SMILE vs LASIK: Which Vision Correction Is Right for You in Omaha?
Published by on January 9, 2026
Choosing between SMILE and LASIK can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to decide which vision correction option fits your eyes, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals. Many people turn to Kugler Vision because they want a clear, honest explanation of how these two advanced treatments differ and what kind of result each may offer. SMILE is FDA-approved for nearsightedness with or without astigmatism, while LASIK can also treat farsightedness and more complex refractive errors. Both procedures are safe, modern solutions for refractive errors, but they work in different ways and support different patient needs. This guide breaks down those differences in simple terms to help you make an informed decision. To learn what is best for your eyes, schedule a consultation with Kugler Vision.
What’s the Difference Between SMILE and LASIK?
The main difference between SMILE and LASIK is how each procedure reshapes the cornea to correct near-sightedness, astigmatism, and other vision correction needs. LASIK creates a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser and then uses an excimer laser to reshape the exposed corneal tissue, while SMILE uses one laser to remove a small disc of tissue through a tiny keyhole incision without creating a flap. Kugler Vision is known regionally for being a leader in small incision lenticule extraction, offering Omaha patients access to advanced technology not widely available elsewhere. Because these two approaches differ in how much tissue they disturb, they can also differ in comfort, healing, and early visual recovery.
How LASIK Works
LASIK reshapes the cornea by creating a flap that allows the surgeon to reach deeper layers of tissue quickly and precisely. This approach supports a wide range of prescriptions and allows for customization based on corneal topography or wavefront data when needed. Many patients enjoy sharp vision the next day because LASIK typically delivers some of the fastest early improvement in visual acuity among laser vision correction procedures. This option is ideal for individuals who want rapid clarity or have more complex optical needs that require advanced mapping.
How SMILE Works
SMILE, also known as small incision lenticule extraction, reshapes the cornea through a tiny 2–4 mm opening without creating a flap. The laser forms a lenticule inside the tissue and removes it through the keyhole incision, making SMILE a more tissue-sparing form of laser eye surgery. Kugler Vision has been one of the first and most experienced clinics in the region to offer this minimally invasive LASIK alternative. SMILE appeals strongly to active patients because there is no flap, eliminating the (very rare) risk of flap-related issues with trauma, and many appreciate the reduced disturbance to the corneal surface.
How Quickly Do You See Results with Each Option?
LASIK generally offers the quickest early clarity, with many patients seeing near-final sharpness within 24 hours. SMILE may appear a bit hazy early on, but vision typically stabilizes over the following days and weeks, and long-term outcomes for both treatments are nearly identical when performed on the right candidate. Kugler Vision evaluates each patient’s lifestyle, prescription, and dryness levels to help determine whether faster early clarity or greater tissue preservation is the priority. Both options fall under advanced laser vision correction and offer excellent long-term safety profiles.
Which Option Has the Lower Risk of Dryness?
SMILE tends to cause fewer early symptoms of dry eye because it preserves more corneal nerves… The difference is most noticeable in the first few months after surgery; long-term dryness rates are similar when patients are well-screened. The tiny SMILE incision disturbs less tissue than the flap created during LASIK surgery, making it appealing for people who already experience dryness from screens, environment, or contact lens wear. Kugler Vision frequently recommends SMILE for individuals with borderline dryness because the technique supports more stable post-operative comfort. LASIK remains safe and effective, but it does have a higher chance of short-term dryness due to the larger surface area treated.
Which Procedure Preserves More Corneal Strength?
SMILE maintains more biomechanical stability because it creates only a small incision rather than a broad flap, and this can be important for high-activity lifestyles. Fewer structural fibers are disturbed, which means better preservation of natural corneal strength over time. Kugler Vision often considers SMILE for patients involved in motorcycling, high-impact sports, or professions where eye trauma is possible. LASIK is still structurally stable for most people, but SMILE offers an added margin of safety for those who prioritize long-term strength.
Who Is a Better Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK is often the better option for people who want the crispest vision on day one, have higher prescriptions, or need advanced customization to treat irregularities. Because LASIK supports wavefront-guided and topography-guided profiles, it can tackle complex optics and higher-order issues that SMILE is not yet approved to treat. Kugler Vision may recommend LASIK if your prescription is outside SMILE’s ideal range or if reducing subtle aberrations is the priority. Patients who choose LASIK appreciate the precision and rapid clarity it consistently delivers.
Who Is a Better Candidate for SMILE?
SMILE is well-suited for people with moderate refractive surgery needs who value tissue preservation, reduced dryness risk, and fewer structural concerns. The flap-free approach appeals to highly active individuals who want to avoid any chance of flap-related complication after eye surgery. Kugler Vision often guides patients toward SMILE if they have straightforward myopia or astigmatism, engage in contact sports, or have a history of dryness while wearing glasses or contact lenses. SMILE’s small incision also means less surface disruption and a smoother recovery experience for many individuals.
Is One Procedure Clearly Better Than the Other?
Neither SMILE nor LASIK is universally better; the right choice depends on your prescription, eye anatomy, dryness, activity level, and personal priorities. Both are advanced forms of laser surgery that can reduce or eliminate the need for a corrective lens, but they meet different needs depending on the individual and their long-term goals. Kugler Vision performs a detailed exam and imaging to identify the best approach based on your unique situation. A personalized comparison ensures your choice fits both your eyes and your lifestyle.
Key Differences Between SMILE and LASIK
Here is a simple overview to help you weigh both options:
- LASIK: Faster early clarity, broader treatable range, higher customizability.
- SMILE: Flap-free, lower dryness risk, better biomechanical preservation.
- Both: Excellent long-term safety, strong outcomes, and widely trusted across the world of laser vision correction.
This summary highlights why many patients rely on Kugler Vision to help balance safety, clarity, and long-term comfort.
Your Personalized Vision Recommendation Starts Here
Choosing between SMILE and LASIK doesn’t have to be confusing when you have the right guidance. Kugler Vision uses advanced imaging, including corneal topography, to determine the safest and most effective treatment for each patient’s needs. Whether you’re motivated by comfort, performance, stability, or the desire to eliminate a corrective lens, your recommendation will be made only after understanding your full visual profile. The right option is the one aligned with your prescription, lifestyle, and long-term eye health.
Ready for Clear Vision? Your Next Step Starts Today
If you’re trying to decide between SMILE and LASIK, a comprehensive evaluation is the only way to know which choice best supports your goals, daily habits, and eye anatomy. Kugler Vision specializes in advanced laser vision correction and is one of the most experienced providers of SMILE in the region, giving Omaha patients access to technology not widely available elsewhere. Whether your priority is dryness relief, fast clarity, long-term stability, or freedom from glasses and contacts, you’ll get a personalized recommendation grounded in precision and experience. Schedule your consultation with Kugler Vision today and take the next step toward life without visual limits.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
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