LASIK, SMILE, Touchless Laser or Femto-LASIK: Which Is Right for Your Eyes?
LASIK, Femto-LASIK, SMILE and Touchless Trans-PRK all correct glasses power by reshaping the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, with a laser. They differ in how the cornea is treated: under a flap, through a small incision, or on the surface. That changes recovery, comfort and who is suitable, so the right choice depends on a detailed pre-surgery eye work-up.
Not sure which laser option suits you? Book a LASIK/SMILE suitability check with Dr. Neha Chandrakar at her clinic in Greater Kailash-1.
Clinic: Second floor, S-35, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi, Delhi 110048
The Four Options in Plain Words
LASIK
In LASIK, the surgeon makes a thin flap on the front of the cornea, folds it back, and uses an excimer laser to reshape the tissue underneath. The flap is then laid back, where it settles without stitches. In classic LASIK the flap is made with a microkeratome, a precise blade instrument.
Femto-LASIK (Bladeless LASIK)
Femto-LASIK, also called bladeless LASIK, is LASIK in which the flap is made with a femtosecond laser instead of a blade. The reshaping step is the same, so it is a type of LASIK rather than a separate procedure. On this website it is called I-LASIK.
Contoura Vision is a form of LASIK planned on a detailed map of the cornea's surface (topography-guided LASIK).
SMILE (ReLEx SMILE)
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, also known as ReLEx SMILE) uses a femtosecond laser to shape a thin disc of tissue, called a lenticule, inside the cornea. The surgeon removes it through a small opening a few millimetres long. There is no flap, and removing the lenticule changes the cornea's shape to correct the power.
SILK (Smooth Incision Lenticular Keratomileusis) works on the same principle as SMILE: a thin disc of tissue is shaped inside the cornea and removed through a small incision, with no flap.
Touchless Trans-PRK ("Touchless" or "No-Touch" Laser)
Many patients search for "touchless" or "no-touch" LASIK. This usually means Touchless Trans-PRK, and it is not actually LASIK. It is a surface treatment: the excimer laser removes the thin outer skin of the cornea (the epithelium) and reshapes the cornea beneath it in one step, with no flap, no cut and no instrument touching the cornea.
A soft bandage contact lens is usually placed for a few days while the outer skin grows back, so recovery is slower and the first few days are more uncomfortable than with LASIK or SMILE. Conventional PRK is similar, but the outer skin is first removed by hand or with a mild alcohol solution.
For more on LASIK itself, see LASIK surgery in South Delhi.
LASIK vs SMILE vs Touchless vs Femto-LASIK: Side by Side
This is the general pattern. Your own results depend on your eyes, your power and your work-up.
| LASIK (blade / microkeratome) | Femto-LASIK (bladeless LASIK, I-LASIK) | SMILE (ReLEx SMILE) | Touchless Trans-PRK ("no-touch") | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Blade-made flap; laser reshapes the cornea under it | Laser-made flap; laser reshapes the cornea under it | Laser shapes a thin disc inside the cornea, removed through a small incision | Laser removes the outer skin and reshapes the surface in one step |
| Flap | Yes | Yes | No; small incision | No flap and no incision |
| Blade | Yes | No | No | No; no instrument touches the cornea |
| Typical recovery to clear vision | About 1 day | About 1 day | 1 to 3 days | 3 to 7 days |
| Discomfort in the first days | Usually mild watering and grittiness | Usually mild watering and grittiness | Usually mild | More: soreness, watering and light sensitivity for the first few days |
| Dry-eye tendency | Temporary dryness is common | Temporary dryness is common | Temporary dryness; usually less than with LASIK | Temporary dryness; usually less than with LASIK once healed |
| Suited to thin corneas? | Less suited; the flap uses up thickness | Less suited, for the same reason | Sometimes; depends on the work-up | Often considered, as there is no flap |
| Contact sports and uniformed services | Less preferred; a hard knock can, rarely, shift the flap | Less preferred, for the same reason | Often preferred; no flap | Often preferred; no flap |
| Power range it treats | Most low to moderate powers; higher powers depend on your cornea and work-up | Most low to moderate powers; higher powers depend on your cornea and work-up | Most low to moderate short-sightedness and astigmatism; higher powers depend on your cornea and work-up | Most low to moderate powers; higher powers depend on your cornea and work-up |
| Cost band | Usually among the lower-cost options | Usually higher than blade LASIK | Usually the highest of the four | Usually lower than SMILE and Femto-LASIK |
Which Option Suits Which Person?
- Higher power. Higher powers use up more corneal thickness, so the choice depends on how thick your cornea is. Femto-LASIK or SMILE may be options. For very high powers, or a cornea too thin for laser, ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) may be suggested: a thin lens placed inside the eye, in front of your natural lens, with no corneal tissue removed.
- Thin or irregular cornea. Surface treatment such as Trans-PRK is often considered because no flap is made. If the cornea is too thin for any laser option, ICL may be considered instead.
- Dry eye. Existing dry eye is usually treated before any laser procedure, and a no-flap option may be preferred. See dry eye treatment in Delhi.
- Contact sports, defence or police aspirants. No-flap options (SMILE, Trans-PRK) are often preferred because there is no flap to shift after a hard knock. Rules differ between services and change over time, so check the current official rules for the service you're applying to. No procedure guarantees eligibility.
- Fastest return to work. LASIK, Femto-LASIK and SMILE usually let you return to desk work sooner than Trans-PRK.
These are general patterns. Your work-up decides which option, if any, suits you.
Who Is Not a Candidate?
Laser vision correction may not be advised if you:
- are under 18
- have had a change in glasses power in the last 1 year
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have keratoconus (a thinning, cone-shaped cornea) or a cornea that is too thin or irregular on testing
- have uncontrolled diabetes or certain autoimmune conditions
- have an active eye infection or inflammation
- have severe dry eye that has not been treated yet
- have some other eye conditions, which the work-up checks for
Tests Before Surgery, Including the Pentacam
What is a Pentacam?
A Pentacam is a corneal mapping scan. A rotating camera takes many pictures of the front of the eye in a few seconds and builds a 3D map of the cornea's shape and thickness. It helps show whether your cornea is thick and regular enough for laser, and can pick up early keratoconus, in which laser is usually not advised.
The pre-surgery work-up at the clinic includes:
- Pentacam corneal mapping
- Corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry)
- A detailed check of your glasses power, including with dilating drops
- A tear film and dry eye check
- Pupil size measurement
- A dilated check of the retina at the back of the eye
You may be asked to stop wearing contact lenses for some days before these tests, because lenses can change the shape of the cornea for a while.
Bladeless or Touchless Doesn't Mean Risk-Free
All four are surgery, and every surgery has some risk. "Bladeless" or "touchless" describes how the cornea is treated, not how safe a procedure is. Before you decide, your surgeon should explain the possible side effects of the option suggested for you, such as dryness, glare or halos around lights at night, and the chance of needing a touch-up.
Questions to Ask at Your Suitability Check
It helps to go in with a few questions written down. You might ask:
- Which option do you suggest for my eyes, and why?
- Is my cornea thick and regular enough, based on my scans?
- How long will I need off work, and when can I drive, swim or exercise again?
- What side effects are possible with this option, and how are they handled?
- What happens if I need a touch-up later?
- What is the total cost, and what does it include: tests, the procedure, follow-up visits and drops?
Procedures Dr. Neha Chandrakar Performs
Dr. Neha Chandrakar sees patients for consultation and the pre-surgery work-up at her clinic in Greater Kailash-1. The procedures she performs are: SMILE, LASIK, I-LASIK (Femto-LASIK / bladeless LASIK), PRK, Touchless Trans-PRK, Contoura Vision, SILK and ICL.
If the work-up shows that laser vision correction isn't right for your eyes, she will tell you, and explain the other options, including staying with glasses or contact lenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, LASIK or SMILE?
Neither is better for everyone. Both reshape the cornea with a laser. SMILE has no flap, which can suit people with mild dry eye or an active lifestyle, while LASIK, including Femto-LASIK, can treat a wider range of prescriptions. The right choice depends on your eye work-up.
What is touchless laser eye surgery?
"Touchless" or "no-touch" laser usually means Touchless Trans-PRK. It is a surface laser treatment, not LASIK: there is no flap or cut, and no instrument touches the cornea. Recovery is slower and the first few days are more uncomfortable than with LASIK or SMILE.
Is Femto-LASIK the same as bladeless LASIK?
Yes. Femto-LASIK and bladeless LASIK both mean LASIK in which the flap is made with a femtosecond laser instead of a blade. On this website it is called I-LASIK.
Which has the fastest recovery?
LASIK, Femto-LASIK and SMILE usually allow the quickest return to clear vision and desk work, typically within 1 to 3 days. Touchless Trans-PRK takes longer, usually about 5 to 7 days, because the outer skin of the cornea needs to grow back.
Is laser eye surgery permanent?
The correction is long-lasting, but laser can't stop your eyes from ageing. Most people need reading glasses from their 40s, and a small number of people need a touch-up later.
What is the age limit for LASIK or SMILE?
The usual minimum age is 18, once your glasses power has been stable for at least 1 year. There is no fixed upper age, but after about 40 you will probably still need reading glasses, and an early cataract may point to a different option.
What is a Pentacam test and why is it needed?
A Pentacam is a corneal mapping scan. A rotating camera takes many pictures of the front of the eye in a few seconds and builds a 3D map of the cornea's shape and thickness. It helps show whether your cornea is thick and regular enough for laser, and can pick up early keratoconus, in which laser is usually not advised. It is part of the pre-surgery work-up.
How much does laser eye surgery cost in Delhi?
The cost depends on the procedure and your work-up, and you'll get a clear quote at your consultation. As a general guide, SMILE and Femto-LASIK usually cost more than surface treatments such as Trans-PRK.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Neha Chandrakar, MBBS, DNB (Ophthalmology), FAICO, 10 Oct 2026
Why Choose Dr. Neha?
Elite credentials, advanced tech, and patient-first care in one place.
Elite Credentials
FAICO certified and recognized by the IMA for distinguished service.
Advanced Technology
Trained on latest ophthalmology and refractive care platforms.
Specialized Expertise
Precision vision correction and aesthetic eye surgery in one practice.
Patient-Centric Care
Personalized plans crafted around your lifestyle and eye health needs.
Book a LASIK/SMILE Suitability Check in Greater Kailash-1
A suitability check tells you whether laser vision correction is right for your eyes and, if so, which option. Call or WhatsApp the clinic to book, or see all clinic details on our contact page.
Call +919205735991 WhatsApp Book Suitability Check