SMILE laser eye surgery for Bristol patients costs £2,200 to £3,800 per eye in 2026 — typically £4,400 to £7,000 for both eyes, which is how almost everyone has it done. Our partner network charges a fixed, all-inclusive £2,800 per eye. SMILE sits above LASIK on price because it uses a single femtosecond laser platform and a flapless keyhole technique; the visual result for most prescriptions is comparable, so the premium buys the flapless method rather than sharper vision.
What SMILE costs in Bristol
Bristol patients generally have SMILE quoted either through a national chain with a city-centre clinic or through an independent refractive surgeon. Advertised "from" prices in the region rarely apply to SMILE at all — they are usually the entry-level LASIK or surface-treatment figure. Ask specifically for the SMILE price with your prescription.
| Procedure | Typical UK range (per eye) | Both eyes, typical |
|---|---|---|
| SMILE / SMILE Pro | £2,200–£3,800 | £4,400–£7,000 |
| LASIK | £1,295–£2,500 | £2,600–£5,000 |
| LASEK / PRK / TransPRK | £800–£2,000 | £1,600–£4,000 |
The newer SMILE Pro platform shortens the laser time to around ten seconds per eye and usually sits at the top of the range. Whether that upgrade is worth paying for is a fair question to put to your surgeon.
SMILE is not offered to everyone. Corneal thickness, prescription type and tear film all decide whether it is available to you — and a scan is the only way to know.
Book a suitability assessmentSMILE, LASIK or surface laser — what the extra buys
All three reshape the cornea to correct your prescription. They differ in how the surgeon reaches the tissue, and that difference drives both the price and the recovery.
If you are long-sighted rather than short-sighted, standard SMILE will not be offered — see hyperopic SMILE for long sight. If your prescription is too strong for any laser treatment, an implantable contact lens is the usual alternative. And if you are over 45, read lens replacement versus laser eye surgery before spending anything.
What a genuine SMILE quote should include
The gap between a £2,200 and a £3,800 quote is usually inclusions and platform, not surgical skill. Check each of these in writing.
- Should be included: the full assessment with corneal topography and pachymetry, the surgeon's fee, femtosecond laser time, post-operative drops, and at least 12 months of aftercare.
- Enhancement policy: SMILE cannot be re-treated by simply lifting a flap, so a top-up is usually done as a surface treatment. Confirm whether it is covered and for how long.
- Finance: £5,600 for both eyes over 12 months at 0% is around £467 a month — see our monthly finance guide.
- Insurance: not funded. Laser vision correction is elective, so treat it as a self-pay decision.
Are you suitable for SMILE?
SMILE has a narrower suitability window than LASIK. The usual requirements are:
- Short sight, generally up to around -10.00D, with astigmatism up to about -5.00D.
- Stable prescription for at least 12 months, and age 21 or over.
- Adequate corneal thickness and normal corneal topography — any sign of keratoconus rules laser treatment out entirely.
- No significant dry eye, active infection or uncontrolled glaucoma, and not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Soft contact lenses must be left out for around seven days and rigid lenses for around three weeks before scanning, or the measurements will be wrong. Our suitability check guide explains what is measured and why people are declined. Astigmatism pricing is covered separately in our astigmatism laser cost guide.
What happens on the day
SMILE is an outpatient procedure performed under anaesthetic eye drops. You are awake throughout and both eyes are normally treated in the same visit.
- Measurements are repeated and your treatment plan confirmed.
- Numbing drops are given and a lid speculum holds the eye open.
- A femtosecond laser shapes a thin disc of tissue — the lenticule — inside the intact cornea. This takes seconds and you see the light dim briefly.
- The surgeon makes a 2–4mm keyhole incision and removes the lenticule through it. No flap is created and no stitches are needed.
- Drops are given and you rest briefly. Total clinic time is around 90 minutes for both eyes.
The full clinical description is in our SMILE Pro treatment guide and the wider laser eye surgery overview.
Recovery timeline
SMILE recovery sits between LASIK and surface treatments — quick, but not quite as immediate as LASIK.
First 4–6 hours
Watering, light sensitivity and a gritty feeling. Rest in a darkened room and do not rub your eyes.
Day 1
Vision is usually functional and many patients meet the driving standard at the next-day review, though it can be slightly hazier than after LASIK.
Week 1
Back to work and screens. No swimming, contact sport or eye makeup. Lubricating drops as needed.
Weeks 2–6
Vision sharpens steadily. Night-time halos and dryness fade. Normal exercise resumes.
Months 3–12
Result fully stabilises. Aftercare reviews confirm the outcome and assess whether any enhancement is worthwhile.