In short: SMILE Pro (small-incision lenticule extraction) on the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 corrects short-sightedness and astigmatism without cutting a corneal flap. The laser shapes a thin disc of tissue (a lenticule) entirely inside your intact cornea in about 10 seconds, and the surgeon removes it through a keyhole 2–3 mm incision. The result is a flapless, biomechanically stronger cornea with less post-operative dry eye than LASIK. Private UK cost in 2026 is typically £2,200–£3,200 per eye, or £4,500–£6,000 for both eyes all-inclusive.
What SMILE Pro is and who it suits
Traditional LASIK creates a hinged flap in the surface of the cornea, lifts it, reshapes the tissue beneath with an excimer laser, then lays the flap back down. SMILE Pro skips the flap entirely. A single femtosecond laser sculpts a precise lenticule within the intact cornea, which is then drawn out through a tiny side incision — so the corneal surface stays almost entirely undisturbed. Because no flap is ever created, there is no lifelong risk of flap dislocation, the cornea retains more of its natural strength, and fewer surface nerves are cut, which means less dry eye.
That profile makes SMILE Pro especially well suited to active people, contact-sport athletes and anyone in a dusty or hands-on job, as well as patients with a tendency to dry eye or those who simply want the most tissue-sparing option. Under its current CE-marked indication it treats short-sightedness from −0.50 to −10.00 D and astigmatism up to −5.00 D in adults aged 21+ with a stable prescription.
It is not for everyone. SMILE Pro does not currently treat long-sightedness (hyperopia) or presbyopia, and it cannot be done where the cornea is too thin or shows any sign of keratoconus. Those patients are usually offered LASIK, PRESBYOND blended vision or an implantable contact lens (ICL). Your consultant confirms suitability with corneal scans.
Your laser & lens options
SMILE Pro leads for flapless myopia and astigmatism correction. Here is how it compares with the main alternatives your consultant may discuss.
Not sure whether SMILE Pro, LASIK or an implantable lens is right for your prescription and cornea? A consultant assessment with corneal scans gives you a clear, personalised answer.
Book your assessmentHow SMILE Pro is done
SMILE Pro is a quick outpatient procedure under anaesthetic eye drops only — no needles, no general anaesthetic and no overnight stay. You will be in the clinic for around 2–3 hours on the day, but the laser itself takes only minutes.
You lie back under the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 and a soft curved contact glass gently docks onto your eye. The system’s CentraLign and OcuLign software lock onto your visual axis and correct for any eye rotation. The femtosecond laser then fires at low energy for about 10 seconds, creating a precise lenticule of tissue within your cornea plus a small 2–3 mm side incision. The surgeon gently separates and removes the lenticule through that opening — reshaping your cornea with no flap created or repositioned. The eye is rinsed, and you move to recovery. Total laser-room time for both eyes is usually 8–15 minutes.
Recovery and what to expect
First 24–48 hours
Eyes are commonly gritty and watery for a few hours, then settle to mild dryness. Rest with eyes closed; use the drops provided.
Day 1
Most people meet the DVLA driving standard at the day-1 review and drive home. Vision is already functional and sharpens daily.
Weeks 1–3
Back to the gym from day 2–3, non-contact sport from week 1, swimming and contact sport from week 2–3. Night halos ease over 2–6 weeks.
3 months
The cornea has fully stabilised and your correction is permanent. Long-term SMILE data show stability to 5–10 years.
How much SMILE Pro costs
In 2026 SMILE Pro in the UK typically costs £2,200–£3,200 per eye, with most CQC-registered refractive centres bundling both eyes for an all-inclusive £4,500–£6,000. The package usually covers your consultation and full work-up, the procedure on both eyes, all routine follow-ups for 3–12 months and a 12–24 month enhancement window. FCA-regulated 0% finance is widely available, equating to roughly £180–£250 per month over 24 months.
The NHS does not fund elective laser vision correction, and the major UK insurers generally do not cover it either, so SMILE Pro is a private fee. Compare your options on the laser eye surgery hub or see the full price list.
SMILE Pro FAQs
How much does SMILE Pro cost in the UK in 2026?
SMILE Pro typically costs £2,200–£3,200 per eye, with most CQC-registered private refractive centres bundling both eyes for an all-inclusive £4,500–£6,000. The package usually includes the consultation and full work-up, the procedure on both eyes, all routine follow-ups for 3–12 months and a 12–24 month enhancement window. FCA-regulated 0% finance is widely available, equating to roughly £180–£250 per month over 24 months.
Is SMILE Pro better than LASIK?
Neither is universally better — both are gold-standard procedures. SMILE Pro is flapless, with a small 2–3 mm incision, slightly less dry eye and a biomechanically stronger cornea, which suits active patients, contact-sport athletes and anyone concerned about long-term flap stability. LASIK has a marginally faster final-clarity timeline and can treat long-sightedness and presbyopia (via PRESBYOND), which SMILE Pro cannot. The right answer depends on your prescription, ocular surface, lifestyle and surgeon assessment.
What prescription can SMILE Pro treat, and am I suitable?
Under the current expanded CE-marked indication, SMILE Pro on the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 treats short-sightedness from −0.50 D to −10.00 D and astigmatism up to −5.00 D in adults aged 21+ with a prescription stable for at least 12 months and a healthy, adequately thick cornea. It does not currently treat long-sightedness or presbyopia, and is unsuitable in keratoconus or thin corneas — those patients are usually offered LASIK, PRESBYOND, ICL or refractive lens exchange.
When can I drive and return to sport after SMILE Pro?
Most patients meet the UK DVLA driving-vision standard at the day-1 review and drive home from that appointment (always confirm with your surgeon first). Light cardio and weights resume from day 2–3, non-contact sport from week 1, swimming from week 2 with goggles, and contact sport from week 2–3. Because SMILE Pro is flapless there is no lifelong flap-dislocation risk, unlike LASIK.
Will I get dry eye after SMILE Pro?
Mild transient dryness in the first 4–12 weeks is common after any laser refractive procedure. The published evidence consistently shows SMILE / SMILE Pro causes less and shorter post-operative dry eye than LASIK, because the small incision disrupts fewer corneal nerves. Lubricant drops are used for 4–12 weeks, and any pre-existing dry eye is treated before surgery.
Is SMILE Pro available on the NHS or covered by insurance?
No. The NHS does not commission elective refractive surgery (LASIK, SMILE, SMILE Pro, PRESBYOND, RLE or ICL) to correct refractive error, and in 2026 the major UK private medical insurers (Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA) generally do not cover it either. Most patients self-pay or use FCA-regulated 0% finance; some cash plans may make a small contribution.