Procedures | SMILE Vision Correction

SMILE Vision
Correction

Smile Vision Correction in Kansas City

SMILE – short for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction – is a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. SMILE Vision Correction in Kansas City is the latest technique to join Durrie Vision’s lineup of laser vision correction solutions. Recognizing that everyone’s eyes are unique, our philosophy is to provide a range of safe, effective solutions that enable our surgeons to identify the best procedure and the best treatment technology for each individual.

Who is a Candidate for SMILE?

The degree of the refractive error as well as the thickness and shape of the cornea are all factors that can affect candidacy. During our Advanced Ocular Analysis, you will experience thorough diagnostic testing and meet with a surgeon to determine what procedure is best for you.

SMILE Vision Correction in Kansas City may be an excellent solution for someone who:

  • Is at least 18 years old
  • Has mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism

SMILE vs. SBK Advanced LASIK?

Though both SMILE Vision Correction in Kansas City and SBK Advanced LASIK result in clear vision while reducing or eliminating your dependency on glasses and contact lenses, there are differences in both the candidacy and procedural technique.

SMILE Vision Correction corrects the refractive error by removing a small amount of corneal tissue. Whereas in SBK Advanced LASIK, the correction is made by reshaping the cornea with the excimer laser.

SMILE Treatment Process

On the day of the procedure, patients can expect to be in our office for 90 minutes.

While the entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes, the laser portion of the treatment is completed in only a few seconds.

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    Step 1

    Pre-operative preparations

    Several tests will be repeated to verify measurements. An optional mild sedative is offered to patients and anesthetic eye drops are applied to numb the eye. A small, gentle eyelid holder is placed between your eyelids so you don’t have to worry about blinking during the procedure

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    Step 2

    Prep the cornea

    Using the Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond laser, a thin lenticule and small incision are created inside the cornea.

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    Step 3

    Reshape the cornea

    The surgeon then removes the lenticule through the incision with minimal disruption to the cornea. Removing the lenticule changes the shape of the cornea, thereby achieving the desired refractive correction.

SMILE Vision
Correction Recovery

You can expect your vision to be blurry the first few hours after surgery, and then rapid and significant improvement in vision will occur. Studies have indicated most patients were seeing 20/20 or better within four hours after surgery.

The following morning we will see you for a quick one day, post-operative visit with our team of doctors, and review any questions you may have.

The Benefits of Laser Vision Correction

  • Save time

    Say goodbye to twice-daily contact lens cleanings. Laser vision correction gives you 5 more minutes at night and 5 more minutes in the morning. Over the course of 12 months, that adds up to 60 additional hours. What will you do with that extra time?

  • Live more simply

    Imagine no more contacts, glasses, or solutions to manage. Just wake up and see. Pack and go. Dive in and swim. You get the idea. Laser vision correction better accommodates a busy, active lifestyle.

  • Safety

    Did you know laser vision correction is 5x safer than wearing contacts? You’re more likely to develop a serious eye infection from contact lenses. Never worry about leaving your contacts in too long again with laser vision correction!

  • Save money over time

    While the cost of a vision correction procedure does come with an upfront investment, do you know how much you’re already spending on glasses and contacts? Try our cost calculator to see how it adds up over time.

Is SMILE right
for you?

Find out through our signature
Advanced Ocular Analysis

The first and most critical step in determining candidacy for a procedure is to schedule a complimentary Advanced Ocular Analysis, or AOA.

Going above and beyond a traditional LASIK screening, the AOA sets the foundation for exceptional visual outcomes with each patient’s long-term needs in mind.

Step 1
Examine the health of your eye

When it comes to refractive surgery, a routine eye exam or LASIK screening may ignore details that are critical to your outcomes. For this reason, Durrie Vision developed the AOA. Featuring the most advanced combination of diagnostic testing available today, the AOA uses cutting-edge technologies to provide a three-dimensional visualization and analysis of the entire ocular system.

Next Step
Step 2
Meet with a refractive surgeon

During the AOA, you will meet with one of our experienced refractive surgeons directly to discuss your results along with their recommendations. This is a unique component of the experience that provides an additional level of comfort and trust.

Next Step
Step 3
Recommend a treatment plan

After your exam, we’ll share with you an in-depth analysis of your eyes, taking all the time necessary to explain what the evaluation revealed. You will leave with a comprehensive report of everything we discussed along with any recommendations for treatment, cost, financing, and recovery time.

Start Over

Testimonials

  • McKensie Dopps

    “The quality of my life after LASIK is SO significant that I would’ve paid double or even triple the amount because it’s truly that incredible. Thank you, Durrie Vision for forever changing my life!!!”

  • Bill Self

    “I had a great experience at Durrie Vision, they are first class all the way. The attention I received made me feel like I can send anyone there. It is such a difference for me from an activity and coaching standpoint not to have to worry about dealing with contacts each and every minute.”

  • Laura Chambers

    “Durrie Vision has changed my life for the better. I have a WOW moment every day…from opening my eyes in the middle of the night and realizing I can see without my glasses, to being able to be ready for a run in 5 minutes in the morning…it’s always WOW! I am forever grateful for Dr. Stahl and his amazing staff.”

  • George Brett, MLB Hall of Famer

    I went to have coffee with a friend before my one day post-op visit, and told him I could read the newspaper that morning without my reading glasses!

  • Slimfast

    “Getting LASIK at Durrie Vision was one of the best things I’ve ever done. After being in glasses and contacts for most of my life, being able to see without them is amazing. In fact, I can see better than I ever did before. My biggest regret? That I put it off for so long.”

  • Hai Chen

    “The experience and applied research expertise at Durrie Vision inspired great confidence in the process. For myself, the entire process was informative, quick, and painless with minimal recovery period required.”

  • Lucy Delsarto

    “After Refractive Lens Exchange, my vision is incredibly sharp. Think of an HDTV vs. an older model. You often get so accustomed to what you see that you don’t realize what you are missing until you see it.”

  • James Bridgeford

    “I don’t believe my eyes have ever gotten such great care and consideration. Durrie Vision is known worldwide, and I feel very fortunate to be in Kansas City and be treated by Dr. Lindquist and the Durrie team. I was impressed with my entire experience – top-notch care and treatment from a team of people who made me feel special every time I saw them.”

LASIK FAQs

I have astigmatism. Can I still get LASIK?

Having astigmatism does not exclude you from laser vision correction. In fact, SBK Advanced LASIK in Kansas City is a superior treatment for astigmatism, which is simply a common refractive error like nearsightedness and farsightedness. When astigmatism is present, the cornea has a slightly different surface curvature in one direction or the other. LASIK in Kansas City eliminates the astigmatism by changing the curvature of the cornea, either by flattening or steepening.

What if I'm not a candidate?

Advancements in the field of vision correction have led to new procedures, techniques, and technologies that translate to more options for more people. Age, corneal limitations, and previous eye surgeries are all factors in determining your candidacy for a procedure. While SBK Advanced LASIK is the most commonly performed vision correction procedure at Durrie Vision, it’s not the only one – we have seven! During the Advanced Ocular Analysis, one of our experienced surgeons will obtain an analysis of your entire ocular system and evaluate the overall health of your eyes. This in-depth assessment provides our surgeons with the information needed to determine your surgical candidacy for any of the seven procedures offered at Durrie Vision.

What are the risks?

The decision to have a vision correction procedure is one only you can make. Serious complications with SBK Advanced LASIK are extremely rare. However, as with any medical procedure, the risk is not zero. Many of the risks associated with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated through careful patient selection and thorough preoperative testing using the latest diagnostic technology available at Durrie Vision.

How soon can I return to normal activities after my treatment?

The decision to have a vision correction procedure is one only you can make. Serious complications with SBK Advanced LASIK are extremely rare. However, as with any medical procedure, the risk is not zero. Many of the risks associated with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated through careful patient selection and thorough preoperative testing using the latest diagnostic technology available at Durrie Vision.

Does LASIK wear off?

One of the most common misconception about LASIK is that it wears off; but, the reality is that LASIK lasts. This fact is best understood with a quick anatomy lesson. The eye has two lenses – the cornea on the front surface and the lens inside. LASIK is a permanent change to the cornea, which addresses nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Natural changes in the internal lens of the eye can affect your near vision beginning in your 40s, which is due to a common condition called presbyopia. Additional technologies exist to improve vision when those changes occur.