SMILE, SmartSight NOVA, or PRK: A Guide to Comparing Vision Correction Procedures

Have you decided to stop wearing glasses, only to find the procedure names increasingly confusing? You may start researching SMILE because you have heard about its quick recovery, then encounter SmartSight NOVA, low-energy SMILE, and CustomEyes PRK. It can be difficult to know what to compare.

It helps to distinguish the surgical method from the equipment, settings, and personalized treatment planning used within it. Similar names do not necessarily describe the same procedure, and a new name does not mean it is more suitable for everyone. The medical team at EYEREUM Eye Clinic explains how these three procedures differ and what to compare when clinics give you different examination results or recommendations.

How do SMILE, SmartSight NOVA, and PRK differ?

The first distinction is whether tissue is separated and removed from inside the cornea or the cornea is reshaped with a laser after its surface layer is removed.

In SMILE and SmartSight NOVA, a laser creates a lenticule inside the corneal stroma, corresponding to the amount of correction needed. The surgeon removes it through a small opening to correct vision. A lenticule is a thin piece of corneal tissue separated for vision correction. In PRK, the corneal epithelium is removed, and an excimer laser removes tissue from the corneal stroma to achieve the required correction.

This table compares the principles and recovery processes of the three procedures. It does not rank their suitability. Choosing a procedure requires a comprehensive review of nearsightedness, astigmatism, corneal condition, and the amount of correction needed.

Are SMILE, SMILE pro, and SmartSight NOVA all the same procedure?

Their names sound similar, but they are not identical procedures. All three use corneal lenticule extraction: a lenticule is created inside the cornea and removed through a small opening. However, the laser equipment and technologies used to improve precision differ.

SMILE and SMILE pro use a femtosecond laser to create a lenticule inside the cornea, which is then removed through a small opening.

SMILE pro applies an upgraded laser platform, the VISUMAX 800, to the SMILE method. Its faster laser system can create the lenticule in less than 10 seconds, which may reduce the time patients need to keep their eyes steady during laser application.

SmartSight NOVA corrects vision by removing a lenticule from inside the cornea using the ATOS laser. Building on the earlier SmartSight procedure, it incorporates automatic centration correction (CenTrax®) and automatic cyclotorsion compensation, with fine correction in 0.05-diopter increments, aiming for greater precision. Dr. Byunghoon Chung of EYEREUM Eye Clinic presented SmartSight NOVA outcomes at the 2026 KSCRS meeting. The presentation reported improved accuracy in the centration of lenticule formation, while visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and higher-order aberrations at one month after surgery were similar to those of the previous method.

You may also come across the term “low-energy SMILE.” EYEREUM Eye Clinic first introduced low-energy SMILE in Korea in 2016 and has continued research and clinical practice, publishing 16 related SCI-indexed papers. More recently, we have combined this low-energy surgical experience with SMILE pro in “Plasma SMILE,” aiming for further improvements in visual quality. Visual recovery and higher-order aberration outcomes with this approach were also reported in a 2025 SCI-indexed paper.

Does PRK hurt, and how long does recovery take?

Unlike SMILE and SmartSight NOVA, PRK treats the corneal epithelium before an excimer laser reshapes the cornea. The epithelium needs to heal afterward, so pain, a gritty feeling, and light sensitivity may occur early in recovery, and a bandage contact lens is worn.

Pain and recovery time are among the most common concerns about PRK. The degree of pain and the speed of visual recovery vary with each person’s eye condition. Removing the bandage contact lens does not mean visual recovery is complete.

At EYEREUM Eye Clinic, we use our pain-management and recovery-focused PRK protocols to reduce early pain and the burden of recovery, helping patients return to daily activities sooner.

With EYEREUM Eye Clinic’s recovery-focused PRK protocol, basic daily activities such as washing your face, applying face makeup, and light exercise are possible from the day after surgery. Around three days after surgery, we check how the corneal epithelium has healed before removing the bandage contact lens, then continue to monitor visual recovery.

The actual degree of pain, speed of recovery, and timing of lens removal depend on your corneal condition and healing. Regular postoperative visits are important for checking your progress.

Why might people with the same prescription be offered different procedures?

Your glasses prescription is only part of the information needed to choose vision correction surgery. At EYEREUM Eye Clinic, our preoperative safety examination assesses the shape of the front and back of the cornea and its thickness, as well as pupil size in dim light, dry eyes, and higher-order aberrations.

In vision correction surgery, we assess higher-order aberrations alongside nearsightedness and astigmatism. These are subtle optical irregularities that an ordinary glasses prescription cannot easily correct. They are associated with visual quality, including halos and glare at night and reduced clarity. Looking beyond how well you read an eye chart and incorporating these factors into the surgical plan can help us aim for better visual quality.

That is why, even with the same prescription, examination results may lead to different choices among SMILE, SmartSight NOVA, PRK, and other procedures, as well as different detailed surgical plans.

If recovery is quick, can I return to work and use a computer right away?

When planning vision correction surgery, patients often ask how much recovery time they need, whether they can return to work immediately, and when they can fly if they have a trip planned after surgery.

Even if basic computer work is possible after surgery, spending long periods on a monitor or smartphone can make your eyes dry and tired. Dryness can also affect visual recovery. Use lubricating eye drops regularly and take breaks to help keep your eyes from becoming dry.

If you are planning a trip, the timing depends on the procedure. Flying is possible from the day after SMILE, LASIK, or ICL surgery, but it is best to plan flights and travel after attending your first postoperative follow-up visit. After PRK, we recommend planning travel for after the bandage contact lens has been removed.

If you have an overseas trip or a long journey planned, tell us during your preoperative consultation. We can plan your examination, surgery, and follow-up visits together, taking the procedure and your individual recovery into account.

How should I compare different clinics’ recommendations?

Start by comparing the reasons for recommending surgery under the same examination conditions. If one clinic recommends SMILE while another suggests PRK or implantable lens surgery, note both the reasons for recommending a procedure and the reasons for excluding other options, rather than comparing names and prices alone.

Organize each clinic’s explanation side by side using the following three points.

SMILE, SmartSight NOVA, and PRK are not the only forms of vision correction surgery. If correction using the cornea is unsuitable, you may be offered an explanation of implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery. Because this involves placing a lens inside the eye, it requires separate suitability tests and an explanation of its risks. It is not automatically a suitable alternative simply because SMILE is not an option.

When comparing costs, also check which examinations, medications, and follow-up visits are included. Before deciding, make sure you understand the postoperative examination schedule, who will provide your care, and how to contact the clinic if concerning symptoms occur.

Questions to ask at your vision correction consultation

• Based on my examination results, which procedures are possible and which are not recommended? Why?

• How much recovery time should I allow after surgery?

• Could my examination or surgery schedule change if I have not stopped wearing contact lenses for long enough?

• When can I return to computer work, wash my face, wear eye makeup, and exercise?

• When are my postoperative examinations, and how long will I need to attend them?

• Whom should I contact if I have discomfort or other symptoms soon after surgery?

Frequently asked questions

How is SMILE pro different from conventional SMILE?

SMILE pro is a SMILE vision correction procedure performed with the VISUMAX 800. Its surgical principle is the same as conventional SMILE, but laser treatment time is shorter and features such as centration correction are incorporated. At EYEREUM Eye Clinic, we perform Plasma SMILE by applying our low-energy SMILE experience to SMILE pro.

If SMILE is not suitable for me, could I have SmartSight NOVA or PRK?

Being ineligible for SMILE does not mean all other vision correction procedures are ruled out. Depending on why SMILE is unsuitable, other methods, such as PRK or ICL surgery, may be considered. However, if there is a structural problem with the cornea, other corneal vision correction procedures may also be unsuitable. A detailed examination is important for identifying the available procedures and the reasons for each option.

Is recovery complete once the bandage contact lens is removed after PRK?

Removing the bandage contact lens is one step in checking how the corneal epithelium has healed. It does not mean visual recovery is complete. With PRK and all other vision correction procedures, recovery speed and the time it takes for vision to stabilize vary between individuals. During recovery, use lubricating eye drops regularly to manage dryness and pay attention to UV protection, such as wearing sunglasses or a hat outdoors.

Can I have surgery on the day of my examination?

If you are planning same-day vision correction surgery, with the examination and surgery completed in one day, first check how long you need to stop wearing contact lenses. For accurate testing, stop wearing soft contact lenses for at least five days, hard contact lenses for at least seven days, and orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses for at least 30 days before surgery. Same-day surgery is available for laser procedures such as SMILE and PRK, as well as ICL surgery. However, it may not be possible if a lens needs to be prepared separately, as with a toric ICL, or if your examination results require further assessment. On the day of surgery, bring glasses and a hat or sunglasses, avoid perfume and hair spray, and do not drive yourself. Recovery time and follow-up schedules differ by procedure. When booking same-day surgery, tell us about work, travel, and other postoperative commitments so that we can advise on a schedule that accounts for your examination, surgery, and recovery.

Planning your consultation

• Consultation topics: Surgical suitability based on examination results, differences between procedures, and recovery and follow-up plans