5th-generation SMILE, performed with SCHWIND ATOS from Germany.
OLIM Eye Clinic Gangnam uses SCHWIND technology from eye measurement to surgery, planned 1:1 for each patient. Even with the same SMILE, the details of surgery depend on what's used and how.
You're examined sitting up and operated on lying down. Changing position rotates the astigmatism axis; ATOS compensates for this rotation and follows even tiny eye movements during surgery to stay centered.
High thermal energy creates bubbles in the cornea and roughens the cut surface. A fast speed of up to 4MHz and low energy down to 75nJ reduce both surgery time and corneal damage.
Without disturbing the pain-sensing corneal epithelium, only corneal stroma is removed through a 2mm incision. That means less pain and quicker recovery.
Every patient gets a one-on-one treatment plan,
OLIM Eye Clinic Gangnam’s principle of care
and after the exam, we recommend only the surgery you need.
Cuts only the target area in quadrillionths of a second, separating the corneal lenticule precisely.
You are examined sitting up and operated on lying down. Correcting the shift in astigmatism axis caused by the change in posture makes astigmatism correction more accurate.
Detects and follows tiny eye movements during surgery to keep the center accurate.
The part that touches the eye is curved, reducing pressure on the eye while it is held in place.
High thermal energy roughens the cut surface. Speeds up to 4MHz and energy as low as 75nJ reduce both surgery time and corneal damage.
Images: SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions (SCHWIND ATOS product information)
At OLIM Eye Clinic Gangnam, eye measurement and surgery both use SCHWIND technology.
After numbing the cornea with eye drops, the laser completes the surgery in three steps.
The ATOS femtosecond laser creates a lenticule inside the cornea.
A small incision of about 2mm is made to remove the lenticule.
The lenticule is removed through the incision, and the surgery is complete.
Images: SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions (SCHWIND ATOS product information)
Poor eyesight doesn't mean everyone gets the same surgery. We check corneal thickness and shape, eye pressure, retina and tear condition together before deciding whether surgery is possible and how to correct.
Analyzes corneal topography, thickness and shape to detect abnormal corneas such as keratoconus before surgery.
Captures 200° wide-field images out to the peripheral retina without dilating drops, for early detection of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.
Images the meibomian glands and measures tear meniscus height, tear break-up time, lipid layer and redness.
Measures refractive power and corneal curvature to determine sphere, cylinder and astigmatism axis.
Measures eye pressure without touching the eye. Used for early glaucoma diagnosis and follow-up.
The US FDA advises talking separately with your doctor before laser vision correction if any of the following apply.
What to prepare and the changes you may notice during recovery, by stage. You'll receive your own schedule after the exam.
Stop wearing contact lenses so the cornea returns to its natural shape. Hard or toric lenses may need a longer break—please check when booking.
Avoid alcohol and smoking and get enough sleep. Please schedule so you aren't overworked and tired on surgery day.
Come without eye makeup and in comfortable clothes. Protective glasses against sun and wind are helpful. Driving is difficult after surgery, so come with a companion or use public transport.
Your eyes may feel dry, or you may notice glare or a gritty feeling. How much and for how long depends on your eyes.
Vision may fluctuate slightly. The FDA's LASIK patient information explains that vision can take 3–6 months to stabilize.
Keep your scheduled follow-up visits. Eye health care continues to matter after surgery.
Contact us right away if
If pain worsens or vision keeps getting worse, contact us right away instead of waiting for your appointment.
Every surgery has risks. Below is what the US FDA tells people considering laser vision correction. Whether to have surgery is decided through a detailed exam and consultation with our doctors.
Some patients may experience vision loss that's hard to reverse even with glasses, contacts or further surgery.
In dim conditions such as at night or in fog, you may see less clearly than before.
If correction misses the target, you may need glasses again or need to discuss further correction.
Reduced tears can cause discomfort and occasional blurry vision. Treatment such as eye drops may be needed.
If inflammation or infection develops after surgery, intensive eye drops or further treatment may be needed.
All four correct refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism. Which one suits you is decided by your exam results.
| 5th-gen SMILE | LASIK | LASEK | ICL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it corrects | A femtosecond laser creates a piece of corneal stroma, which is removed. | A corneal flap is created and lifted, and the laser is applied to the stroma. | The corneal epithelium is removed, the laser is applied, and a protective bandage lens is placed. | The cornea is left as is, and a lens is placed behind the iris. |
| Incision · flap | 2mm minimal incision No flap | Flap (cap) created | No flap Epithelium removed | Incision of about 3mm at the edge of the cornea |
| Corneal tissue removal | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recovery time | Explained after exam | 1–2 days | 2–4 days | Explained after exam |
| Who might consider it | Thin corneas or large pupils High myopia · high astigmatism | Thicker corneas Moderate or lower myopia Those wanting fast recovery | Thin corneas High · extreme myopia Frequent strenuous or contact sports | Corneas too thin or myopia too severe for laser Extreme myopia · astigmatism · hyperopia |
From a child’s first Dream Lens to vision correction, eye-area care and presbyopia surgery. An eye clinic you’ll have a reason to return to at every age.
We help manage myopia in growing eyes.
A first step toward seeing without glasses or contacts.
Care for eyes and eye areas worn out by screens.
Presbyopia and cataract, plus the optic nerve and retina.
For anything else, ask us on WhatsApp.
LASIK creates and lifts a corneal flap (cap), then applies the laser to the stroma. 5th-generation SMILE creates no flap; a piece of corneal stroma made by a femtosecond laser is removed through a 2mm incision.
We don't decide by one vision number. We check corneal thickness and shape, degree of myopia and astigmatism, eye pressure, retina and dry eye together to decide whether surgery is possible and which method. If your cornea is thin or your myopia is severe, ICL can also be considered.
Yes. Contact lenses change corneal shape and affect measurements. Usually stop for 1–2 weeks; hard or toric lenses may need a longer break—please check when booking.
Driving is difficult after surgery, so please come with a companion or use public transport. Please come without eye makeup. Registration for exams and surgery closes 2 hours before clinic closing.
Early on you may have dryness, glare or a gritty feeling, and how much and for how long varies by person. You'll use prescribed drops and we'll check your progress at regular check-ups. If pain worsens or vision keeps getting worse, contact us right away instead of waiting for your appointment.
Our director reviews your results and explains them in person.
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