SMILE® PRO laser eye treatment
SMILE® PRO is an innovative, minimally invasive eye‑laser technology with life‑changing results. Gentle laser treatment in under 10 seconds!
SMILE® PRO explained briefly
The SMILE PRO procedure stands for “Small Incision Lenticule Extraction” and is a minimally invasive laser technique to correct refractive errors. A small lenticule — a lens-shaped disc of tissue — is precisely created within the cornea by the laser and then extracted through a tiny incision, largely preserving the corneal structure. This method offers a fast recovery and minimal pain for the patient.
The SMILE PRO procedure enables laser correction without creating a corneal flap and is therefore minimally invasive: where a roughly 20 mm incision was previously required, a small incision of only 2 to 3 mm is now sufficient.
Until now, with refractive corrections such as Femto‑LASIK, a thin layer of corneal tissue was usually lifted and folded back like a lid (“flap”) to allow ablation of the underlying tissue.
The SMILE PRO procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in our eye laser centres in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.
Many patients are surprised at how quickly this laser procedure works and that they hardly feel anything — the small incision itself takes only about 10 seconds. The uncomplicated, fast and virtually painless method is also suitable for patients with high refractive errors. The VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser from ZEISS is used for the procedure.
The benefits of SMILE PRO
No flap cut
- Surgery is performed without a flap incision, so a subsequent displacement of the corneal flap is excluded
- The cornea’s biomechanical stability is therefore barely affected, and the nerve fibres that regulate tear production remain almost intact with SMILE PRO
- This operation is thus minimally invasive
Counteracting dry eyes with SMILE PRO
- The procedure can also be performed in patients with dry eyes or a thin corneal layer
- The issue of dry eyes and the risk of corneal thinning are thus reduced after the operation
Quick procedure, more comfort
- The procedure is performed in a single treatment step, so there is no need to change treatment stations; the patient benefits from a shorter treatment time and greater comfort during correction
- Surgery with the SMILE eye laser allows a more precise assessment of expected results
- Virtually painless, noiseless and odourless method
- The procedure is computer‑guided, and only about 10 seconds are needed for the incision
- The eye is stabilised during treatment with a specially shaped contact glass — again very gentle
Back to a better quality of life in 4 steps
Start the suitability test
Take our non-binding online suitability test today to find out which laser procedure is right for you.
Preliminary examinations
Visit us in Stuttgart or Karlsruhe for a preliminary examination. Together we’ll find the ideal laser eye treatment for you.
Laser eye surgery
The treatment is carried out by our experienced ophthalmologists at the laser eye centre in Stuttgart or Karlsruhe and usually takes only about 20 minutes, depending on the method. Afterwards, you can enjoy your improved vision.
Follow-up
After a few days, you’ll typically have full visual acuity. Follow-up checks take place 1 day, 1 week, and 3 months after treatment.
SMILE® PRO in Stuttgart
At Bányai Neue Augen, the SMILE PRO procedure has been offered since 2023. Enjoy fast and gentle laser eye treatment in central Stuttgart, just a few hundred metres from Stuttgart Central Station.
With SMILE PRO, you can achieve clear vision in just a few minutes in Stuttgart. The SMILE® PRO procedure is the most innovative and advanced method for correcting refractive errors in refractive surgery and places minimal strain on the cornea. The laser application itself takes only about 10 seconds per eye. The SMILE eye‑laser method has already been used successfully millions of times worldwide.
At our eye laser centre in Stuttgart, the SMILE® PRO method is used as the gentlest of all laser eye treatments. Thanks to state‑of‑the‑art technology, patients need not fear pain or a lengthy recovery after laser treatment. Visit us in Stuttgart. The entire team of the laser eye centre under the leadership of Dr. Bányai are experienced specialists in refractive surgery in Germany and offer the innovative SMILE® PRO method. Learn more about eye laser costs.
SMILE® PRO in Karlsruhe
In Karlsruhe, you can have SMILE® PRO at the new Bányai Neue Augen laser eye centre. The innovative procedure has been offered since 2023 and enables fast and gentle laser eye treatment in the heart of Karlsruhe.
With the SMILE® PRO method, we offer the most advanced technology in refractive surgery, which minimises stress on the cornea and takes only about 10 seconds per eye. This method has already proven itself millions of times worldwide and allows our patients a quick recovery and minimal discomfort after treatment.
Our eye laser centre in Karlsruhe adheres to the highest standards in ophthalmology, so you can rely on a comfortable and effective treatment without worrying about pain or lengthy recovery. Book a consultation to learn more. Dr. Bányai and her experienced team are among the German surgeons who offer SMILE® PRO.
SMILE® PRO cost
The SMILE® PRO is a minimally invasive laser method for correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. At Bányai Neue Augen, the cost for this treatment starts at €2,900 per eye. Interest‑free instalment plans are available, starting at about €121 per month per eye.
The following table provides an overview of the application areas of the SMILE® PRO method at Bányai Neue Augen:
| Refractive error | Treatment range | SMILE® PRO cost per eye | Instalments from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearsightedness (myopia) | up to approx. -10 dpt | from €2,900 | from €100/month |
| Farsightedness (hyperopia) | up to approx. +6 dpt | from €2,900 | from €100/month |
| Corneal curvature (astigmatism) | up to approx. 5 dpt | from €2,900 | from €100/month |
Day of laser eye treatment with SMILE® PRO
The SMILE® PRO procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our eye centre in Stuttgart. Many patients are surprised at how quickly the procedure works and that they hardly feel anything — the incision itself takes only about 10 seconds. Even patients with high refractive errors benefit from the uncomplicated, fast and virtually painless treatment and the rapid recovery. The VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser from ZEISS is used for the procedure.
You will receive all the information about the necessary preparations in the days before the procedure and on the day of surgery either here or directly from our eye laser centre.
Please note that you are not allowed to drive immediately after SMILE® PRO treatment. Right after the operation, your new visual experience begins.
As a rule, vision is already much better the next day. After about three days, you will usually have regained your full visual acuity. Nevertheless, you should take care in the period after treatment and avoid rubbing your eyes. Women should refrain from using make‑up for a few days. Pain or a foreign‑body sensation is unlikely with this method, since the laser work is performed inside the cornea. In consultation with your ophthalmologist, specific eye drops may be used for aftercare.
You will also receive detailed post‑operative instructions from Dr. Bányai. In general, no long‑term special protection is required after a SMILE® PRO procedure. A follow‑up examination will check and confirm the treatment result.
Thus, the SMILE® PRO procedure is suitable, for example, for athletes such as swimmers, who can usually resume training a few days after the operation.
Request a non-binding callback now.
Femtosecond laser VisuMax 800 from ZEISS
Having performed the ReLEx SMILE method since 2016, we have offered its further development — the SMILE PRO method — since 2023. This represents the fourth and currently gentlest, most advanced approach to laser eye surgery. For this purpose, we have acquired the VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser from ZEISS, one of the most advanced eye lasers available.
This means our centre in Stuttgart‑Mitte uses only state‑of‑the‑art femtosecond technology, so that alongside competent service and top quality we can offer patients the most modern treatment options for correcting myopia and astigmatism via SMILE surgery. This makes our laser eye centre a leading address for ReLEx SMILE PRO procedures in the greater Stuttgart area and surroundings.
Answers to all your questions about SMILE® PRO
Learn how to achieve visual freedom in moments with this revolutionary eye treatment
SMILE Pro Treatment Steps
1. Step
The SMILE eye laser creates a refractive, thin lenticule and an access incision of between 2 and 3 mm in the intact cornea — nearly independent of environmental conditions or corneal characteristics.
2. Step
The lenticule is removed through the minimally invasive access. It is not necessary for the surgeon to open the cornea with a flap incision. The corneal surface is therefore preserved as much as possible.
3. Step
Removing the lenticule alters the shape of the cornea so that the refractive error is corrected by SMILE PRO.
After SMILE PRO treatment
After the treatment
In the SMILE PRO method, a lens‑shaped disc (a so‑called lenticule) is cut from the cornea and the corneal shape is adjusted accordingly.
After laser eye surgery, a slight foreign‑body sensation as well as burning and watering of the eyes is a normal reaction. Increased light sensitivity may occur during the first days after treatment.
Suitable sunglasses help to relieve these side effects. Initially reduced vision in dusk and darkness is also one of the risks associated with laser eye treatment.
This should progressively improve after about two weeks and return to normal thereafter.
SMILE PRO Results
Even with the conventional SMILE® method, excellent results were achieved when treating corneal curvature (astigmatism). With SMILE PRO, we take an important step further:
SMILE PRO surgery enables comfortable treatment and precise correction of nearsightedness (myopia) even in cases of high refractive error — with unprecedented safety, speed and precision.
SMILE PRO not only delivers particularly fast and gentle results, it can also provide a lasting correction of refractive errors with low risk. For example, flap displacement is excluded for a simple reason: no flap is created. The minimally invasive, very gentle procedure allows for a fast recovery so that patients can quickly return to daily life without vision aids.
Optimising vision to exactly 0 diopters with SMILE PRO cannot be guaranteed for every eye — however, with an average residual of 0.07 diopters per eye it comes very close to perfection. In most cases, the need for contact lenses or glasses can be permanently eliminated after SMILE PRO.
SMILE PRO Risks and Side Effects
Possible side effects with the SMILE eye laser
It is particularly important to follow the eye‑drop regimen exactly. Freshly operated eyes are usually prone to temporary dryness. Only in very rare cases do complications such as corneal haze, swelling or abrasions occur.
These can generally be treated effectively with medication. The probability of a permanent deterioration in vision is extremely low — about 1 in 30,000.
How much does SMILE PRO cost?
The cost of SMILE PRO eye laser treatment can be settled with Dr. Bányai with or without instalment payments. Without instalments, SMILE PRO costs for nearsightedness are around €2,900 per eye. Interest‑free instalment plans for SMILE PRO for myopia start at around €100 per eye per month. You will receive a detailed cost estimate after your examination.
How much does laser eye surgery cost in Stuttgart?
The cost of laser eye surgery in Stuttgart depends on various factors, such as the procedure and the patient’s refractive error or eye condition. Costs usually start from €990 per eye. For newer methods such as SMILE PRO you should expect about €2,900 per eye. Some laser eye centres also offer instalment plans. Statutory health insurers may cover part of the costs if there is a medical indication. It is best to book a consultation to receive a cost estimate and information on payment options.
At what age should I have laser eye surgery?
The timing of laser eye surgery is largely your decision. However, you must be at least 18 years old. Since the eye is still developing during adolescence, surgery before that age is not recommended.
When can I see well again after SMILE PRO?
The SMILE PRO method is the gentlest technique and is associated with a fast recovery. Many patients can see clearly again the day after the operation. Full visual acuity is typically reached within about three weeks.
Reviewed by Doctor-medic Liliana-Iulia Bányai
With over 50,000 successful surgical procedures, the experienced team at Bányai Neue Augen specializes in eye surgery. Thanks to ongoing professional development and training, you can be confident you are in exceptionally competent hands.
Doctor-medic Liliana-Iulia Bányai & Dr. med. Daniel Bányai
