No LASIK flap
SMILE Pro removes a corneal lenticule through a small incision rather than lifting a conventional LASIK flap.
SMILE Pro Laser Eye Surgery in Beverly Hills
Clear vision. No LASIK flap. Less time under the laser.
SMILE Pro uses the next-generation ZEISS VISUMAX 800 platform to correct eligible nearsightedness and astigmatism through a small incision. Dr. Rajesh Khanna evaluates the whole eye—and your real life—before recommending it.
Under 10 sec.*
Board-certifiedOphthalmologist
Fellowship-trainedCorneal & refractive surgeon
25,000+Vision procedures
Beverly Hills9100 Wilshire Blvd #265E
Built for real life—not just the exam room
Your life is mobile. Your vision correction should fit it.
Glasses fog at the gym. Contacts can dry out after long screen days, late nights, or hours outdoors. For eligible adults, SMILE Pro offers a flapless way to reduce dependence on both.
Fast laser delivery
ZEISS reports lenticule creation in less than 10 seconds for myopia under specified treatment conditions.
Active-lifestyle appeal
A flapless approach may be attractive for active people. Recovery restrictions still apply, especially for water and contact sports, but are significantly reduced compared to LASIK.
Personalized—not trend-driven
SMILE Pro is one option. Corneal shape, prescription, age, dry eye, and goals decide whether it is your option.
The honest version
The laser step can be extremely fast. The total procedure—including preparation, examination, treatment, and time at the center from start to finish—takes longer. “Fast” does not mean rushed.
The comparison people actually needSMILE vs. SMILE Pro
SMILE vs. SMILE Pro
Same core surgery. Newer laser platform.
Regular SMILE and SMILE Pro are both small-incision lenticule extraction procedures. In each, a femtosecond laser creates a thin lenticule inside the cornea, and the surgeon removes it through a small opening. The “Pro” refers mainly to the newer VISUMAX 800 platform and its digitally assisted workflow.
| Feature | SMILE | SMILE Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Core method | Small-incision lenticule extraction | Small-incision lenticule extraction |
| LASIK flap | No conventional flap | No conventional flap |
| Laser platform | Earlier-generation ZEISS VisuMax | Next-generation ZEISS VISUMAX 800 platform |
| Laser delivery | Prior-generation treatment speed (~25s) | Lenticule creation in less than 10 seconds for myopia under ZEISS-specified conditions* |
| Alignment support | Earlier workflow and surgeon-guided alignment | CentraLign centration aid and OcuLign cyclotorsion adjustment |
| Digital workflow | Earlier data and planning workflow | Updated data workflow, including VISULYZE user nomograms |
| Patient experience | Flapless, small-incision treatment | Same flapless method with a potentially shorter laser/docking experience |
| What still matters | Diagnosis, candidacy, planning, surgeon technique, healing | Exactly the same—and no less important |
* ZEISS data on file for myopia with a 6.5 mm optical zone. Individual settings vary.
Bottom line
SMILE Pro is not a different category of eye surgery. It is the next-generation platform for performing SMILE. A newer laser can streamline the experience; it cannot make the wrong candidate right or guarantee a better result—nor can it turn a no into a yes.
The laser matters. The full system matters more.
Excellent refractive surgery is a chain. Every link has to hold: accurate diagnostics, careful candidate selection, a sound surgical plan, appropriate technology, precise technique, and disciplined aftercare.
Diagnosis+
Candidate selection+
Surgical plan+
Technology+
Aftercare
What the procedure is actually likeThe SMILE Pro process
The SMILE Pro process
Four clear steps. No anatomy textbook required.
The details are sophisticated. The patient journey is straightforward. Your exact treatment plan and recovery instructions are individualized by Dr. Khanna.
1
Map + qualify
Corneal scans and eye-health testing.
2
Numb + position
Drops numb the eye; the laser docks.
3
Create + remove
Lenticule is made, then removed.
4
Recover
Drops, rest, and scheduled follow-up.
1
Map and qualify
Detailed refraction, corneal topography or tomography, thickness measurements, ocular-surface testing, and an eye-health examination determine whether SMILE Pro is appropriate.
2
Numb and position
Anesthetic drops numb the eye. A contact interface stabilizes it under the laser. You remain awake and may notice pressure or a temporary change in what you see.
3
Create and remove
The femtosecond laser creates the lenticule and access opening. Dr. Khanna separates and removes the lenticule through that small opening, reshaping the cornea.
4
Protect and recover
Your eye is checked, drops and restrictions are reviewed, and someone drives you home. Follow-up is part of the procedure—not an optional add-on.
Seconds, minutes, and the part people confuse
Laser creation
ZEISS reports less than 10 seconds to create the lenticule for myopia under specified conditions.
Surgical procedure
The laser and lenticule-removal steps take minutes, not hours. Individual treatment time varies.
Total appointment
Preparation, verification, surgery, post-operative checks, and instructions mean your visit is much longer than the laser time.
What you may feel
Pressure, suction, dimming or unusual visual sensations can occur. Numbing drops are used; significant pain is not generally expected during treatment.
Same-day reality check
Arrange a driver. Do not drive immediately after treatment. Resume driving only when Dr. Khanna confirms your vision is adequate and you meet legal requirements.
Why Khanna Vision InstituteDr. Rajesh Khanna, MD | Beverly Hills
Dr. Rajesh Khanna, MD | Beverly Hills
The technology is advanced. The judgment is personal.
Choosing SMILE Pro means choosing more than a machine.
Dr. Khanna is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained corneal and refractive surgeon. He has performed more than 25,000 vision procedures. His role is not merely to operate—it is to decide whether operating is the right choice, which procedure fits the eye, and how to manage the result.
- Published patient educator and author on SMILE vision correction
- Beverly Hills and Westlake Village patient care
A procedure-matching practice—not a one-laser sales pitch
At Khanna Vision Institute, the consultation should answer a more useful question than “Can I have SMILE Pro?” The real question is: “Which vision-correction strategy best fits my cornea, prescription, ocular surface, age, work, sports, and visual goals?”
The KVI approach
The goal is not to place every patient into the newest procedure. The goal is to identify the safest, most appropriate path to the vision that matters in that patient’s life.
CandidacyCould SMILE Pro fit your eyes?
Could SMILE Pro fit your eyes?
A good candidate is measured—not guessed.
Current U.S. SMILE labeling is for the reduction or elimination of myopia with or without astigmatism in appropriately selected adults. A comprehensive evaluation is essential because a glasses prescription alone does not reveal whether the cornea is safe for laser correction.
Common candidacy markers
- Age 22 or older under current U.S. labeling
- Stable prescription over the required period
- Eligible nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism
- Healthy corneal shape and adequate tissue
- Healthy or adequately treated ocular surface
- No disqualifying active eye disease
- Realistic expectations about recovery and results
Why SMILE Pro may not be right—or not yet
- Age outside current U.S. labeling
- Unstable prescription
- Abnormal topography or tomography
- Keratoconus or increased ectasia risk
- Significant untreated dry eye
- Insufficient corneal tissue
- Percent tissue removal exceeds safe limits
- Inadequate residual stromal bed
- Certain eye or systemic health conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Expectations no refractive procedure can safely meet
The tests that protect the result
Refraction
Measures the prescription and confirms stability.
Topography
Maps the corneal surface and curvature.
Tomography
Evaluates front and back corneal structure.
Pachymetry & distribution
Measures corneal thickness and how that thickness is distributed.
GVA
Assesses guided / corrected visual acuity as part of surgical planning.
Ocular surface
Assesses tear film, inflammation, and dry eye.
Eye-health exam
Reviews the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, and relevant medical history.
Over 40? The conversation changes
Correcting distance vision does not stop presbyopia—the natural age-related loss of near focus. Dr. Khanna should discuss your reading, computer, night-driving, and long-term lens needs before recommending corneal laser treatment. A distance-only fix can be the wrong answer to a distance-and-near problem.
Not a SMILE Pro candidate does not mean “no options”
Depending on the findings, Dr. Khanna may discuss LASIK or SuperLASIK, ASA/PRK, EVO ICL, a lens-based strategy, continued glasses or contacts, dry-eye treatment before reconsideration, or observation. The newest procedure is useful only when it is the right procedure.
RecoveryQuick for many. Still surgery for everyone.
Quick for many. Still surgery for everyone.
Recovery should fit your life—but it cannot be crowdsourced.
Many patients notice meaningful improvement quickly, sometimes by the next day. Healing speed, comfort, and activity clearance vary. Follow Dr. Khanna’s instructions rather than a generic social-media timeline.
Surgery day
Expect hazy or blurred vision, watering, light sensitivity, mild irritation, or a foreign-body sensation. Use prescribed drops, rest, do not rub the eyes, and have someone drive you home.
First 24 hours
Vision often improves, but may fluctuate. Attend the scheduled follow-up. Return to desk work or screens only as comfort and your surgeon allow.
First few days
Use drops exactly as directed, take screen breaks, blink frequently, wear sunglasses outdoors, and protect the eyes from dust, smoke, and accidental rubbing.
Exercise + water
Light activity may return sooner than strenuous or contact activity. Wait 2–3 weeks for swimming, hot tubs, or oceans. Martial arts, boxing, racquet sports, and other trauma-risk activities require explicit clearance.
Makeup + skincare
Avoid eye makeup and products that could enter or contaminate the eye until cleared. Restart carefully and do not rub eyes.
Driving + travel
Do not drive until you feel comfortable with the vision. Travel may be possible early, but keep drops with you, protect the eyes, and preserve follow-up access.
Screens after SMILE Pro
Phone and computer use does not undo the surgical correction. It can, however, make temporary dryness, fatigue, and blur more noticeable. Use short sessions, frequent blinking, regular breaks, and the drops Dr. Khanna recommends.
Call the surgical team promptly for
Significant or increasing pain, sudden vision loss, rapid deterioration, marked redness, discharge, severe light sensitivity, or any symptom that feels out of proportion to the recovery plan.
Benefits, limits, and risksWhy people consider SMILE Pro
Why people consider SMILE Pro
Potential advantages—without the sales fog.
Flapless
No conventional LASIK corneal flap is created.
Small incision
The lenticule is removed through a small access opening.
Fast Pro platform
VISUMAX 800 creates the lenticule in less than 10 seconds for myopia under specified ZEISS conditions.
Rapid visual recovery
Many suitable patients experience meaningful improvement soon after treatment.
Less dependence
The goal is to reduce reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
Different nerve profile
SMILE affects corneal nerves differently from LASIK; dry eye can still occur, but much less.
Keep it honest
No refractive surgery is risk-free or guaranteed.
Possible side effects and complications include temporary blur or fluctuation, dryness, light sensitivity, glare, halos, starbursts, undercorrection, overcorrection, residual prescription, regression, inflammation, infection, reduced visual quality, corneal complications, and the possible need for glasses, contact lenses, observation, or additional treatment.
Vision may fluctuate
Healing is a process, not a switch.
20/20 is not promised
Excellent outcomes are common; guarantees are not medicine.
Dry eye can happen
A flapless procedure does not eliminate ocular-surface symptoms.
Enhancement may not fit
Additional surgery depends on stability, tissue, shape, and eye health.
Eyes keep aging
Presbyopia, cataracts, and natural refractive changes can alter vision later.
Follow-up matters
Good vision on day one does not replace scheduled care of follow-up visits.
Is SMILE Pro “better” than LASIK?
Not universally. SMILE Pro and LASIK use different surgical approaches and each has advantages, limitations, and approved indications. For an appropriate candidate, both can produce strong refractive outcomes. The better procedure is the one that best matches the patient’s anatomy, prescription, ocular surface, lifestyle, and visual goals.
A useful promise
Khanna Vision Institute can promise a careful evaluation and a clear recommendation. We cannot promise perfect vision, zero risk, permanent freedom from glasses, or the same recovery for everyone.
Alternatives and quick answersOne option—not the only option
One option—not the only option
The right procedure may be SMILE Pro. It may be something else.
Frequently asked questions
1Is SMILE Pro the same as LASIK?
No. SMILE Pro removes a lenticule through a small incision. LASIK creates a corneal flap and uses an excimer laser to reshape tissue beneath it.
2Does SMILE Pro create a flap?
No flap is created.
3Is SMILE Pro better than regular SMILE?
It uses a newer, faster ZEISS platform with digital alignment and workflow aids. That can improve the treatment experience and workflow, but it does not automatically guarantee a better final visual result.
4How long is the laser step?
ZEISS reports lenticule creation in less than 10 seconds for myopia under specified conditions. The total procedure and appointment take longer.
5Can SMILE Pro correct astigmatism?
It can treat eligible myopia with astigmatism within the applicable U.S. indication and the patient’s measured anatomy.
6Can it correct farsightedness in the United States?
Not under the current FDA approval for VISUMAX 800 with SMILE Pro. International indications can differ.
7Can I work the next day?
Many office-based patients return quickly, but comfort, vision, job hazards, and Dr. Khanna’s instructions determine the timeline.
8Will I never need glasses again?
That cannot be guaranteed. Residual prescription, presbyopia, cataracts, and natural eye changes can create future needs.
In a nutshell
SMILE Pro is a next-generation way to perform small-incision lenticule extraction for eligible nearsightedness and astigmatism. Its speed and digital assistance are meaningful advances—but technology is only one part of a good outcome. A comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Khanna can determine whether SMILE Pro, another vision-correction procedure, or no surgery is the most appropriate choice for your eyes.
Medical information is educational and does not replace an examination. Eligibility, approved treatment range, risks, benefits, alternatives, recovery, and activity restrictions must be reviewed with the treating surgeon. Results vary.
Ready to see which procedure fits your eyes?
Book a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Rajesh Khanna in Beverly Hills. The goal is a clear recommendation based on your measurements, lifestyle, and visual priorities—not a one-size-fits-all sales pitch.
Book a Beverly Hills ConsultationKhanna Vision Institute • 9100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 265E • Beverly Hills, CA 90212