When it comes to getting rid of specs, two popular names often pop up, CustomEyes AI LASIK and SMILE surgery. But with all the hype around both, it’s natural to feel confused. Which one is safer? Which gives better results? And most importantly, which one is right for your eyes?
Both procedures offer permanent specs removal and sharper vision, but they work differently. While SMILE is known for being flapless and minimally invasive, CustomEyes brings the power of AI and personalised mapping into the picture.
In this blog, we’ll break it down in the simplest way possible, covering safety, comfort, technology, cost, and who should choose what — so you can make an informed decision.
Contents
What Is SMILE Eye Surgery and How Does It Work?
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive laser eye surgery designed to correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness). It’s one of the newer alternatives to traditional LASIK and differs significantly in its approach.
Flap-Free Procedure
Unlike traditional LASIK, which creates a flap on the cornea, SMILE does not involve any flap creation. Instead, a femtosecond laser is used to carve out a small disc-shaped tissue (called a lenticule) inside the cornea. This lenticule is then removed through a tiny incision, typically around 2-4 mm wide. By removing the lenticule, the shape of the cornea changes, which helps correct your vision.
What Is CustomEyes AI LASIK and What Makes It Different?
CustomEyes AI LASIK is an advanced laser vision correction procedure that uses the Schwind AMARIS laser system along with AI-powered planning tools. It’s designed to offer a more personalized and precise treatment experience compared to traditional or lenticule-based surgeries like SMILE.
This technique uses real-time 7D eye tracking to adjust for every micro-movement of the eye during surgery, including rotational shifts. This means better targeting and more accurate reshaping of the cornea.
With the help of Foresight AI, a virtual 3D model of your eye is created even before the procedure. This simulation predicts how your vision will look post-surgery and helps your surgeon plan accordingly. The technology maps over 100,000 points on the cornea, identifying minor surface irregularities and visual distortions for correction.
Unlike SMILE, which requires the removal of a lenticule through a small incision, CustomEyes AI is a completely touchless, flapless, and bladeless procedure. It uses ultra-precise laser pulses to smooth the corneal surface without any manual intervention.
The result is a safer, faster, and more customized procedure — often providing clearer-than-normal vision with minimal recovery time.
Which One Is Safer?
When choosing between CustomEyes AI LASIK and SMILE, safety is a major factor—especially for those concerned about long-term eye health. Here’s a clear comparison:
| Safety Factors | CustomEyes AI LASIK | SMILE |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Approach | 100% touchless, bladeless, flapless | Lenticule creation can sometimes weaken the cornea |
| Precision & Control | Uses 7D eye tracking + AI to follow all eye movements in real time | 2D tracking only, limited adjustment during surgery |
| Manual Intervention | No manual steps involved—AI does all planning and delivery | Surgeon manually removes lenticule, which adds room for error |
| Corneal Stability | Preserves corneal strength with minimum tissue removal | Lenticule creation can sometimes weaken cornea |
| Risk of Complications | Very low – due to precise, customized correction | Possibility of lenticule issues, suction loss, or black spots |
| Suitability for Thin Corneas | Safe and recommended due to low-pressure, non-invasive method | Not ideal, especially in cases with thin or irregular corneas |
- CustomEyes AI LASIK offers a safer, more controlled procedure, especially for those with delicate eye conditions or corneal irregularities.
- SMILE is minimally invasive and flapless, but still involves some manual steps that can lead to rare complications.
So, if you’re looking for the safest possible technology with maximum control and minimal risk, CustomEyes AI LASIK is the more advanced and reliable option.
Cost Comparison: Is CustomEyes Worth It?
When choosing an eye surgery, cost is often one of the biggest deciding factors. Let’s take a look at how CustomEyes AI LASIK compares to SMILE in terms of pricing:
| Technology | Cost (Per Eye) |
|---|---|
| SMILE | ₹65,000 |
| CustomEyes Foresight | ₹47,000 (at EyeMantra) |
Why Is SMILE More Expensive?
While SMILE is a flapless and bladeless procedure, its high cost (₹65,000 per eye) is often linked to brand association and newer lenticule technology. However, this doesn’t always guarantee better results or safety for everyone.
What Makes CustomEyes More Valuable for Money?
Even though CustomEyes involves AI-powered precision, foresight simulation, 7D eye tracking, and ultra-safe tech, it is often assumed to be more expensive. And in many hospitals, it actually is — with prices going as high as ₹1,00,000 per eye.
But here’s the good news:
At EyeMantra, CustomEyes AI LASIK is available at just ₹47,000 per eye!
That means you’re getting world-class, future-ready vision correction at a significantly more budget-friendly cost — better results, more safety, and still easy on the pocket.
Can People with Thin Corneas Choose These Options?
Yes, but with caution. If you have thin corneas, choosing the right laser eye surgery becomes crucial — because not all procedures are safe in such cases.
While SMILE is known to be flapless and bladeless, it still requires the removal of a disc-shaped lenticule from the cornea. This process cuts deeper into the corneal layers and may not be safe for those with thin or structurally weak corneas.
- Minimum corneal thickness requirement: ~500 microns
- Risk involved: In patients with thinner corneas, SMILE can increase the risk of corneal ectasia (progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea)
On the other hand, CustomEyes ForeSight AI is designed keeping safety in mind, especially for those with corneal limitations.
- It uses ultra-precise excimer laser pulses, removing minimal corneal tissue
- It includes AI-guided mapping, which helps determine how much tissue should be removed and where, ensuring structural safety
- No cuts, no flaps, and no lenticule creation — making it more suited for mild to moderate thin cornea cases
Many patients who are ineligible for SMILE or traditional LASIK have safely undergone CustomEyes AI LASIK at EyeMantra.
Conclusion
If you’re someone with specs or contact lenses looking for permanent vision correction, both SMILE and CustomEyes AI LASIK may seem like great options. Whether you choose SMILE for its flapless approach, or opt for CustomEyes for its AI-powered precision and better long-term results, you deserve a solution tailored to your eyes.
Still unsure which procedure is right for you? Let our experts at EyeMantra guide you.
Call us at +91 9711116605 and book your FREE LASIK consultation today.
Medically Reviewed By
Senior Eye Surgeon | LASIK, SMILE & Cataract Specialist
