--- title: From LASIK to SMILE to SILK — the evolution of vision correction continues. description: lasik image: https://visionexecutives.com/hubfs/smile%20v%20lasik.png --- [Skip to content](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues#main-content) [![Vision Executives Logo](https://visionexecutives.com/hubfs/Color%20logo%20with%20white%20text.svg)](https://www.visionexecutives.com/) - [About](https://visionexecutives.com/about-us) - Recruitment Services Show submenu for Recruitment Services - [Retained Recruitment](https://visionexecutives.com/retained-recruitment) - [Contingency Recruitment](https://visionexecutives.com/contingency-recruitment) - [Our Candidates](https://visionexecutives.com/our-candidates) - [FREE Bad Hire Calculator](https://visionexecutives.com/bad-hire-calculator) - [FREE Job Survey](https://visionexecutives.com/free-job-survey) - Candidate Services Show submenu for Candidate Services - [Representing You](https://visionexecutives.com/representing-you) - [CV & LinkedIn Writing Service](https://visionexecutives.com/our-packages) - [Our Vacancies](https://visionexecutives.com/vacancies) - News & Insights Show submenu for News & Insights - [Latest News & Articles](https://visionexecutives.com/blog) - [Eyewear & Optics Salary Report](https://visionexecutives.com/eyewear-optical-industry-salary-report) - [Optometrist & Ophthalmologist Salary Report](https://visionexecutives.com/optometrist-ophthalmologist-salary-report) - [Contact](https://visionexecutives.com/contact-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About](https://visionexecutives.com/about-us) - Recruitment Services Show submenu for Recruitment Services - [Retained Recruitment](https://visionexecutives.com/retained-recruitment) - [Contingency Recruitment](https://visionexecutives.com/contingency-recruitment) - [Our Candidates](https://visionexecutives.com/our-candidates) - [FREE Bad Hire Calculator](https://visionexecutives.com/bad-hire-calculator) - [FREE Job Survey](https://visionexecutives.com/free-job-survey) - Candidate Services Show submenu for Candidate Services - [Representing You](https://visionexecutives.com/representing-you) - [CV & LinkedIn Writing Service](https://visionexecutives.com/our-packages) - [Our Vacancies](https://visionexecutives.com/vacancies) - News & Insights Show submenu for News & Insights - [Latest News & Articles](https://visionexecutives.com/blog) - [Eyewear & Optics Salary Report](https://visionexecutives.com/eyewear-optical-industry-salary-report) - [Optometrist & Ophthalmologist Salary Report](https://visionexecutives.com/optometrist-ophthalmologist-salary-report) - [Contact](https://visionexecutives.com/contact-us) - [EYE-INTRO Login](https://vision-executives.i-intro.net/) [EYE-INTRO Login](https://vision-executives.i-intro.net/) # From LASIK to SMILE to SILK — the evolution of vision correction continues. Nov 5, 2025, 4:26:02 PM [Vision Executives](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/author/vision-executives) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues) For over two decades, LASIK — pioneered with excimer and femtosecond lasers from companies like [Alcon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcon/) (WaveLight), [Johnson & Johnson](https://www.linkedin.com/company/johnson-%26-johnson/) Vision (IntraLase), and [Bausch + Lomb](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bausch-%26-lomb/) — has been the gold standard in refractive surgery. By reshaping the cornea beneath a thin flap, LASIK has delivered millions of sharp, predictable outcomes. Yet flap-related risks and post-op dryness have kept innovation moving forward. 👁️ Enter SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) — developed by [ZEISS Group](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeiss/) Meditec and performed exclusively with the VisuMax femtosecond laser — a flapless alternative that removes a tiny lenticule through a 2–4 mm incision. Key benefits: ✅ No corneal flap → stronger biomechanics 💧 Less dry eye, faster nerve recovery ⚡ Smaller incision → quicker healing, less discomfort 🔍 Visual outcomes comparable to LASIK And now, the newest step forward: ✨ SILK (Smooth Incision Lenticule Keratomileusis) — powered by the ELITA femtosecond laser from [Johnson & Johnson](https://www.linkedin.com/company/johnson-%26-johnson/) Vision. Since 2023, 44,000+ eyes have been treated and 200+ surgeons certified worldwide. Surgeons report: Smoother, resistance-free dissections Lower energy use and faster corneal recovery Fewer dry-eye side effects Up to 98% patient satisfaction, with some practices moving entirely away from LASIK As SILK refines what SMILE began — smoother, faster, and even more tissue-friendly — one question remains: 👓 Are we ready to see SILK overtake both LASIK and SMILE as the new mainstream standard in vision correction?   ## Related posts [![](https://visionexecutives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Optical%20Trade%20Show%20with%20Eyewear%20Displays%20and%20Tariff%20Banners.png?height=200&name=Optical%20Trade%20Show%20with%20Eyewear%20Displays%20and%20Tariff%20Banners.png)](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/proposed-u.s.-tariffs-could-reshape-global-optical-supply-chains) ## [Proposed U.S. Tariffs Could Reshape Global Optical Supply Chains](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/proposed-u.s.-tariffs-could-reshape-global-optical-supply-chains) [Vision Executives](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/author/vision-executives) Jun 19, 2026, 3:14:09 PM New Section 301 Tariff Proposals Create Uncertainty Across the Optical Industry [Read more](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/proposed-u.s.-tariffs-could-reshape-global-optical-supply-chains) [![](https://visionexecutives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stem%20Cell%20Transplant.png?height=200&name=Stem%20Cell%20Transplant.png)](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/stem-cell-transplant-shows-promise-in-restoring-vision-for-corneal-damage-patients) ## [Stem Cell Transplant Shows Promise in Restoring Vision for Corneal Damage Patients](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/stem-cell-transplant-shows-promise-in-restoring-vision-for-corneal-damage-patients) [Vision Executives](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/author/vision-executives) Nov 27, 2024, 4:12:15 PM 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠... [Read more](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/stem-cell-transplant-shows-promise-in-restoring-vision-for-corneal-damage-patients) [![](https://visionexecutives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-03-15%20090458.png?height=200&name=Screenshot%202024-03-15%20090458.png)](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/the-us-vision-council-2023-stats) ## [The US Vision Council 2023 Stats](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/the-us-vision-council-2023-stats) [Vision Executives](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/author/vision-executives) Mar 15, 2024, 9:28:27 AM 📈 Some interesting stats about the US Vision Care industry for 2023 from theThe Vision Council🔥 [Read more](https://visionexecutives.com/blog/the-us-vision-council-2023-stats) [![Vision Executives Logo](https://visionexecutives.com/hubfs/Color%20logo%20with%20white%20text.svg "Vision Executives Logo")](https://visionexecutives.com/) Vision Executives International Ltd HUB26 Hunsworth Lane Cleckheaton BD19 4LN ​United Kingdom   [   +44 (0) 113490 0340](tel:4401134900340) [mailto:info@visionexecutives.com](mailto:info@visionexecutives.com)   [info@visionexecutives.com](mailto:info@visionexecutives.com)   [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vision-executives/?originalSubdomain=uk) - **Quick Links** - [Home](https://visionexecutives.com) - [About](https://visionexecutives.com/about-us) - [News & Insights](https://visionexecutives.com/blog) - [Contact us](https://visionexecutives.com/contact-us) - [Vacancies](https://visionexecutives.com/vacancies) - [Our Candidates](https://visionexecutives.com/our-candidates) - [Bad Hire Calculator](https://visionexecutives.com/bad-hire-calculator) - [FREE Job Survey](https://visionexecutives.com/free-job-survey) - EYE-INTRO Login - **Services** - [Retained Recruitment](https://visionexecutives.com/retained-recruitment) - [Contingency Recruitment](https://visionexecutives.com/contingency-recruitment) - [Representing You](https://visionexecutives.com/representing-you) - [CV & LinkedIn Writing Service](https://visionexecutives.com/our-packages) --- Website designed by [Xtra Mile Marketing](https://www.xtramilemarketing.co.uk/) Copyright © 2026, Vision Executives ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Vision Executives", "url" : "https://visionexecutives.com/blog/author/vision-executives" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-05T16:26:02.417Z", "datePublished" : "2025-11-05T16:26:02.000Z", "headline" : "From LASIK to SMILE to SILK — the evolution of vision correction continues.", "image" : [ "https://visionexecutives.com/hubfs/smile%20v%20lasik.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://visionexecutives.com/blog/from-lasik-to-smile-to-silk-the-evolution-of-vision-correction-continues", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://visionexecutives.com/hubfs/Globals/vision%20executives%20logo.png" }, "name" : "Vision Executives" } } ```