Table of Contents
Understanding the Duration of Silk Eye Surgery and SMILE Pro Procedure
Explore the expected duration of Silk eye surgery and SMILE procedure, key factors affecting the timeline, and recovery period.
Silk eye surgery and SMILE Pro are both laser vision correction procedures that use femtosecond lasers to reshape the cornea. However, the two procedures have some key differences, including the time they take. Understanding the duration of these procedures and the factors affecting the timeline can help patients prepare for their surgery and recovery.
Silk surgery typically takes about 20 minutes per eye, while SMILE Pro takes about 15 minutes. This is because SMILE Pro is a flapless procedure, while Silk surgery is a flap-based procedure. Creating a flap in the cornea takes additional time. However, both procedures are considered to be quick and minimally invasive.
Several factors can affect the timeline of these procedures. Some of the key factors include:
The patient’s prescription:
Patients with higher prescriptions may require a longer surgery as more laser energy is needed to reshape the cornea.
Health and medical history:
Patients with certain health conditions or medications may require additional pre-operative testing and preparation, which can affect the overall duration of the surgery.
Surgeon’s experience:
The experience and skill of the surgeon performing the procedure can also impact the timeline. Experienced surgeons may be able to complete the procedure more efficiently, resulting in a shorter surgery time.
Type of procedure:
As mentioned, Silk Eye Surgery and SMILE Pro have some differences in their techniques. SMILE Pro is typically faster as it only requires one laser and does not involve creating a flap on the cornea like Silk eye surgery.
Number of procedures:
Some patients may require additional procedures, such as a LASIK enhancement or PRK, which can add time to the surgery duration.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the steps involved in each procedure and how long each step takes:
Silk surgery
Preparation:
This includes numbing the eye with eye drops and placing a lid speculum to keep the eyelids open. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Creating the flap:
This is done using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. The flap is created by making a thin cut in the cornea. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Lifting the flap:
The surgeon then lifts the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue.
Reshaping the cornea:
An excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal tissue. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Replacing the flap:
The surgeon then removes it and smooths it out.
Post-operative care:
The surgeon will apply eye drops to the eye and place a bandage contact lens over the eye. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Recovery Period:
The recovery period for Silk eye surgery and SMILE Pro is also similar. Most patients can resume their daily activities the next day after their surgery. However, some activities, such as swimming or contact sports, may need to be avoided for a few weeks until the eyes fully heal.
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully is important to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery. These may include using prescribed eye drops, avoiding rubbing or touching the eyes, and attending all post-operative follow-up appointments.
SMILE Pro
Preparation:
This includes numbing the eye with eye drops and placing a lid speculum to keep the eyelids open. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Creating the lenticule:
A femtosecond laser creates a lenticule within the cornea. The lenticule is a small disk of corneal tissue that will be removed. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Making the incision:
A small incision is made in the cornea.
Removing the lenticule:
The surgeon uses a special instrument to remove the lenticule through the incision.
Post-operative care:
The surgeon will apply eye drops to the eye and place a bandage contact lens over the eye. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Recovery Period:
The recovery period for both procedures may vary, but most patients can resume their normal daily activities within a few days after surgery. However, avoiding strenuous physical activities and contact sports for a few weeks is recommended. Patients may also experience mild discomfort and blurry vision during the initial recovery period, which typically resolves within a few days. It is crucial to follow the post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon for a smooth and successful recovery.
As you can see, the main difference in the amount of time each procedure takes is the time it takes to create a flap. Since SMILE Pro is a flapless procedure, it is typically faster than Silk surgery.
It is important to note that the above is just a general overview of the steps involved in each procedure and the time each step takes. The time it takes to complete each procedure may vary depending on the patient and the surgeon’s experience.
If you are considering either Silk surgery or SMILE Pro, it is important to discuss the benefits and risks of each procedure with your eye surgeon. They can help you decide which procedure is right for you and how long you can expect it to take.
