SMILE, SMILE Pro, SmartSight Nova or PRK: How Do You Choose?

If you have decided to move on from glasses, the number of procedure names can be confusing. You may start by reading about SMILE and then encounter SMILE Pro, SmartSight Nova, low-energy SMILE, and custom PRK. What are you actually comparing?

It helps to separate the surgical method from the laser platform, settings, and personalized planning used within that method. Similar names do not always describe the same procedure, and a newer name does not mean a better choice for every eye. Here is how we explain the differences and the questions we suggest asking when clinics recommend different options.

How do SMILE, SmartSight Nova, and PRK differ?

The main difference is whether we remove a thin piece of tissue from inside the cornea or reshape the cornea after treating its surface.

In SMILE and SmartSight Nova, a laser creates a thin disc of corneal tissue called a lenticule. The surgeon removes it through a small opening to change the cornea’s focusing power. With PRK, the surface layer, or epithelium, is removed first; an excimer laser then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue.

SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS excimer laser for EYEREUM's CustomEyes personalized PRK procedure.

This table describes the methods and typical recovery guidance; it does not rank the operations. We still need to review your prescription, corneal findings, and required correction before advising you. Your own postoperative instructions take priority over any general timetable.

Are SMILE, SMILE Pro, and SmartSight Nova all the same operation?

They share a principle, but they are not identical. All three create and remove a corneal lenticule through a small opening. The equipment and features used to plan and center the treatment differ.

SMILE and SMILE Pro use a femtosecond laser to create the lenticule. With SMILE Pro, the VISUMAX 800 can form the lenticule in around eight seconds. That shorter laser exposure may reduce the time you need to hold your eye steady during this part of the procedure.

SmartSight Nova, sometimes marketed in Korea as “new SMILE,” uses the ATOS laser. Its CenTrax feature is designed to help correct decentration, and cyclotorsion compensation helps account for rotation of the eye. The platform allows treatment planning in 0.05-diopter increments. These features aim for more precise treatment planning; they do not guarantee a better result for every patient. EYEREUM’s Dr. Byunghoon Chung presented SmartSight Nova findings at the 2026 KSCRS meeting. In a clinical study presented by Dr. Byunghoon Chung at KSCRS 2026, SmartSight Nova demonstrated improved lenticule centration accuracy compared with conventional SmartSight, while visual and refractive outcomes at one month were comparable between the two approaches.

You may also hear us mention low-energy SMILE. This refers to how laser energy is set, not a separate lenticule-removal platform. EYEREUM introduced low-energy SMILE in Korea in 2016 and has since reported 16 related SCI-indexed papers. At EYEREUM, our research into low-energy SMILE has also been applied to SMILE Pro through our Plasma SMILE approach, which focuses on optimizing laser energy delivery and corneal lenticule creation. A 2025 clinical paper reported findings on this approach; its results should be read in the context of the patients and follow-up studied, rather than as a promise of an individual outcome.

Does PRK hurt, and how long does recovery take?

PRK removes the surface epithelium before an excimer laser reshapes the tissue beneath it. Unlike lenticule-removal procedures, it requires the surface layer to heal. You may have pain, a gritty feeling, or sensitivity to light early on, and a bandage contact lens is usually placed over the eye.

Pain and the pace of visual recovery vary. Removing the bandage lens does not mean your vision has finished stabilizing. We use our pain-management protocol and 2DAY PRK approach to reduce early discomfort and help suitable patients resume daily activities sooner.

EYEREUM's 2DAY PRK protocol is designed to support corneal epithelial healing in as little as two days while helping reduce early postoperative discomfort. Patients may experience blurred vision and discomfort during the first 2–3 days, and visual recovery is generally slower than with SMILE. However, PRK may be a more suitable option for certain corneal conditions, with the potential to achieve comparable long-term visual outcomes in appropriately selected patients. We usually check how the surface has healed at around three days before removing the bandage lens, then continue to monitor your vision. The actual timing of discomfort, healing, and lens removal depends on your eye. Please attend the scheduled follow-up visits.

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

Your glasses prescription is only part of the picture. During our preoperative eye examination, we look at the front and back of the cornea and its thickness, pupil size in dim light, dry-eye findings, and higher-order aberrations.

Higher-order aberrations are subtle optical irregularities that an ordinary glasses prescription does not fully describe. They can affect clarity, glare, and halos, particularly at night. We consider them alongside nearsightedness and astigmatism when planning treatment; a strong chart result alone does not capture every aspect of how you see.

That is why the most suitable procedure and its detailed plan may differ even when two people have the same prescription. We will explain which of your findings matter most and whether any finding means surgery should be delayed or avoided.

Can I return to work and use a computer soon after surgery?

Many patients also ask how long to take off work and whether they can travel by air soon after surgery. The answer depends on the procedure and how your eye recovers.

Even when basic computer work is possible, long stretches on a screen may make your eyes feel dry or tired. Dryness can affect visual recovery. Use lubricating drops as instructed and take regular breaks; tell us if symptoms are persistent or worsening.

International patients should plan their stay in Korea according to the procedure and required postoperative follow-up. At EYEREUM, we generally recommend staying for at least 3 days and 2 nights after SMILE or LASIK surgery. For ICL or PRK surgery, a longer stay of approximately one week or more may be recommended, depending on individual recovery. The final travel schedule should be confirmed with the surgeon based on postoperative healing and follow-up requirements.

What if different clinics recommend different procedures?

Compare the reasons behind each recommendation under similar examination conditions. If one clinic suggests SMILE while another suggests PRK or ICL surgery, write down both the reason for recommending one option and the reason for ruling out another. Prices and names alone will not explain the difference.

SMILE, SmartSight Nova, and PRK are not the only forms of vision correction. If a corneal procedure is unsuitable, an implantable collamer lens (ICL) may be worth discussing. An ICL sits inside the eye, so it has different suitability tests and risks. Being ineligible for SMILE does not automatically make ICL surgery suitable.

Ask what the cost includes—examinations, medicines, and follow-up—as well as who will see you after surgery and how to reach the clinic if a concerning symptom appears. Make sure you understand the whole care plan before deciding.

Questions to ask at your vision correction consultation

• Based on my test results, which procedures could I have, which do you advise against, and why?
• How much recovery time should I allow?
• If I have not stopped wearing contact lenses for long enough, could my examination or surgery date change?
• When can I return to computer work, wash my face, wear eye makeup, and exercise?
• When are my follow-up visits, and how long will I need them?
• Whom should I contact if I have discomfort or another concern soon after surgery?