Do you wish you didn’t have to wake up with blurry vision or need to use glasses or contact lenses to see? At Mehan Eye, we’re proud to offer our patients a revolutionary vision correction procedure called ZEISS SMILE.
For those that qualify, ZEISS SMILE can help you achieve visual freedom and allow you to see better than you ever thought possible.
ZEISS SMILE is a permanent vision correction procedure for patients that suffer from nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. ZEISS SMILE reshapes your cornea using a femtosecond laser to change the shape of your eye.
By correcting these refractive errors, our goal is to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses.
You may be a good ZEISS SMILE candidate if the following apply to you:
If you think that ZEISS SMILE sounds like it could be the vision correction procedure for you, the only way to know for sure is to schedule a free ZEISS SMILE consultation at Mehan Eye in Dayton, OH!
If you find out you’re a good candidate for ZEISS SMILE, the next step is to schedule your procedure. On the day of your surgery at Mehan Eye, we’ll begin by numbing your eyes with eye drops.
These eye drops help ensure you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the vision correction procedure. Next, an eyelid holder will be used to keep your eyes open and prevent you from blinking.
We’ll start by using the ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser to create a lenticule inside your cornea. A lenticule is a small contact lens-shaped layer of tissue which is just beneath the surface of your eye.
In less than 30 seconds, the laser will create the lenticule and a opening that’s <4 millimeters in length on the surface of your eye. Because the incision is so tiny, ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure. Because the laser is so gentle, most patients say the laser treatment felt like someone was putting a contact lens on their eye. Patients are able to see the entire time and because the ZEISS SMILE procedure is done on just the femtosecond laser, there is no odor, like with LASIK.
Once the opening is created by the laser, your surgeon will remove the lenticule thereby changing the shape of your eye and correcting your refractive error.
From start to finish, ZEISS SMILE only takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
There are no stitches to worry about and healing and recovery is quick. Instead, you can look forward to clearer vision that has no boundaries.
Inevitably, when ZEISS SMILE comes up, people start comparing it to LASIK. Although ZEISS SMILE and LASIK are both vision correction procedures, this is where most of the similarities end.
ZEISS SMILE is flapless. Only a small opening of less than 4 mm is created, thereby eliminating any potential risks associated with a LASIK flap. Patients have few restrictions because there is no flap.
One difference is that LASIK uses two lasers: a femtosecond laser and an excimer laser. ZEISS SMILE only uses a femtosecond laser.
The ZEISS SMILE procedure is comfortable, precise and fast. The laser portion takes less than 30 seconds using the VisuMax femtosecond laser. Because the treatment is done on just one laser, there is no need to move to another laser and patients are able to maintain vision during the treatment. Mehan Eye and the Air Force are proud to be the only clinics in Dayton, OH able to offer the soft touch of the VisuMax, an important aspect when selecting an eye surgeon, wouldn’t you agree?
ZEISS SMILE preserves more of the corneal nerves, making this an ideal treatment for patients who may suffer from contact lens intolerance and dry eyes. Following ZEISS SMILE, many patients report less dry eye than with LASIK, resulting in less discomfort and better vision.
Although these are usually temporary and dissipate on their own, if you are already predisposed to dry eyes, you may find that you don’t qualify for LASIK.
Once you’ve had ZEISS SMILE, most patients resume all of their normal activities as quickly as the next day, including showering, exercise, and wearing makeup. Our ZEISS SMILE patients don’t have to wear those eye shields to sleep, since there is no flap. Of course, Dr. Mehan will instruct you on your particular activities and when it’s safe to resume them.
After the procedure, you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you home. Although your vision may start improving almost immediately, you shouldn’t operate a vehicle the day you have ZEISS SMILE.
Each patient is different, but your vision should stabilize within a few days to a week after having ZEISS SMILE.
As the numbing eye drops start wearing off, you may feel some minor discomfort, such as a foreign body sensation or some tearing. Lubricating drops typically alleviate any such symptoms. Nothing during your recovery should be considered painful. If you experience any pain, redness or decreased vision at any time, call Dr. Mehan.
You should plan to rest once you get home after having ZEISS SMILE at Mehan Eye. Resting your eyes as much as possible is the best way to begin your recovery.
Most patients find they have no problem returning to work the next day. You’ll need to return for periodic follow-up appointments after ZEISS SMILE. Your ophthalmologist will discuss this schedule with you and ensure you schedule your appointments.
1020 Woodman Dr. Suite 200
Dayton, OH 45432
