FAQ Category: SMILE

Florida Eye Custom Vision — formerly Maida Custom Vision, serving Jacksonville since 1995 — is one of the only private practices in Northeast Florida offering SMILE laser vision correction. Our

Florida Eye Custom Vision performs SMILE using the Zeiss VisuMax 500 femtosecond laser — the proven platform behind more than 8 million SMILE procedures performed worldwide since the procedure’s introduction.

Dry eye after LASIK is primarily caused by severing of the corneal nerves that stimulate tear production — a consequence of creating the 20mm flap. SMILE’s 2–4mm incision disrupts far

SMILE at Florida Eye Custom Vision is priced at approximately $5,950 for both eyes — the same price as LASIK. That fee covers your pre-operative evaluation, the procedure itself, and

SMILE is widely considered the preferred laser vision correction option for physically active patients, military personnel, and anyone involved in contact sports. Because no corneal flap is created, there is

SMILE has an outstanding safety record backed by more than 8 million procedures performed worldwide on the Zeiss VisuMax platform — the same system used at Florida Eye Custom Vision.

Most SMILE patients notice significantly improved vision within 24 hours. Mild blurring, light sensitivity, and a slight gritty sensation are common the first day and typically resolve within 48–72 hours.

SMILE is not painful. Numbing drops are applied before the procedure, and most patients feel only mild pressure — not pain — during the treatment. The active laser time is

The most important difference is that SMILE requires no corneal flap. LASIK creates a 20mm flap to access the corneal tissue beneath; SMILE uses a 2–4mm incision instead. This means

Good SMILE candidates are adults 21 or older with stable myopia (nearsightedness) up to –10.00 diopters and astigmatism up to –3.00 diopters, whose prescription has not changed significantly in the