Nearsightedness affects nearly 2 billion people worldwide, and laser vision correction surgery has become the mainstream choice for glasses removal. With different technologies like SMILE, Femto-LASIK, SMART, and ICL available, how do you choose the best surgical method suited for you? Which hospitals are truly reliable? Are there any postoperative complications? This article provides you with the latest laser vision correction guide, covering the principles of each technology, cost comparison, hospital selection, and complete postoperative care to help you make an informed decision on vision correction.
1. Comparison of Mainstream Laser Vision Correction Technologies
1. SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) – Top Recommendation
- Principle: Entirely femtosecond laser, no corneal flap creation
- Advantages: Only 2mm incision, fast recovery (24 hours), low risk of dry eye
- Disadvantages: Cannot correct astigmatism over 300 degrees
- Suitable Range: Myopia 100–1000 degrees
- Price: 18,000–25,000 RMB for both eyes
2. Femto-LASIK – Cost-Effective Option
- Principle: Femtosecond laser flap creation + excimer laser ablation
- Advantages: Can correct astigmatism up to 600 degrees, moderate price
- Disadvantages: 20mm incision, higher dry eye risk
- Suitable Range: Myopia 50–1200 degrees
- Price: 12,000–18,000 RMB for both eyes
3. SMART (All Laser) – For Special Needs
- Principle: Direct excimer laser ablation without flap
- Advantages: No incision, suitable for thin corneas
- Disadvantages: Strong pain sensation, slow recovery (about 1 week)
- Suitable Range: Myopia 50–600 degrees
- Price: 15,000–20,000 RMB for both eyes
4. ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) – Top Choice for High Myopia
- Principle: Implantation of a foldable lens inside the eye
- Advantages: No corneal tissue removal, reversible (up to 1800 degrees)
- Disadvantages: High price, risk of infection
- Suitable Range: Myopia 300–1800 degrees
- Price: 30,000–40,000 RMB for both eyes
2. Top Refractive Surgery Hospitals Nationwide
1. Beijing Tongren Hospital Refractive Center
- Technical Strength: Earliest SMILE surgery in China (2010)
- Expert Team: Professor Zhou Yuehua (over 100,000 surgeries)
- Reference Price: SMILE at 23,000 RMB
2. Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital (Fudan University Affiliate)
- Technical Strength: Personalized corneal topography guidance
- Equipment: German Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond laser
- Reference Price: Femto-LASIK at 15,000 RMB
3. Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
- Technical Strength: Asia's largest ophthalmic center
- Special Service: 10-year postoperative follow-up
- Reference Price: ICL at 38,000 RMB
4. Wenzhou Medical University Eye Hospital
- Technical Strength: Independently developed corneal collagen cross-linking technology
- Suitable for: Patients with thin corneas (below 450μm)
3. Six Key Indicators You Must Know Before Surgery
1. Preoperative Examinations (Must Have)
- Corneal thickness measurement (normal > 480μm)
- Corneal topography (to exclude keratoconus)
- Tear secretion test (dry eye screening)
- Fundus examination (mandatory for high myopia)
2. Generation of Surgical Equipment (Determines Safety)
| Device Model | Generation | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Zeiss VisuMax | Third-generation femtosecond laser | Gold standard |
| Eagle FS200 | Second-generation femto-LASIK | High cost performance |
| Amaris 1050RS | Latest all-laser system | High precision |
3. Surgeon Experience Threshold
- Entry-level: Over 500 surgeries performed
- Senior: Over 3,000 surgeries (preferred)
- Warning: Beware of "novice surgeons offering low prices to practice"
4. Postoperative Guarantee
- Reputable hospitals provide:
- Free check-ups within 1 year
- Postoperative enhancement guarantees (re-treatment if vision regresses)
5. Price Breakdown
| Cost Item | Reasonable Range |
|---|---|
| Preoperative exam | 500–1000 RMB |
| Surgery fee | 12,000–40,000 RMB |
| Post-op medications | 300–800 RMB |
| Follow-up visits | Usually free |
6. Five Conditions Unsuitable for Surgery
❌ Keratoconus tendency
❌ Corneal thickness < 450μm
❌ Severe dry eye
❌ Uncontrolled glaucoma
❌ Pregnant or breastfeeding women
4. Complete Surgical Process and Postoperative Care
1. Preoperative Preparation
- Stop wearing contact lenses: soft lenses 1 week, hard lenses 3 weeks
- Use antibiotic eye drops 3 days before surgery
- No makeup or perfume on surgery day
2. Surgical Procedure (Using SMILE as example)
- Topical anesthesia (eye drops)
- Femtosecond laser creates lenticule (23 seconds per eye)
- Surgeon removes lenticule
- Post-op slit lamp examination
3. Postoperative Recovery Timeline
| Time | Precautions |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | Light sensitivity and tearing (normal) |
| Day 3 | Return to work (avoid strong light) |
| Within 1 week | Avoid eye rubbing and swimming |
| Within 1 month | Avoid strenuous exercise |
4. Essential Postoperative Care
- Artificial tears (sodium hyaluronate eye drops)
- UV protection sunglasses (must-have)
- Eye mask for sleep (to prevent unconscious eye rubbing)
5. In-depth FAQ
Q1: Which is better, SMILE or Femto-LASIK?
✅ SMILE advantages: safer, faster recovery; Femto-LASIK advantages: lower cost, wider correction range
Q2: Are there any complications?
⚠️ Common temporary symptoms:
- Dry eye (relieves in 3–6 months)
- Night glare (disappears within 1 year for 90% of patients)
Q3: Will vision regress?
With proper eye care:
- Low to moderate myopia (<600 degrees) relapse rate <5%
- High myopia requires extra eye hygiene care
Q4: Why is there such a big price difference?
Main factors:
- Equipment costs (Zeiss vs. domestic devices can differ by millions RMB)
- Surgeon qualifications (expert fees add 2,000–5,000 RMB)
6. Ultimate Surgery Selection Recommendations for 2024
- Below 500 degrees: Prefer SMILE (safety first)
- 500–800 degrees: Femto-LASIK or SMILE
- Above 800 degrees: Consider ICL implantation
- Astigmatism > 300 degrees: Choose customized Femto-LASIK
Important Reminder: Regular follow-up within 1 year after surgery is crucial!
