SMILE

Stop Renting &

Own Your Vision™

Today!

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Refuse to let your vision interfere with your lifestyle!

Are you sick of wearing glasses? Do you find glasses and contact lenses are holding you back from doing the things you love and enjoy? Well you are not alone and we can help!


SMILE will let you finally get rid of those glasses once and for all!

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WHAT IS SMILE?

  • SMILE stands for “Small Incision Lenticle Extraction”
  • It the latest 3rd generation form of laser eye surgery
  • Only 1 laser is used in SMILE
  • The laser used in SMILE is the Zeiss Visumax 800 which is the world’s
  • most advanced femtosecond laser
  • The laser part takes less than 10 seconds per eye.
  • The procedure is complete in less than 10 minutes for both eyes
  • The entire treatment is bladeless
  • Each treatment is customised to the patient’s specific eye errors
  • The laser is completely painless
  • The laser creates a small corneal lens (lenticule) which is equivalent to your spectacle error. The lenticule is then removed through a tiny 2mm keyhole incision. The whole procedure is painless and takes less than 5 minutes per eye.
  • Once the lenticule is removed there is rapid healing and because no flap is created flap related complications can never occur.
  • The patient does not hear, feel, see or smell the laser when SMILE is performed. This ensures that the patient is comfortable throughout the whole procedure.
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THE SMILE ADVANTAGE

  • SMILE is extremely accurate
  • Visual recovery is very quick. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a week.
  • The procedure is a keyhole procedure ensuring a painfree and accurate outcome
  • The procedure is flapless
  • The procedure is painless
  • SMILE causes much less dry eye compared to LASIK
  • SMILE is faster than LASIK
  • The cornea is stronger as no flap is created
  • Less stressful procedure as it is flapless, odourless and minimally invasive as a keyhole procedure
  • Patients in contact and combat sports are suitable candidates as no flap is created.
  • SMILE eliminates your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
  • Removes the risk of blindness from contact lens wear.
  • SMILE does not cause any scarring.
  • Almost 100% of patients achieve better than 20/20 vision if the eye has no other abnormalities
  • No blades are used and the whole procedure is performed using LASER technology
  • SMILE can treat can treat a variety of errors including; nearsightedness and astigmatism
  • Due to the higher range of treatments that can be performed with SMILE more people are suitable for SMILE than LASIK
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Common Questions

See some common questions and answers below. Can't find and answer to your question? Get in touch and we'll answer all your questions!

  • Is SMILE Laser eye surger painful?

    No,  the whole procedure is completely painless and is regarded as a much more comfortable experience for a patient in comparison to LASIK.  During the procedure you will feel some mild pressure on the eye only.  Once the procedure is complete you will have a scratchy sensation for a few hours after surgery.  Healing is expected after 1 day and visual recovery takes approximately a week.

  • What happens when I move my eye?

    As we have the most advanced and latest Femtosecond laser, the Zeiss Visumax 800, our laser has eye tracking technology that locks onto your eye prior to any laser being performed.  This ensures that even if you move your eye your laser procedure will be absolutely precise.

  • When can I drive again?

    Almost all patients have legal driving vision without glasses the next day and can drive to their post-operative appointment.  However, after SMILE we usually advise patients that it is the safest to drive at least 3 days after SMILE.

  • What are the limits of SMILE?

    SMILE can treat nearsightedness up to -10 diopters and Astigmatism up to -6 diopters. Farsightedness  cannot be treated by SMILE yet but we expect this to change in 2025 as the technology improves.  It is however crucial that you undergo a suitability test during your consultation where all the parameters of the eye will be measured; especially the corneal thickness which will be the main factor to determine whether you are suitable for SMILE or not.  If you are not suitable for SMILE there are other options that will be discussed during your initial consultation.

  • Do I pay for any enhancement procedures?

    No,  enhancement procedures are covered by Crystal Eye and Laser Centre up to the age of 45 years or until presbyopia or reading vision problems sets in.

  • Does Health Insurance cover SMILE surgery?

    Some health insurance companies does cover SMILE surgery on their top tier plans.  You will have to be on the plan for at least 3 years to be eligible for SMILE surgery.  We recommend that patients contact their insurance company to find out if they are covered.  Crystal Eye and Laser centre is registered with all health funds that provide SMILE surgery cover.

  • Are there any risks to SMILE surgery?

    Yes, any form of laser eye surgery is still surgery and a medical procedure.  However, laser eye surgery is regarded as one of the safest operations in medicine. All possible complications will be discussed during the consultation process. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risk.  Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.

  • How long does SMILE surgery take?

    SMILE surgery takes less than 10 minutes for both eyes to be complete.  The laser parts takes only a few seconds and the rest of the time is utelised removing the lenticle.

  • When will I be able to go back to work?

    We usually suggest going back to work 3 to 7 days after your  SMILE procedure.  We expect healing within 24 hours but we would like to see you on the first day after surgery to make sure all is ok. There is no need to take more than 7 days off work if you decide to undergo SMILE.

  • How long does SMILE laser eye surgery last?

    The effect of SMILE lasts forever but as the eye is a biological structure it can change over time.  The lens inside of the eye has an effect over the SMILE once you are older than 45.  Most SMILE patients will still retain their distance vision but focusing up close will become difficult.  Like most people reading glasses will be needed.  We can however perform PRESBYOND  if you need reading glasses.

  • Do I pay for follow-up consults?

    No, the fees of the SMILE procedure covers all follow-up appointments.

  • Does Medicare cover SMILE surgery?

    No, SMILE laser eye surgery does not fall under the MBS and needs to be self funded.  Some health insurers however do cover SMILE on their top tier plans.

  • When can I wear make-up again?

    We recommend not to wear any make-up for at least 2 weeks after your SMILE procedure.

"SMILE was a game changer. I can now go camping and swimming without worrying about glasses or contact lenses."

By eliminating the need for glasses and contact lenses, SMILE will give you unprecedented freedom to go out and do the things you love. Don't let the fear of your glasses breaking or the hassle of contact lenses hold you back from living life to the fullest!


Safe. Painless. Cost effective. What do you have to lose - except your glasses!


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No more relying on glasses or contact lenses

Gone is the fear of breaking glasses or ripping a contact lens!

Roll out of bed to Crystal clear vision every morning

You know EXACTLY what we are talking about here!

See and be seen naturally

Now there's no frame and lens standing between you and the world!

SMILE IN ACTION

With state-of-the-art technology and world renowned eye surgeons, you can rest assured your eyes are in good hands.


Click play on the video to see what happens during the SMILE procedure. Depending on your prescription this video may be about how long it takes for the treatment! The laser system actively tracks the eye to detect any movement and shuts down instantly for optimum safety.


So if you are sick and tired of wearing glasses we can almost certainly help. To find out more, contact us today to speak to our Patient Care Coordinators.

We are experts &

will give you a clarity of vision you never thought possible!

As leaders in the refractive surgery industry, we can treat the widest range of vision problems.


Been told you aren't suitable for laser eye surgery and you are stuck wearing glasses for the rest of your life? Come talk to us!


We've got the knowledge, skills, and technology you need to throw away those glasses and contact lenses which are holding you back! 

How It Works

1. Contact us

Contact us by phone, email, or via the contact form.

2. Tell us about yourself

Let us get to know a bit about yourself and your lifestyle. 

3. Come in for an evaluation

Based on your eyes and your needs we'll tailor an individual solution. 

4. Get rid of your glasses

In less than 60 seconds per eye you can say goodbye to your glasses forever!

5. ENJOY!

Enjoy the world in perfect clarity!

Meet your laser eye surgeon

Dr Lourens van Zyl of Crystal Eye & Laser Centre

Dr Lourens 

Dr Lourens van Zyl

MBChB, FCOphth, FRANZCO, FRCSI, FEBO, MMed(RefCatSurg)
Cataract & Laser Refractive Surgery

Dr Lourens is the principal opthalmologist at Crystal Eye & Laser Centre. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and completed his Ophthalmology training in Adelaide, South Australia. He holds fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and The European Board of Ophthalmology.


He has special interest in Laser Eye Surgery and advanced Vision Correction surgery including cataracts. He has post graduate fellowships in Advanced Corneal and Anterior segment surgery and Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Following his post graduate fellowships Dr Lourens completed a 1 year post graduate diploma followed by a 3-year Master’s degree in Cataract and Laser Eye Surgery through the University of Sydney.