SMILE Pro and Dry Eyes

Why Dry Eyes Occur After Refractive Surgery Refractive procedures can temporarily affect corneal nerve function, which plays a role in normal tear production and eye lubrication, commonly leading to temporary dry-eye symptoms during healing. SMILE Pro's Flapless Advantage Because SMILE Pro is performed through a small incision rather than a large corneal flap, it disrupts fewer corneal surface nerves than flap-based procedures, which is associated with a different dry-eye risk profile for many patients. If You Already Have Dry Eyes Patients with pre-existing dry-eye conditions should discuss this directly with their surgeon, as it may affect candidacy or require additional management before and after the procedure. Managing Dry-Eye Symptoms After SMILE Pro Lubricating eye drops, as prescribed by your surgical team, are commonly used to manage temporary dry-eye symptoms during healing. When to Seek Advice Persistent or worsening dry-eye symptoms after your procedure should be discussed with your surgical team at your follow-up visits.