SmartSight is a flapless, keyhole laser eye surgery performed on the SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser. Instead of cutting a hinged flap as in LASIK, the laser sculpts a thin refractive lenticule inside the cornea, which the surgeon removes through a 2–3mm incision — correcting myopia up to around −10D and astigmatism up to around −5D while preserving the cornea’s strength.
What is SmartSight?
SmartSight is a small-incision lenticule extraction procedure: the same keyhole principle as ZEISS SMILE, but performed on the SCHWIND ATOS platform with its own engineering features such as cyclotorsion compensation and a low-energy laser profile designed for a smooth lenticule and comfortable recovery. Because no flap is created, the strong outer corneal layers and most of the surface corneal nerves are left almost entirely intact — which removes flap-related complications and tends to mean milder dry eye than LASIK.
It is a private, self-pay treatment carried out by consultant ophthalmologists with a cornea and refractive subspecialty interest at our South England partner clinics, with UK-wide guidance through your assessment. SmartSight corrects distance vision; it does not treat long-sightedness on its own and does not stop the age-related need for reading glasses (presbyopia).
SmartSight vs other laser options
How SmartSight is performed
Treatment is an outpatient procedure under anaesthetic drops — no injection, no general anaesthetic. A soft, low-pressure interface gently steadies the eye under the SCHWIND ATOS laser. In a single silent step lasting only seconds, the laser shapes a precise lenticule inside the cornea and creates a small 2–3mm keyhole incision; cyclotorsion compensation aligns the treatment to the correct astigmatic axis. The surgeon then separates and removes the lenticule through the keyhole, changing the corneal curvature to neutralise your prescription. Both eyes are usually treated in the same session, and you go home the same day with lubricating drops and protective shields.
Not sure whether SmartSight, SMILE Pro or LASIK suits your eyes? A full corneal scan settles it.
Book your suitability assessmentRecovery timeline
First few hours
Once the drops wear off the eye feels gritty, watery and light-sensitive, rather like having something in it. Rest with your eyes closed and use your lubricating drops; vision is hazy at first.
Day 1–3
Vision clears noticeably and most people return to desk work. A day-one review confirms healing. Avoid rubbing the eyes and eye make-up.
Week 1–2
Driving is usually fine once you comfortably meet the legal vision standard. Avoid swimming, saunas, dusty environments and strenuous contact sport for about two weeks.
Weeks ahead
Vision continues to sharpen to final stability over a few weeks, supported by your aftercare reviews and lubricating drops as needed.
How much does SmartSight cost?
UK 2026 self-pay SmartSight is typically £2,300–£3,000 per eye, or around £4,600–£6,000 for both eyes as an all-inclusive package bundling surgery, medications and 12 months of aftercare. The suitability assessment is £200–£400 and is often redeemed against surgery if you proceed. The exact price depends on the strength of your prescription and whether you have astigmatism. Most clinics offer interest-free or low-rate finance from roughly £100–£250 a month. Always ask for one written all-in figure for both eyes that states exactly what aftercare and enhancement cover is included. See our full price list for comparison.
SmartSight FAQs
How much does SmartSight laser eye surgery cost in the UK in 2026?
UK 2026 self-pay SmartSight is typically £2,300–£3,000 per eye, or around £4,600–£6,000 for both eyes as an all-inclusive package that usually bundles the surgery, medications and 12 months of aftercare. The suitability assessment is £200–£400 and is often redeemed against the cost of surgery if you proceed. The exact price depends on the strength of your prescription and whether you have astigmatism. Most clinics offer interest-free or low-rate finance from roughly £100–£250 a month. Always ask for one written all-in figure for both eyes that states exactly what aftercare and enhancement cover is included.
What is the difference between SmartSight and SMILE?
Both are flapless, keyhole small-incision lenticule extraction procedures that work on exactly the same principle: the femtosecond laser sculpts a lenticule inside the cornea, which is removed through a tiny incision. The main difference is the equipment. SMILE and SMILE Pro run on the ZEISS VisuMax laser, while SmartSight runs on the SCHWIND ATOS laser. SMILE is the longest-established and most studied platform; SmartSight is a newer system with its own engineering features such as cyclotorsion compensation and a low-energy laser profile intended for a smooth lenticule and comfortable recovery. For the patient the experience and results are broadly comparable, and the most important factor is the surgeon’s experience and the quality of your assessment, not which branded laser is used.
Is SmartSight better than LASIK?
Neither is universally better; they suit different eyes. SmartSight is flapless, with only a 2–3mm incision rather than a near-circular LASIK flap, which removes flap-related complications, better preserves the cornea’s biomechanical strength, and disturbs the surface corneal nerves less so dry eye tends to be milder. LASIK’s advantages are an even faster initial visual recovery and the ability to treat long-sightedness as well as short-sightedness, which lenticule extraction currently does not. The right choice depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, tear film and lifestyle, and is decided at your assessment. For an active person worried about a flap, SmartSight is often attractive; for someone who is long-sighted, LASIK or a lens-based option may be more appropriate.
What prescriptions can SmartSight treat?
SmartSight treats short-sightedness (myopia) and short-sighted astigmatism. Typical treatment ranges are myopia up to around −10 dioptres and astigmatism up to around −5 dioptres, although the exact limits for your eyes depend on your corneal thickness and shape, measured at assessment. It does not currently treat long-sightedness (hyperopia) on its own, and it does not correct the age-related need for reading glasses (presbyopia). If you are long-sighted, or over about 45 and want freedom from reading glasses, your surgeon will discuss alternatives such as LASIK, Presbyond laser blended vision or lens-based surgery.
How long is the recovery, and when can I drive and work?
Vision is hazy for the first few hours and then clears noticeably within the first day or two, continuing to sharpen over the following days to weeks. Most people return to desk work within one to three days. You can drive again once you comfortably meet the legal vision standard and feel confident, which is often within a few days but is confirmed at your early review. For the first week or two you should avoid eye make-up, rubbing the eyes, swimming, saunas and dusty environments, and you should avoid strenuous contact sport for about two weeks. Your clinic will give you a personalised timeline at your aftercare visits, and final visual stability is usually reached within a few weeks.
Is laser eye surgery available on the NHS?
No. Laser eye surgery to correct ordinary short-sightedness and astigmatism is considered an elective, lifestyle procedure and is not routinely funded by the NHS, so SmartSight is a private, self-pay treatment. The NHS only rarely funds refractive surgery, and then for specific clinical reasons such as a severe difference in prescription between the two eyes with contact-lens intolerance, decided individually. For most people the practical financial route is the clinic’s interest-free or low-rate finance rather than the NHS or private medical insurance, which generally excludes elective laser vision correction.