SMILE LASIK Risks & Side Effects – What Patients Should Know


SMILE LASIK is one of the safest and most advanced vision correction surgeries available today, but like any medical procedure, it carries potential risks and side effects. Understanding them helps set realistic expectations and ensures you take the right steps for a smooth recovery.

Common and Rare Side Effects

Common, Short-Term Effects

  • Temporary blurred vision
  • Mild light sensitivity
  • Grittiness or foreign body sensation
  • Halos or glare at night
  • Mild dry eye symptoms

These typically resolve within days to weeks as your eyes heal.

Rare but Possible Complications

  • Infection or inflammation inside the eye
  • Overcorrection or undercorrection
  • Prolonged night vision disturbances
  • Interface haze or irregular healing
  • Very rarely, a need for additional corrective surgery

Managing Dry Eye and Halos

Dry Eye – SMILE generally causes less dryness than LASIK because fewer corneal nerves are affected, but some patients still experience it temporarily. Frequent use of preservative-free lubricating drops helps, especially during the first 1–3 months.

Halos & Glare – These are most noticeable at night during the first weeks after surgery. They usually fade as your brain adapts and the cornea stabilizes. Anti-reflective lenses or night-driving glasses may help in the meantime.

Enhancement Policies

If your results are not fully satisfactory after healing, some clinics offer enhancement procedures to fine-tune vision. This could involve a secondary laser treatment, PRK, or other methods. Policies vary by clinic — some include enhancements in the original price for a limited time (often 6–12 months), while others charge extra.

Expectations vs Reality

Expectation: Perfect, crystal-clear vision overnight.
Reality: Most patients see dramatic improvement within 24–48 hours, but mild fluctuations are normal for weeks or months.

Expectation: No side effects at all.
Reality: Temporary dryness, glare, or mild discomfort is common, but long-term complications are rare with experienced surgeons.

Expectation: SMILE works for everyone.
Reality: Not all patients are candidates — suitability depends on corneal thickness, prescription, and eye health.