side effects?
No vision correction can be called zero-risk. SMILE-family procedures have a lower risk of flap-related complications since there is no flap, and SMILE PRO improves the consistency of astigmatism correction through automated alignment — but early dryness or temporary glare can still occur. That is exactly why we screen strictly with the exam and do not recommend it if we judge it unsuitable. The principle that safety comes first is one we never compromise. Ask us anything in the consultation and we will answer honestly.
What does it cost, and is it more expensive for foreigners?
We do not charge foreigners more. The price is 100% the same as for local Korean patients, with no tourist markup. That said, the exact figure depends on your exam results and the method applied, so we feel it would be dishonest to fix a number before the exam. Request a free LINE or WhatsApp consultation and we will give you a transparent quote after your exam.
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