Formerly Maida Custom Vision | Serving Northeast Florida since 1995

(904)-268-3937
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(904)-268-3937
Book now

SMILE Laser Eye Surgery in Jacksonville

Experience the newest evolution in flapless, minimally invasive vision correction at Florida Eye Custom Vision. As formerly Maida Custom Vision, we proudly bring over 30 years of trusted surgical excellence to every procedure.
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(904) 268-3937

What is SMILE Laser Eye Surgery?

SMILE laser eye surgery (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the most gentle and advanced laser vision correction option available today. Instead of creating a traditional corneal flap like LASIK, SMILE uses a single, microscopic opening to reshape your cornea from the inside. Performed exclusively with our state-of-the-art Zeiss VisuMax laser, this revolutionary, minimally invasive approach corrects your vision while leaving the surface of your eye largely untouched. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, SMILE is performed by Dr. Amit Chokshi and Dr. S. Akbar Hasan — fellowship-trained refractive surgeons with over 24,000 procedures combined.

Smile Center
Are You a Candidate for SMILE

The Benefits of a Flapless Procedure

Because SMILE laser eye surgery does not require a corneal flap, it offers unique advantages that provide peace of mind and a highly comfortable healing process:

  • Minimally Invasive: The microscopic incision heals quickly and naturally.
  • Reduced Dry Eye: By preserving more of the corneal surface nerves, SMILE significantly lowers the risk of post-operative dry eye symptoms.
  • Preserved Corneal Strength: The flap-free approach maintains the structural integrity and biomechanical strength of your eye.
  • Natural Feeling: Many patients report a highly comfortable experience both during the procedure and throughout recovery.
  • Perfect for Active Lifestyles: With no flap to worry about, athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and military personnel can return to their demanding routines with total confidence.

Are You a Candidate for SMILE?

While LASIK is an excellent option for many, SMILE laser eye surgery is specifically ideal for patients with mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia), with or without astigmatism. It is highly recommended for individuals who have been told they have drier eyes, those with slightly thinner corneas, or anyone who simply prefers a flap-free approach to vision correction. During your comprehensive eye examination, Dr. Chokshi or Dr. Hasan will map your corneas to determine if SMILE is the safest and most effective option for your unique eyes. SMILE pricing is available during your consultation. 0% financing through CareCredit is available for qualified patients over 24 months.
Get SMILE Laser Eye Surgery in Jacksonville FL
SMILE laser eye surgery in Jacksonville

Advanced Technology You Can Trust

At Florida Eye Custom Vision, your safety and results are our highest priorities. We are proud to bring this revolutionary procedure to Jacksonville using the Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond laser — the only laser in the world capable of performing SMILE, and the same system we use for blade-free LASIK flap creation. One platform. Two of the most advanced vision correction procedures available today. This technology offers unparalleled precision, ensuring a smooth, quiet, and virtually painless experience from start to finish.

SMILE FAQs

Reviewed by Dr. Amit Chokshi and Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, board-certified refractive surgeons at Florida Eye Custom Vision.

What is SMILE eye surgery and how does it work?
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a flapless laser vision correction procedure available at Florida Eye Custom Vision in Jacksonville, FL. Rather than cutting a corneal flap like LASIK, the Zeiss VisuMax laser creates a small disc of corneal tissue — called a lenticule — entirely inside the eye. The surgeon then removes this lenticule through a tiny 2–4mm incision, reshaping the cornea and correcting your vision. No flap is ever created. The entire laser portion of the procedure takes less than 30 seconds per eye, and most patients achieve clear vision within 24 hours.
Schedule a Free SMILE Consultation
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 past year. You need adequate corneal thickness and healthy eyes free from conditions such as keratoconus. SMILE is especially well suited for patients with dry eye concerns, active lifestyles, or contact sports involvement — because no corneal flap means no flap-related risk. Patients who are farsighted are not candidates for SMILE; alternatives such as LASIK or Custom Lens Replacement may be appropriate. The only way to know for certain is a comprehensive evaluation.
Custom Lens Replacement
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— Dr. Amit Chokshi, MD & Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, MD, Florida Eye Custom Vision

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 SMILE preserves significantly more corneal nerve fibers — studies show roughly 80% more nerve fiber preservation compared to LASIK — which is why SMILE patients typically experience less post-operative dry eye. SMILE also offers greater corneal biomechanical stability, making it the preferred option for athletes and physically active patients. LASIK, by contrast, corrects both nearsightedness and farsightedness, while SMILE currently treats nearsightedness and astigmatism only. Our surgeons perform both and will recommend the procedure best suited to your individual eyes.
LASIK
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 under 30 seconds per eye. Some patients experience light sensitivity or a slight foreign body sensation for a few hours afterward, which typically resolves by the following morning. Over-the-counter comfort drops are usually all that’s needed. The absence of a corneal flap also means there is less nerve disruption overall, which contributes to a more comfortable recovery compared to LASIK for many patients.
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. We recommend taking the day of surgery and the following day off. You can return to desk work and screen use within 1–2 days, resume light exercise within a week, and contact sports within 4 weeks. Because SMILE creates no corneal flap, there is no risk of flap displacement during recovery — an advantage for active patients. Vision continues to sharpen and stabilize over the first 2–4 weeks. Your care team at Florida Eye Custom Vision will guide you through every step.

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. As with any surgical procedure, risks exist: temporary dry eye symptoms, halos, glare, or mild under-correction during the healing period. Serious complications are rare. Because SMILE eliminates the corneal flap entirely, flap-related complications — which account for a meaningful percentage of LASIK adverse events — are not possible with SMILE. Our team includes Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, MD, who spent 10 years as Director of Laser Vision Correction at Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Amit Chokshi, MD, fellowship-trained at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Combined, our surgeons have performed more than 24,000 refractive procedures.

— Dr. Amit Chokshi, MD & Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, MD, Florida Eye Custom Vision

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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 no risk of flap displacement from a blow to the head, physical contact, or water exposure — a risk that persists indefinitely after LASIK. SMILE also preserves more of the cornea’s structural integrity, which matters for long-term biomechanical stability. Naval Hospital Jacksonville adopted SMILE for eligible active-duty service members for precisely these reasons. If you play competitive sports, train regularly, or have a physically demanding career, SMILE may be the right choice for your vision correction at Florida Eye Custom Vision.
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 all follow-up care. No contact lens or glasses costs afterward. CareCredit 0% financing is available over 24 months, which works out to approximately $248 per month. SMILE is not covered by standard vision insurance, but FSA and HSA funds can be applied. Very few Florida eye surgery practices publish SMILE pricing, so we want to be straightforward: the cost is comparable to LASIK and, for the right candidate, represents a lifetime investment in clearer, more comfortable vision.
CareCredit 0% financing
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 fewer of these nerves. Clinical studies consistently show that SMILE patients experience significantly lower rates and severity of post-operative dry eye compared to LASIK patients. For patients who already have borderline dry eye, heavy screen use, or work in air-conditioned environments — all common in Jacksonville — this difference can be clinically meaningful. During your evaluation, our team assesses your tear film and corneal nerve health to help determine whether SMILE or LASIK is the better fit for your eyes specifically.
LASIK
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. The VisuMax creates the lenticule and the small incision with exceptional precision, using low suction pressure that patients find more comfortable than older laser systems. For patients who require additional customization, our practice is one of only approximately 30 in the United States equipped with WaveLight Plus technology, which maps 100,000 data points across the corneal surface to build an ultra-precise 3D treatment plan. This level of diagnostic and treatment precision is a meaningful differentiator beyond what most SMILE practices offer.
WaveLight Plus
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 office is located at 75 Jaidev Rd, St. Johns, FL 32259, conveniently accessible from the Mandarin and St. Johns areas of Jacksonville. To find out whether you are a SMILE candidate, call us at (904) 268-3937 or schedule your complimentary consultation online. Our surgical team includes Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, MD (former Mayo Clinic Director of Laser Vision Correction) and Dr. Amit Chokshi, MD, who together offer LASIK, SMILE, PRK, EVO ICL, and Custom Lens Replacement — every major vision correction option under one roof.
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EVO ICL

Schedule Your SMILE Laser Eye Surgery Consultation

Ready to experience the freedom of clear vision with the most gentle laser technology available? Take the first step toward visual independence without the hassle of glasses or contacts. Contact Florida Eye Custom Vision today to schedule your comprehensive consultation and find out if SMILE laser eye surgery is the right choice for you.

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(904) 268-3937
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