Ocular Evidence
Study-specific comparison

Compare reviewed observations side by side

Each result remains attached to its own study, device, denominator, follow-up, and publication. No averages or head-to-head claims are created.

Corneal lenticule

SMILE

31 matching study follow-ups

Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction with Prophylactic Cross-Linking: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2026)

1 monthDevice not reported730 eyes
Uncorrected distance vision mean difference
-0.04 logMAR
Safety index mean difference
0.07 score
Efficacy index mean difference
0.08 score
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Comparison of Persistent Postoperative Discomfort 1 Year after Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction and Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation (2025)

1 yearCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser227 eyes
Postoperative night glare
50.2% denominator: 227 patients
Postoperative halos
48.9% denominator: 227 patients
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Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction for Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism With the VISUMAX 800 (2025)

6 monthsCarl Zeiss Meditec · VISUMAX 800473 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
93.2% denominator: 473 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
95.1% denominator: 473 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
99.6% denominator: 473 eyes
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 473 eyes
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Visual outcomes for the initial 500 eyes treated with keratorefractive lenticule extraction for myopia and myopic astigmatism at a single site (2025)

12 monthsDevice not reported440 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
81% denominator: 440 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
85% denominator: 440 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
97% denominator: 440 eyes
Mean postoperative spherical equivalent
0.04 D
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 440 eyes
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Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

3 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.07 D denominator: 416 eyes
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Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

6 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.18 D denominator: 416 eyes
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Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

9 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.23 D denominator: 416 eyes
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Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

12 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.21 D denominator: 416 eyes
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Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

18 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.24 D denominator: 416 eyes
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Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) refractive surgery: Our initial experience (2022)

1 dayDevice not reported202 eyes
Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity
0.038 logMAR denominator: 202 eyes
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Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) refractive surgery: Our initial experience (2022)

1 weekDevice not reported202 eyes
Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity
0.015 logMAR denominator: 202 eyes
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Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) refractive surgery: Our initial experience (2022)

1 monthDevice not reported202 eyes
Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity
0.006 logMAR denominator: 202 eyes
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Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) refractive surgery: Our initial experience (2022)

3 monthsDevice not reported202 eyes
Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity
0.03 logMAR denominator: 202 eyes
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Two-Year Visual Outcomes of Evolution Implantable Collamer Lens and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for the Correction of Low Myopia (2022)

2 yearsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser36 eyes
Uncorrected acuity at least as good as preoperative corrected acuity
88.89% denominator: 36 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
94.44% denominator: 36 eyes
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 36 eyes
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Incidence of Ectasia After SMILE From a High-Volume Refractive Surgery Center in India (2021)

At least 12 monthsDevice not reported6619 eyes
Post-LASIK corneal ectasia
0.15% denominator: 6619 eyes
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Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Femtosecond LASIK and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction (2020)

3 monthsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser70 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
84% denominator: 70 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
99% denominator: 70 eyes
Efficacy index
0.97 score
Safety index
1.1 score
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Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Femtosecond LASIK and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction (2020)

12 monthsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser70 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
85% denominator: 70 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
99% denominator: 70 eyes
Safety index
1.15 score
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Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for Hyperopia: 12-Month Refractive and Visual Outcomes (2019)

12 monthsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser72 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
53% denominator: 37 eyes
Mean postoperative spherical equivalent
-0.19 D
Loss of 1 line of corrected visual acuity
16% denominator: 72 eyes
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 72 eyes
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Visual outcomes 5 years after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), surgery on spherocylindrical myopia eyes, from 616 eyes (2018)

5 yearsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser616 eyes
Uncorrected distance vision 20/25 or better
88%
MRSE within ±0.50 D
92%
Lost no lines of CDVA
77%
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FDA pivotal clinical study of SMILE with the VisuMax Femtosecond Laser (2016)

6 monthsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser328 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
87.5% denominator: 328 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
93% denominator: 328 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
98.5% denominator: 328 eyes
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 329 eyes
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FDA pivotal clinical study of SMILE with the VisuMax Femtosecond Laser (2016)

12 monthsCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. · VisuMax Femtosecond Laser310 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
88.1% denominator: 310 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
93.9% denominator: 310 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
98.7% denominator: 310 eyes
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 311 eyes
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Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

1 monthDevice not reported47 eyes
Tear breakup time
6.28 seconds denominator: 47 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
0.77 score denominator: 47 patients
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Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

3 monthsDevice not reported47 eyes
Tear breakup time
8.21 seconds denominator: 47 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
0.34 score denominator: 47 patients
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Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

6 monthsDevice not reported47 eyes
Tear breakup time
9.57 seconds denominator: 47 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
0.13 score denominator: 47 patients
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Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

12 monthsDevice not reported47 eyes
Tear breakup time
9.83 seconds denominator: 47 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
0.04 score denominator: 47 patients
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Comparison of visual and refractive outcomes following femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK with SMILE in patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism (2014)

1 dayDevice not reported50 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
96% denominator: 50 eyes
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Comparison of visual and refractive outcomes following femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK with SMILE in patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism (2014)

3 monthsDevice not reported50 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
84% denominator: 50 eyes
Read the publication

Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

1 weekDevice not reported37 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
23.95 score denominator: 37 patients
Tear breakup time
4.32 seconds denominator: 37 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
13.51 mm denominator: 37 patients
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Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

1 monthDevice not reported37 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
16.72 score denominator: 37 patients
Tear breakup time
5.68 seconds denominator: 37 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
12.11 mm denominator: 37 patients
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Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

3 monthsDevice not reported36 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
12.05 score denominator: 36 patients
Tear breakup time
5.03 seconds denominator: 36 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
14.14 mm denominator: 36 patients
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Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

6 monthsDevice not reported36 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
8.47 score denominator: 36 patients
Tear breakup time
7.06 seconds denominator: 36 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
13.28 mm denominator: 36 patients
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Corneal laser

LASIK

29 matching study follow-ups

Incidence, severity, and predictors of early postoperative dry eye disease following femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK): a short-term, single-center retrospective analysis (2026)

1 weekDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Dry eye symptoms (OSDI ≥13)
25% denominator: 3000 patients
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Incidence, severity, and predictors of early postoperative dry eye disease following femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK): a short-term, single-center retrospective analysis (2026)

1 monthDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Dry eye symptoms (OSDI ≥13)
38% denominator: 3000 patients
Read the publication

Incidence, severity, and predictors of early postoperative dry eye disease following femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK): a short-term, single-center retrospective analysis (2026)

3 monthsDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Dry eye symptoms (OSDI ≥13)
15% denominator: 3000 patients
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FDA pivotal clinical study of INNOVEYES LASIK with WaveLight EX500 (2025)

3 monthsAlcon Laboratories, Inc. · WaveLight EX500 with INNOVEYES Sightmap326 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
92.3% denominator: 326 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
92% denominator: 326 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
98.5% denominator: 326 eyes
Lost at least 2 lines of CDVA
0% denominator: 330 eyes
Read the publication

FDA pivotal clinical study of INNOVEYES LASIK with WaveLight EX500 (2025)

6 monthsAlcon Laboratories, Inc. · WaveLight EX500 with INNOVEYES Sightmap330 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
91.5% denominator: 330 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
90.9% denominator: 330 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
98.2% denominator: 330 eyes
Read the publication

FDA pivotal clinical study of INNOVEYES LASIK with WaveLight EX500 (2025)

12 monthsAlcon Laboratories, Inc. · WaveLight EX500 with INNOVEYES Sightmap322 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
94.4% denominator: 322 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
94.4% denominator: 322 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
99.7% denominator: 322 eyes
Read the publication

Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

3 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.17 D denominator: 416 eyes
Read the publication

Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

6 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.24 D denominator: 416 eyes
Read the publication

Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

9 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.31 D denominator: 416 eyes
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Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

12 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.32 D denominator: 416 eyes
Read the publication

Myopic Regression After FS-LASIK and SMILE (2024)

18 monthsDevice not reported416 eyes
Spherical-equivalent regression from month 1
-0.33 D denominator: 416 eyes
Read the publication

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Femtosecond LASIK and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction (2020)

3 monthsAlcon Laboratories, Inc. · WaveLight EX50070 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
87% denominator: 70 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
97% denominator: 70 eyes
Efficacy index
0.99 score
Safety index
1.1 score
Read the publication

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Femtosecond LASIK and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction (2020)

12 monthsAlcon Laboratories, Inc. · WaveLight EX50070 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
83% denominator: 70 eyes
Refraction within ±1.00 D
99% denominator: 70 eyes
Safety index
1.15 score
Read the publication

Incidence and Clinical Characteristics of Post LASIK Ectasia: A Review of over 30,000 LASIK Cases (2018)

2–8 yearsDevice not reported30167 eyes
Post-LASIK corneal ectasia
0.03% denominator: 30167 eyes
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Symptoms and Satisfaction of Patients in the Patient-Reported Outcomes With Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (PROWL) Studies (2017)

3 monthsDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Normal OSDI score
66%
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Symptoms and Satisfaction of Patients in the Patient-Reported Outcomes With Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (PROWL) Studies (2017)

6 monthsDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Normal OSDI score
73%
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Symptoms and Satisfaction of Patients in the Patient-Reported Outcomes With Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (PROWL) Studies (2017)

3 monthsDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Normal OSDI score
65%
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Chronic dry eye in photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis: Manifestations, incidence, and predictive factors (2015)

12 monthsDevice not reportedUnknown eyes
Chronic dry-eye incidence
0.8%
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Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

1 monthDevice not reported43 eyes
Tear breakup time
6.53 seconds denominator: 43 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
1.56 score denominator: 43 patients
Read the publication

Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

3 monthsDevice not reported43 eyes
Tear breakup time
7.42 seconds denominator: 43 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
1.21 score denominator: 43 patients
Read the publication

Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

6 monthsDevice not reported43 eyes
Tear breakup time
8.19 seconds denominator: 43 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
0.49 score denominator: 43 patients
Read the publication

Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia (2015)

12 monthsDevice not reported43 eyes
Tear breakup time
9.3 seconds denominator: 43 patients
Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire dry-eye score
0.14 score denominator: 43 patients
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Single-Step Transepithelial ASLA (SCHWIND) With Mitomycin-C for the Correction of High Myopia: Long-Term Follow-Up (2015)

12 monthsSCHWIND eye-tech-solutions · AMARIS31 eyes
MRSE within ±0.50 D
83.9% denominator: 31 eyes
Mean postoperative spherical equivalent
-0.08 D denominator: 31 eyes
Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity
0.05 logMAR denominator: 31 eyes
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Comparison of visual and refractive outcomes following femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK with SMILE in patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism (2014)

1 dayDevice not reported50 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
92% denominator: 50 eyes
Read the publication

Comparison of visual and refractive outcomes following femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK with SMILE in patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism (2014)

3 monthsDevice not reported50 eyes
UDVA 20/20 or better
84% denominator: 50 eyes
Read the publication

Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

1 weekDevice not reported32 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
18.78 score denominator: 32 patients
Tear breakup time
4.7 seconds denominator: 32 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
10 mm denominator: 32 patients
Read the publication

Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

1 monthDevice not reported31 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
17.77 score denominator: 31 patients
Tear breakup time
3.77 seconds denominator: 31 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
10.9 mm denominator: 31 patients
Read the publication

Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

3 monthsDevice not reported30 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
16.22 score denominator: 30 patients
Tear breakup time
4.43 seconds denominator: 30 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
13.73 mm denominator: 30 patients
Read the publication

Comparison of dry eye and corneal sensitivity between small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond LASIK for myopia (2013)

6 monthsDevice not reported30 eyes
Ocular Surface Disease Index
15.5 score denominator: 30 patients
Tear breakup time
4.97 seconds denominator: 30 patients
Schirmer I test without anesthesia
13.17 mm denominator: 30 patients
Read the publication