Femto-LASIK
Proven. Precise. With the widest correction range.
Up to 45Short-sightedLong-sightedAstigmatism
Eye laser · Vision correction
SMILE® Pro eye laser in Germany
No flap. Minimally invasive.
4.8 Google 4.9 Trustpilot
Medical content prepared for review by Dr. med. Levent Kanal, head surgeonIn short
SMILE Pro is a gentle laser treatment for short-sightedness and astigmatism. The laser works inside the cornea for about 10 seconds per eye. No flap is cut. A tiny 2 mm opening is all it needs. Most patients are back at work after one or two days.
How it works — 3 steps
- 1The laser shapes a thin disc inside the cornea.It is called a lenticule and matches your prescription exactly.
- 2The surgeon removes it through a 2 mm opening.No flap, no stitches. The surface stays intact.
- 3Your cornea has its new, corrected shape.The opening closes by itself within hours.
Laser time
≈ 10 s per eye
ZEISS VisuMax 800
Time in the clinic
20–30 min
Both eyes, same day
Anaesthesia
Eye drops
No injection
Opening
≈ 2 mm
Instead of a 20 mm flap
Back to work
1–2 days
Screen work, driving
Suitable for
−0.5 to −10 D
Astigmatism up to 5 D
Not for: long-sightedness, thin cornea
SuitabilityIs SMILE Pro right for you?
A first orientation. The examination gives the final answer.
Good fit if …
- Short-sighted, −0.5 to −10 D. Astigmatism up to 5 D.
- 18 or older. Prescription stable for one year.
- Cornea thick and regular. We measure this.
- You do contact sport, or simply want no flap.
- Your eyes tend to be dry. SMILE Pro is gentler than LASIK here.
Better alternatives if …
- You are long-sighted → Femto-LASIK
- More than −10 D or a thin cornea → Implantable lens
- Over 45, reading is the main problem → Presbyond® or lens exchange
- Keratoconus, active eye disease, pregnancy → we discuss timing or other options.
Not sure? Tell us about your eyes. The head surgeon gives you a first answer, usually within one working day.
CompareSMILE Pro, Femto-LASIK or a lens?
Three good methods for three different eyes. The examination shows which one is yours.
SMILE vs. Femto-LASIK
Dr. Kanal compares both methods.
| SMILE® Pro | Femto-LASIK | Implantable lens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrects | Short-sight, astigmatism | Short- and long-sight, astigmatism | High values, thin cornea |
| Range | −0.5 to −10 D | −10 to +4 D | −3 to −20 D |
| Opening | 2 mm, no flap | 20 mm flap | 3 mm, cornea untouched |
| Dry eyes | Low | Moderate at first | Low |
| Recovery | 1–2 days | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| Reversible | No | No | Yes |
| Typical age | 18–45 | 18–45 | 21–45 |
| Contact sports | Well suited | Flap risk at first | Well suited |
ProcedureExamination, treatment, first check.
Three visits. All at our surgical centres in Wiesbaden and Düsseldorf.
Visit 1 · about 90 minutes
Examination
- We measure the cornea, tear film, pupils and your exact prescription.
- No soft lenses for 1–2 weeks before, no hard lenses for 3–4 weeks.
- Your pupils are dilated. Do not drive afterwards.
- Dr. Kanal explains your results and the right method for you.
Visit 2 · about 2 hours
Treatment day
- Come without make-up or lenses. Bring sunglasses and, if you can, a companion.
- Drops numb the eye. You look at a green light. The laser takes about 10 seconds.
- You feel pressure, not pain. The second eye follows right away.
- After a short rest you go home. Vision clears during the same day.
Eye laser in seconds
How fast the treatment really is.
The laser: ZEISS VisuMax 800
What the new generation changes for you.
The laser: ZEISS VisuMax 800
- About 10 seconds of laser per eye.
- Follows your eye movements during the treatment.
- Creates the lenticule inside the cornea — no flap, no second device.
Visit 3 · next morning
First check
- We check your eyes and go through your drops. Most patients see well enough to come on their own.
- Afterwards, routine eye check-ups near your home.
Dr. med. Levent Kanal · Head surgeon
“SMILE Pro is one of the gentlest laser methods we have today. No flap, a 2 mm access, and the surface stays intact. That is why I recommend it to active people and to patients with dry eyes.”
Cataract and corneal surgeon · trainer of eye surgeons · 25+ years
Every SMILE Pro is performed by the head surgeon himself.
RecoveryResults you can plan for.
The first days, and what you can realistically expect.
Back to everyday life
| Screen, reading, TV | next day |
| Driving | after the first check |
| Shower, hair washing | next day |
| Sport, gym | after 1 week |
| Eye make-up | after 1 week |
| Swimming, sauna | after 2–4 weeks |
What you do
- Use your drops as scheduled for 1–2 weeks.
- Do not rub your eyes in the first week.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors in the first days.
- Red, painful eye or sudden blur? Call us the same day.
What to expect
Good vision the next morning. Full sharpness within weeks. Final result after about 3 months. Five-year studies show stable results.
What it does not do
It does not stop the eye from ageing. Reading glasses can still come from the mid-forties. A small residual value is possible and can usually be corrected.
RisksThe complete list.
Complication rates are low in long-term studies. Low is not the same as none. Here is the complete list.
The 3 biggest fears before eye laser
Dr. Kanal answers them in one minute.
Dry eyes for a while
Common in the first weeks. Drops help. Milder than after LASIK.
Halos at night
Rings around lights in the first weeks. They fade in almost all patients.
Slower clearing
Some patients see hazily for a few days, not hours. The final result is the same.
Residual value
Rarely the target is not fully reached. A small touch-up is usually possible.
Very rare complications
Infection or an incomplete removal are very rare. Our centres work to clinical hygiene standards.
Not reversible
Removed tissue does not grow back. That is why we say no when the measurements are not right.
“Trust begins with openness. We go through every point on this list together, with your own measurements on the screen.”
Dr. med. Levent Kanal · Head surgeon
Eye laser patient
Patient story
“Finally without glasses. Waking up and simply seeing — that is a new life.”
CostsA written quote after the examination.
No price list on the website: the quote depends on your eyes and the method. This is what you can expect.
When you get the quote
After the examination, in writing, before you decide. No obligation.
What the quote lists
Examination, treatment of both eyes, the drops for the first weeks and the checks in our clinics — item by item.
Insurance and invoice
A private medical service in Germany. You receive an itemised invoice (GOÄ) for your insurer. Ask your insurer beforehand what they reimburse.
How you pay
By bank transfer or card, in euros. Payment options for patients from abroad are explained with the quote.
Prices are not published online because they depend on the findings of your examination. We answer cost questions personally: ask us.
From further awayComing from another region or from abroad?
Two steps. First we check remotely whether SMILE Pro is right for you. Only then do you travel, for three days.
1Before you travel
Remote assessmentA first answer before you travel.
You tell us about your eyes and your current values in a private conversation. Dr. Kanal says whether SMILE Pro is realistic for you. If the answer is no, you do not travel.
What we will ask you
- Your current glasses or lens values
- Your age and how long your values have been stable
- Contact lens type and any eye conditions
You get a personal answer from Dr. Kanal, usually within one working day.
Your planThree days. One trip.
- 1
Day 1 · Examination
90 minutes. No contact lenses before.
- 2
Day 2 · Treatment
Both eyes. About two hours in the clinic.
- 3
Day 3 · First check
In the morning. Then you can travel home.
- +
At home
Routine eye check-ups near your home.
Coming from further away? The schedule can differ from this plan. Ask us before you book anything. Ask about your plan · WhatsApp
2Your visit
Three days with usExamination, treatment and first check on three consecutive days.
Once the remote assessment is positive, we plan the three days around your arrival in Wiesbaden or Düsseldorf. All later checks take place near your home.
Which airport, and how do I reach the clinic?Languages
Consultation and all documents in German and English.
Insurance and invoice
A private medical service in Germany. Itemised invoice for your insurer. Written quote after the examination.
Aftercare at home
Written report for your eye doctor. We stay reachable by WhatsApp for questions after you return.
200 km for eye laser — was it worth it?
A patient who travelled to us tells his story.
Live in Rhine-Main or the Rhineland? Then no travel planning is needed. Your follow-up checks can take place at any of our 12 locations. Find your nearest clinic
Why Dr. LookOne surgeon for every patient. Two surgical centres.
Dr. med. Levent Kanal operates on every patient himself, in Wiesbaden and Düsseldorf: thousands of operations in 25 years. He leads a large team and trains young surgeons.
25+ years
of surgical experience
Thousands
of operations, every one by the head surgeon
12 locations
one surgeon, two surgical centres
Large team
led personally; young surgeons trained here
Beyond the clinicTraining young surgeons. Giving back.
Teaching
Training the next generation of eye surgeons
Ophthalmology wetlab in Aschaffenburg · Dr. Kanal as instructor
Community
Social commitment
Neuss integration run · sport connects people
Dr. Look channelHear it from our patients.
Patient stories
Modern eye medicine for clear vision
Dr. Levent Kanal
Why Dr. Look
Artificial lenses compared — monofocal, multifocal or EDoF?Lens surgeryVisuMax 800 & SMILE Pro — the new laser generationEye laser
Crosslinking for keratoconus: effect & benefitsEye healthQuestions about SMILE Pro
What is the difference to LASIK?
LASIK cuts a 20 mm flap. SMILE Pro needs only a 2 mm opening. Fewer nerves are cut, so the eye stays more stable and less dry.
Does it hurt?
No. Drops numb the eye. You feel light pressure for about 10 seconds. A scratchy feeling in the first hours is normal.
When can I see and work again?
Vision is usable the same evening. Screen work the next day. Final result after about 3 months.
I have high dioptre values. Am I suitable?
Up to about −10 D with a thick enough cornea, yes. Above that an implantable lens is usually the better option.
Both eyes on the same day?
Yes. Both eyes are treated in one session. That is the standard for SMILE Pro.
Who performs the treatment?
Dr. med. Levent Kanal, the head surgeon, performs every SMILE Pro himself. In Wiesbaden and Düsseldorf.
I live far away. How many days do I need?
Three days: examination, treatment, first check. We first assess remotely whether the treatment is realistic for you; then you travel. Later checks can be done near your home.
What does it cost?
You get a written quote after the examination, listing exactly what is included. In Germany this is a private service.
LocationsFind the clinic closest to you
Two surgical centres and ten clinics. Choose your region and get directions in one tap.
Your journey to usWhich airport, and how do I reach the clinic?
Choose your surgical centre. The map shows the airport, the other clinics and the way to us.
Other treatmentsWhich method suits your eyes?
Laser or lens: the examination shows which treatment fits. Here are the alternatives at a glance.
Presbyond®
Near and far vision. Without reading glasses.
From 45PresbyopiaAstigmatism
Multifocal lenses
Reading, screen and driving with one lens.
From 45PresbyopiaCataract
EDoF lenses
Far and screen distance, with fewer halos at night.
From 45PresbyopiaCataract
Refractive lens exchange
The natural lens is replaced. No cataract later in life.
From 45PresbyopiaCataract
Cataract
Outpatient, about 15 minutes per eye. Clear the next morning.
OutpatientMonofocalMultifocalEDoF
Scientific sources
What this page is based on
Scientific sources
What this page is based on
Peer-reviewed studies and medical societies only. No manufacturer or commercial sources.
- Peer-reviewed study
Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE): history, fundamentals and clinical outcomes
Reinstein DZ, Archer TJ, Gobbe M · Eye and Vision 2014;1:3
- Peer-reviewed study
Five-year results of small incision lenticule extraction (ReLEx SMILE)
Blum M, Täubig K, Gruhn C, Sekundo W, Kunert KS · British Journal of Ophthalmology 2016;100(9):1192–1195
- Peer-reviewed study
SMILE for myopia and myopic astigmatism: results of a 6-month prospective study
Sekundo W, Kunert KS, Blum M · British Journal of Ophthalmology 2011;95(3):335–339
- Peer-reviewed study
Results of small incision lenticule extraction: all-in-one femtosecond laser refractive surgery
Shah R, Shah S, Sengupta S · Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 2011;37(1):127–137
- Medical society
Assessment and quality assurance of refractive surgical procedures
Kommission Refraktive Chirurgie (KRC) of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) and the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists (BVA)
- Patient information
What is small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)?
American Academy of Ophthalmology, EyeSmart patient information