SILK vs SMILE
SILK and SMILE are both innovative lenticule extraction technologies designed for vision correction, offering effective alternatives to traditional glasses and contact lenses. SILK, developed by Johnson & Johnson, has introduced advancements that enhance its performance over SMILE, created by Zeiss.
SILK: Advanced and Efficient SILK stands out in the field of refractive surgery with several key features
1. Ultra-Low Energy Laser: SILK's laser (spot) operates at an energy level of just 60 nanojoules, significantly lower than SMILE's 150 nanojoules. This lower energy means reduced collateral tissue damage, leading to decreased inflammation and a faster visual recovery.
2. Bridgeless Spot Separation: A distinctive feature of SILK is its bridgeless laser spot separation, which ensures the smoothest possible dissection of the lenticule. This precision contributes to the procedure's name, SILK (Smooth Incision Lenticule Keratomileusis), and results in less surgical manipulation, reducing swelling and inflammation and enhancing visual recovery.
3. Biconvex Lenticule Design: SILK's biconvex lenticule design is superior in enhancing vision quality, accelerating nerve regeneration, and significantly reducing dry eye symptoms post-surgery. It also maintains depth of focus and ensures a lag-free transition in focus.
4. Cyclotorsion Compensation: This feature corrects for the eye's rotation when changing from sitting to lying down, a factor not addressed in SMILE, often leading to residual astigmatism post-SMILE procedures.
5. Visual Axis Treatment: SILK aligns treatments with the visual axis, providing a more natural and effective vision correction compared to SMILE's focus on the pupillary axis.
6. Rapid Recovery Time: SILK offers a remarkable recovery time of just 24 hours, far quicker than SMILE's one-week recovery period.
SMILE: A Competent Refractive Procedure While SMILE is a reliable procedure, it has certain limitations
1. Higher Energy Laser: The higher energy laser in SMILE can lead to more extensive collateral damage, resulting in a longer recovery period.
2. Spot Separation of 4 Microns: In SMILE, the laser spot separation is about 4 microns, which far more than SILK's bridgeless laser spots. This can lead to more tissue manipulation leading to swelling, inflammation, and a longer period for visual recovery in SMILE.
3. Flat Lenticule Design: Compared to SILK's biconvex lenticule, SMILE's flat lenticule may slow nerve regeneration and increase post-surgery dry eye symptoms. It could also affect the depth of focus and induce transition lag.
4. Lack of Cyclotorsion Compensation: The absence of this feature in SMILE can result in residual astigmatism post-surgery.
Conclusion
Both SILK and SMILE provide effective solutions for those seeking freedom from glasses and contact lenses. However, SILK's advanced features, including its ultra-low energy laser, bridgeless spot separation, biconvex lenticule design, cyclotorsion compensation, and rapid recovery, make it a superior choice. Patients considering refractive surgery should consult with an eye care professional to determine the most suitable option for their vision needs.
