SMILE Pro laser eye surgery costs from £2,200 per eye in the UK in 2026 — typically £2,200–£3,200 per eye, or around £4,500–£6,000 for both eyes treated in the same visit — at Eye Surgery Clinic partner clinics. The price is all-inclusive of your suitability assessment, the procedure on the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 and your standard aftercare. Your exact, fixed price is confirmed after a consultation with corneal scans, because it depends on your prescription and the health of your corneas.
SMILE Pro cost per eye
SMILE Pro (small incision lenticule extraction) is a third-generation flapless procedure: a thin lenticule of tissue is shaped inside the cornea and removed through a 2–3 mm keyhole incision, with no corneal flap. Because the laser step takes only around 10 seconds per eye and both eyes are usually treated together, SMILE Pro is priced per eye, with the majority of patients quoted for the pair.
Always confirm whether a quoted price is per eye or for both eyes, and whether any enhancement (re-treatment) is included should your vision need fine-tuning. SMILE Pro and LASIK usually sit in a similar price bracket — the differences are clinical rather than financial, as SMILE Pro is flapless while LASIK creates a thin corneal flap. Compare techniques and clinic pricing on our private laser eye surgery cost guide and see how clinics stack up on our clinic price comparison. For higher prescriptions or thin corneas, your surgeon may suggest the EVO ICL instead.
Want your exact SMILE Pro price per eye? A consultation with corneal scans confirms your prescription, suitability and a written, fixed quote for one or both eyes.
Book a SMILE Pro consultationSend an enquiry
Tell us what you need and where you are. If a partner clinic covers your area and treatment, it will contact you. No obligation.
What the price includes
SMILE Pro pricing at our partner clinics is all-inclusive — a transparent package covers everything from your first scans to your follow-up reviews:
- Suitability assessment and corneal scans with a consultant ophthalmic surgeon
- The surgeon's fee and theatre time
- The SMILE Pro procedure on the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 laser
- Post-operative eye drops and your routine aftercare reviews
Ask each clinic whether re-treatment (enhancement) cover is included in case your vision needs fine-tuning. If you have private medical insurance, note that laser vision correction is elective — see our guidance for insured patients, and compare a fixed both-eyes package on our fixed-price both eyes page.
What happens during SMILE Pro surgery
SMILE Pro is a quick day-case procedure performed under local anaesthetic eye drops. You stay awake and feel no pain, and both eyes are usually treated in the same visit.
- Numbing drops are placed in the eye and the surface is cleaned and gently held open.
- The ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser shapes a thin lenticule within the cornea in around 10 seconds — no flap is created.
- Your surgeon removes the lenticule through a small 2–3 mm keyhole incision, changing the cornea's focusing power.
- The tiny incision seals itself without stitches, and the second eye is treated the same way.
- You rest briefly and go home the same day, with vision improving over the hours that follow.
Recovery
Recovery from SMILE Pro is typically fast and comfortable. Because the procedure is flapless, many patients find the eyes settle quickly.
Day of surgery
Vision is hazy for a few hours and the eyes may water. Rest at home, begin your drops and arrange for someone to drive you.
Days 1–2
Vision clears noticeably. Mild light sensitivity or a gritty feeling is normal. Your first review confirms the eyes are healing well.
Week 1
Most patients return to work and screens. Avoid swimming, eye rubbing and dusty environments for a short period.
Weeks 2–4
Vision stabilises and drops are tailed off. Your surgeon confirms your final result at your aftercare review.
Finance & insurance
SMILE Pro is an elective refractive procedure, so — like all laser eye surgery — it is generally not covered by private medical insurance. Most patients self-pay:
- Self-pay: from £2,200 per eye; around £4,500–£6,000 for both eyes, all-inclusive.
- Finance: payment terms vary by clinic; ask for them in writing.
- Enhancements: confirm whether any re-treatment cover is included in your package.
See our dedicated finance options page. If astigmatism is part of your prescription, see laser eye surgery for astigmatism costs.