In the evolving landscape of vision correction, SILK, SMILE, and LASIK represent significant milestones.
However, SILK eye surgery, based on a cutting-edge technology developed by Johnson & Johnson, stands out for its advanced features and superior outcomes, offering a compelling alternative to both SMILE, created by Zeiss, and the traditional LASIK procedure.
Difference between SILK, SMILE and LASIK Procedures for Specs Removal
The main difference between SILK, SMILE and other Laser (LASIK) procedures is that SILK eye surgery offers the highest quality of vision, 24 hours recovery and extreme safety as compared to others.
| Feature | SILK | SMILE | LASIK |
| Manufacturer | Johnson & Johnson | Zeiss | Various |
| Technique | Flapless, less invasive | Lenticule extraction | Involves creating a corneal flap |
| Laser Energy Level | Ultra-low, 60 nanojoules | Higher, 150 nanojoules | Variable |
| Collateral Tissue Damage | Reduced due to lower energy | More due to higher energy | Depends on technique |
| Spot Separation | Bridgeless, smoother dissection | About 4 microns, more tissue manipulation | N/A |
| Lenticule Design | Biconvex, enhancing vision and reducing dry eyes | Flat | N/A |
| Vision Quality | Up to 6/5 vision, focuses on visual axis (natural axis) | Standard 6/6 vision, focuses on pupillary axis | Standard 6/6 vision, focuses on pupillary axis |
| Dry Eye Incidence | Reduced, gentler on corneal nerves | Less | Higher, due to flap creation |
| Cyclotorsion Compensation | Included, adjusts for eye rotation | Not included | Not included |
| Depth of Focus | Preserved, smooth transition between focal points | Less optimal, can have transition lag | Less optimal, can have transition lag |
| Recovery Time | Rapid, typically within 24 hours | Longer, around one week | Advised rest for about 7 days |
| Suitability for Active Lifestyles | More suitable, no flap-related risks | Suitable for active lifestyle | Less suitable, risks with high-contact activities |
| Post-Surgery Comfort | Enhanced, due to reduced dry eye symptoms | Less comfortable | Less comfortable, longer recovery, potential for dry eyes |
| Halos and Glare | Highly rare, due to advanced technology | More common, particularly in low-light conditions | More common, particularly in low-light conditions |
SILK vs SMILE
Both of them are innovative lenticule extraction technologies, but SILK introduces several advancements enhancing its performance over SMILE.
Below are some of the areas in which SILK is significantly different from SMILE:
- Ultra-Low Energy Laser: SILK operates at a mere 60 nanojoules compared to SMILE’s 150 nanojoules, reducing collateral tissue damage and promoting faster visual recovery.
- Bridgeless Spot Separation: SILK’s unique separation method results in smoother lenticule dissection, less swelling, and inflammation, enhancing recovery.
- Biconvex Lenticule Design: This design in SILK improves vision quality, accelerates nerve regeneration, and reduces dry eye symptoms.
- Cyclotorsion Compensation: SILK corrects eye rotation changes, a feature that is absent in SMILE, reducing the risk of residual astigmatism.
- Visual Axis Treatment: SILK aligns treatment with the visual axis, unlike SMILE’s focus on the pupillary axis, ensuring more natural and effective vision correction.
- Rapid Recovery Time: SILK patients typically experience a recovery time of just 24 hours, significantly shorter than the one-week period associated with SMILE.
SILK vs LASIK
SILK not only surpasses SMILE but also revolutionizes the field over the traditional LASIK procedure:
- Flapless Technique: SILK’s approach eliminates the risks associated with LASIK’s corneal flap, making it safer for individuals in contact-intensive activities.
- Superior Vision Quality: Achieving up to 6/5 vision, SILK surpasses LASIK’s 6/6 standard by focusing on the visual axis.
- Reduced Dry Eye Incidence: The biconvex lenticule design in SILK is gentler on corneal nerves, leading to a lower incidence of dry eyes post-surgery.
- Cyclotorsion Compensation: SILK’s inclusion of this feature ensures higher accuracy in cylinder correction.
- Preserved Depth of Focus: The unique design in SILK maintains depth of focus, ensuring a smooth transition across different focal points.
Advantages of SILK Over SMILE and LASIK
SILK offers numerous advantages over both SMILE and LASIK:
- Enhanced Safety: The flapless and low-energy approach of SILK significantly reduces surgical risks.
- Rapid Recovery: SILK enables patients to resume normal activities within 24 hours, a stark contrast to the longer recovery times of SMILE and LASIK.
- Superior Visual Outcomes: With advanced technology focusing on the visual axis, SILK offers clearer, sharper vision.
- Reduced Side Effects: SILK’s approach minimizes common post-surgical issues like dry eyes, halos, and glare.
Conclusion based on Our Experience
In our experience, SILK emerges as the clear leader in the realm of vision correction, surpassing SMILE and LASIK in safety, efficacy, and recovery.
Its advanced technology and patient-centric design make it an ideal choice for those seeking superior visual outcomes and a quick return to daily life.
For individuals considering vision correction, SILK represents not just a procedure but a pathway to enhanced vision and lifestyle, setting a new standard in the field.