Procedures · 04 of 04
SILK
Smooth incision lenticule keratomileusis. A femtosecond laser creates a lenticule with a smooth edge profile inside the cornea, removed through a small opening. Flapless, quick, and designed with night-time vision quality in mind.
Cross-section, not to scale
- Approach
- Flapless lenticule extraction
- Laser platform
- SILK femtosecond platform
- Laser time
- Seconds per eye
- Sees clearly by
- The next morning, for most
- Back to work
- 1 to 2 days
- Suited to
- Myopia with or without astigmatism; night drivers
Who it suits
- Myopia, with or without astigmatism
- People who drive or work at night and care about glare
- Anyone who wants a flapless option with a quick recovery
What to know
- Not for hyperopia (plus powers)
- A newer procedure with a shorter track record than LASIK
- Suitability depends on the same scan as everything else
Recovery
What the first month looks like.
- Day 0
Seconds of laser per eye; about 10 minutes in the suite. Home within the hour.
- Day 1
First review. Most read 6/6 or close.
- Week 1
Drops on schedule. No swimming or eye make-up.
- Month 1
Stable. Final review.
SILK questions
Straight answers.
The general questions, on cost, safety and age, are answered on the main FAQ.
How is SILK different from SMILE Pro?
Both remove a lenticule without a flap. SILK is done on a different femtosecond platform with a lenticule profile designed for smooth edges, which the makers link to night-time vision quality. Your surgeon will tell you which fits your eyes and your budget.
The other three
- 01LASIKThe world's most performed vision correction. A thin flap, an excimer laser, clear vision by the next morning.Read
- 02PRKThe surface procedure. No flap at all, which makes it the safe choice for thin corneas and contact-sport lives.Read
- 03SMILE ProKeyhole surgery through a 2 mm opening on the ZEISS VisuMax 800. Laser time under ten seconds per eye, gentle on dry eyes.Read