SMILE Laser Vision Correction (SMILE Pro)

You’ve probably heard about LASIK for ditching glasses and contacts, but there’s something even better for certain eyes: SMILE laser vision correction. Dr. Jennifer Wu, MD at One EyeCare LASIK calls it “LASIK 2.0” because it delivers the same amazing results with less dryness and zero risk of flap issues. If you’re ready to wake up and just see clearly without hunting for your glasses or dealing with irritating contacts, SMILE might be your perfect match.

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Understanding SMILE Laser Vision Correction (SMILE Pro)

SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, and it’s a laser procedure that corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism. If you’re nearsighted, your eyeball is too long or your cornea is too curved, which means light doesn’t hit your retina correctly. This makes distant objects look blurry, forcing you to depend on glasses or contacts just to see clearly across the room or drive safely.

Here’s what makes SMILE Pro so cool: it’s less invasive than LASIK. Instead of creating a corneal flap and using two different lasers, SMILE uses just one laser to create a tiny disc of tissue inside your cornea, which is then removed through a small incision. No flap means no flap complications, less nerve damage, and typically less dry eye after the procedure. For active people who worry about contact sports or getting bonked in the eye, SMILE Pro offers more durability and peace of mind.

Benefits of SMILE Laser Vision Correction

Less Invasive than Traditional Procedures

SMILE Pro requires only a small 2-4mm incision compared to the larger flap created during LASIK. This means your cornea stays stronger and more stable after the procedure. The smaller incision also means fewer corneal nerves are affected, which translates to faster healing and less post-procedure dryness. If you’ve been nervous about eye procedures, SMILE’s gentle approach makes it easier to feel confident about moving forward.

Reduced Risk of Dry Eye

One of the biggest complaints after LASIK is dry, uncomfortable eyes during recovery. SMILE Pro dramatically reduces this risk because the procedure preserves more of your cornea’s natural structure and nerves. Your eyes produce tears more normally after SMILE, which means you’re less likely to deal with that annoying scratchy, gritty feeling. If you already have mild dry eye or worry about post-procedure comfort, SMILE is often the better choice for keeping your eyes feeling good.

Perfect for Active Lifestyles

Love sports, martial arts, or outdoor adventures? SMILE Pro is ideal for people who live active lives. Since there’s no corneal flap that could potentially dislodge from trauma, you don’t have to worry about a stray elbow during basketball or an accidental bump affecting your results. You can get back to your favorite activities faster and with more confidence, knowing your eyes are more durable than they would be after traditional LASIK.

Quick Procedure with Fast Recovery

The actual SMILE Pro procedure takes just minutes per eye, and most patients are back to work and regular activities the next day. Unlike some vision correction options that require weeks of downtime, SMILE lets you get on with your life almost immediately. You’ll need to follow some simple aftercare instructions and avoid getting water in your eyes for a few days, but the recovery is surprisingly easy. Many patients notice clearer vision right away, with optimal results showing up within days or weeks.

Long-Lasting Vision Correction

SMILE Pro permanently reshapes your cornea to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, which means you can enjoy clear vision for years to come. Most people achieve 20/20 vision or better and finally throw away their glasses and contacts for good. Imagine waking up every morning and just seeing clearly without reaching for anything. While natural aging will eventually affect your near vision (hello, readers around age 50), your distance vision stays corrected, and there are options like RLE to address presbyopia when the time comes.

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Our SMILE Laser Vision Correction process

Your One-on-One Consultation with Dr. Wu

You’ll meet directly with Dr. Jennifer Wu at your first consultation, not just a technician or assistant. She takes a full hour to examine your eyes, discuss your lifestyle and visual goals, and explain all your vision correction options. This isn’t a rushed appointment where you feel ignored—it’s a conversation where your questions actually get answered. Dr. Wu will determine if SMILE Pro is the best fit for your unique eyes or if another procedure would give you better results.

Detailed Measurements and Personalized Planning

After thoroughly assessing your eyes with advanced diagnostic technology, Dr. Wu creates your personalized treatment plan. She takes multiple measurements to ensure accuracy and uses her own special formula (based on years of experience and patient outcomes) to fine-tune your procedure. This meticulous planning is why her enhancement rate is so low—she gets it right the first time. You’ll leave knowing exactly what to expect, how the procedure works, and what your recovery will look like.

The SMILE Pro Procedure Day

On procedure day, you’ll receive numbing drops so you won’t feel pain, just maybe a little pressure. Dr. Wu uses the advanced Zeiss SMILE Pro Laser VM800—the most cutting-edge technology available—to create and remove a tiny lenticule of tissue that reshapes your cornea. The whole process takes just minutes per eye, and most patients are surprised by how quick and comfortable it is. Before you know it, you’re done and on your way home to rest.

Simple Recovery Instructions for Optimal Healing

You’ll need someone to drive you home after SMILE Pro, and we recommend taking it easy the rest of that day. Use the prescribed eye drops as directed, avoid rubbing your eyes, and skip eye makeup for at least a week. Don’t swim or get water directly in your eyes for several days to prevent infection. These simple guidelines help ensure smooth healing and optimal results. Dr. Wu will text you the evening after your procedure to personally check on how you’re feeling—because your comfort and recovery matter to her.

Direct Access to Dr. Wu During Your Recovery

Dr. Wu sees you herself at your first post-procedure check-up to make sure everything is healing beautifully. She’ll monitor your progress through additional follow-up appointments to track your vision improvement and address any concerns. If you have questions at any time during recovery, you can reach Dr. Wu directly via text—no waiting days to hear back from someone who wasn’t even involved in your procedure. This direct communication and personal attention is what sets One EyeCare LASIK apart from larger vision correction centers.

Patient receiving detailed eye examination with slit lamp before SMILE laser eye surgery – smile eye surgery mesa

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Why Choose Us

Choosing where to have vision correction is just as important as choosing which procedure to get. At One EyeCare LASIK, you’re not just a number in a crowded surgery schedule. Dr. Wu is a cornea specialist with over 10 years of experience handling complex cases that other surgeons turn away. She’s performed over 500 cornea transplants and has successfully helped countless patients achieve clear vision even after being told “no” elsewhere.

What really makes Dr. Wu different? She’s had vision correction herself and has performed it on her own family members and the other doctors in her practice. That’s the ultimate endorsement. She’s also the first female surgeon in California to perform SMILE Pro, and she’s proud to be the only female and minority-owned vision correction practice in Orange County offering all five types of vision correction procedures. Recent studies show female surgeons have better outcomes than male surgeons, and Dr. Wu’s meticulous approach to planning, her low enhancement rate, and her 5-star patient reviews prove it.

Experience Vision Correction Done Right!

If you’re tired of irritating contacts that dry out by lunchtime or annoying glasses that fog up every time you drink coffee, it’s time to explore SMILE laser vision correction. Dr. Jennifer Wu, MD at One EyeCare LASIK offers personal 1:1 care, innovative technology, and exceptional results that have earned her a 5-star reputation. Ready to wake up and just see?

Call us at 949.208.9090 or visit us at 3033 Bristol St., Suite 123, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 to schedule your consultation. You can also connect with Dr. Wu on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube to see real patient results and learn more about what makes SMILE Pro the right choice for your eyes.

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FAQs

What is SMILE eye surgery?

SMILE eye surgery in mesa is a laser vision correction procedure that treats nearsightedness and astigmatism by removing a small disc of corneal tissue through a tiny incision. The femtosecond laser creates a lenticule (thin disc of tissue) inside your cornea, which Dr. Wu then removes to reshape the cornea and correct your vision. Unlike LASIK, SMILE doesn’t require creating a corneal flap, making it less invasive with a smaller incision and faster healing time.

Does SMILE eye surgery hurt?

No, SMILE eye surgery in mesa doesn’t hurt because Dr. Wu uses numbing eye drops before the procedure. Most patients report feeling only slight pressure during the few minutes it takes to complete the treatment, with no actual pain. After the procedure, you might experience mild discomfort or grittiness for a day or two, but this is minimal compared to other vision correction options and easily managed with prescribed eye drops.

Can SMILE eye surgery correct astigmatism?

Yes, SMILE Pro or Smile eye surgery in mesa can correct myopic astigmatism (astigmatism combined with nearsightedness) up to certain levels. The procedure reshapes the cornea to address both the irregular curvature causing astigmatism and the excessive curvature causing nearsightedness. During your consultation, Dr. Wu will measure your specific prescription and corneal shape to determine if SMILE is the best option for your degree of astigmatism or if another procedure would give you better results.

How long after SMILE eye surgery can you see?

Many patients notice improved vision immediately after SMILE Pro or smile eye surgery in mesa, though your vision may be slightly hazy at first. Most people see well enough to resume normal activities the next day, with vision continuing to sharpen over the following days and weeks. Optimal visual results typically stabilize within a few weeks, though some patients achieve their final results even sooner depending on their prescription and how quickly their eyes heal.

How long does SMILE eye surgery take?

The actual SMILE Pro or smile eye surgery in mesa procedure takes just a few minutes per eye, with most patients spending less than 15 minutes total in the procedure room. Dr. Wu works efficiently while maintaining her meticulous attention to detail to ensure the best outcome. From the time you arrive at the office to when you leave, expect to spend about an hour including pre-procedure preparation and brief post-procedure instructions before heading home to rest.

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