Smile

How SMILE works

The laser shapes a lenticule

The ZEISS VISUMAX femtosecond laser creates a thin, lens-shaped disc of tissue inside your cornea, sized precisely to your prescription.

A tiny incision

The same laser makes a small opening of 2 to 3 mm at the edge of the cornea. No large flap is created.

The lenticule is removed

Dr. Benjamin removes the disc through the incision. Removing it reshapes your cornea and corrects your vision.

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Who SMILE is for

SMILE is FDA-approved for adults 22 and older whose prescription has been stable for at least a year. Your consultation confirms whether your corneas are suited to it.

Nearsightedness

Treatment range

−1.00 to −10.00 D

Astigmatism

Treatment range

Up to 3.00 D, with nearsightedness

Prescription higher than that, or corneas too thin for laser correction? EVO ICL may be the better choice.

Why patients choose smile

No flap

With no corneal flap, there's no flap that can shift after surgery, a reassurance for athletes and anyone with an active lifestyle.

Small incision

Treatment happens through an opening of just a few millimeters, rather than a flap cut around most of the cornea.

Gentler on dry eye

Fewer corneal nerves are disturbed than with LASIK, and studies report fewer dry eye symptoms in the months after surgery.

One laser, start to finish

The entire correction is performed by a single ZEISS femtosecond laser.

Quick recovery

Most patients return to work and normal activities within a few days.

Corrects astigmatism

Approved for nearsightedness with up to 3.00 D of astigmatism.

88%

saw 20/20 or better without glasses at six months*

8M+

eyes treated with SMILE worldwide*

*20/20 figure from the U.S. FDA clinical study of SMILE for nearsightedness (328 eyes evaluated at six months). Worldwide procedure count reported by ZEISS.

SMILE, LASIK or PRK?

We perform all three, plus EVO ICL. During your consultation we examine and scan your corneas, evaluate your eyes for dryness and check the stability of your prescription, then recommend the procedure that fits.

	SMILE	LASIK	PRK
Flap	None	Yes	None
Opening in the cornea	2–3 mm incision	Flap around most of the cornea	Surface layer removed
Lasers used	One	Two	One
Recovery	A few days	Fastest, often next day	Slowest, about a week or more
Dry eye after surgery	Less than LASIK	Most common	Less than LASIK
Treats farsightedness	No	Yes	Yes

What to expect

Step 1

Consultation

A complete eye exam, corneal mapping and dry eye evaluation to confirm you're a candidate.

Step 2

Procedure day

Numbing drops keep you comfortable. The laser portion takes under a minute per eye, and you're awake throughout.

Step 3

Rest and recover

Go home to rest. Vision improves quickly over the first days as your eyes heal.

Step 4

Follow-up

Scheduled visits with Dr. Benjamin to check your healing and your vision.

Who is your doctor?

Arthur Benjamin, MD

Board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Benjamin Eye Institute, practicing in West Hollywood since 1998. Dr. Benjamin is more than an experienced refractive surgeon: he is an expert cataract and lens-based surgeon, which is exactly the skill set ICL surgery demands.

Clinical faculty

Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA

Trained at

Duke Medical School; residency at Jules Stein

In practice

West Hollywood, since 1998

5 reasons to choose Dr. Benjamin ›

What our patients say

Benjamin Eye Institute | Ophthalmologist Cataract LASIK experts

4.9

Based on 428 reviews

review us on

Jerome Gary

1 week ago

Doctor Benjamin and his highly competent staff are the best. My wife and I have been patients for 15 years and have had several very successful surgeries. We have moved to New York but still come to LA to see him.

David Lisonbee

2 weeks ago

Great staff, great doctor, nice facility!

Jorge Nuñez

3 weeks ago

Been coming here for years and I get taken care of.

Joyce Linden

3 weeks ago

Very thorough examination. All staff and assistants are patient and caring. Dr. Benjamin is a superb opthalmologist!!

Hi-Fi Five

4 weeks ago

Dr. Benjamin spends a lot of time with each of his patients. The staff is extremely professional and friendly to interact with.

1 month ago

1 month ago

1 month ago

1 month ago

Everyone is always pleasant and kind and attentive. Focused and on schedule.

Magaly Del Pozo

4 months ago

Upon searching on line for an ophthalmologist in network with my medical plan, I came across Dr Arthur Benjamin Eye Institute | Ophthalmologist Cataract LASIK experts with excellent reviews. I needed a cataract surgery right away because I didn’t meet California’s requirements for driving and my expired driver’s license was extended until July 2 pending resolution of my left eye issue. I was able to get an appointment for Jun 8 with Dr Benjamin. Dr Benjamin was so gracious to schedule the cataract surgery for my left eye right away so I had it on June 25th, which was very successful. It has been only 4 days after the surgery but I am seeing clearer with my left (“bad”) eye than with my right eye. I am so thankful to God that I found Dr Benjamin’s Eye Institute. Dr Benjamin is really an expert who thrives for excellence in everything he does and put a lot of attention to details. He even found and corrected a tear on my right eye’s retina to prevent its detachment, which could have caused a major injury of my right eye. The reviews are right, he is an expert ophthalmologist/surgeon with excellent bedside manners. His staff is great. They are very attentive, kind and respectful. They always answer the phone so I didn’t have problems to schedule an appointment and the wait time is minimal. The optometrists do a great job and Rina is just excellent. She was instrumental in making this happen. I recommend this place 100%.

Tommaso Baldridge

4 months ago

Benjamin Eye Institute consistently provides a medical care experience that exceeds my expectations. All staff, from front desk to the highly-skilled technicians, are competent, knowledgable, efficient, professional, and not just courteous and respectful but warm and friendly. The office has state-of-the-art diagnostic and advanced eye care treatment technology. Dr Benjamin is the rare doctor who not only is highly trained and skilled, thoroughly up-to-date on advances in ophthalmology research and treatment techniques, but is patient, respectful, frank and clear in explaining his diagnoses and recommendations regarding various issues I have had with my eyes, including the pros and cons of different procedures and his level of certainty (or uncertainty) about how successful each procedure might be for my specific situation. On top of this, he remembers me as a person, will take a moment to talk philosophically about life, and has a sense of humor and a winning smile.

V J

4 months ago

I have trusted Dr. Benjamin with my eye care for many years and have consistently received outstanding care. He takes the time to thoroughly explain medical conditions and treatment options in detail, and is supported by a wonderful, professional team. Making my first appointment with his office almost 20 years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made after moving to Los Angeles.

Peter Katz

5 months ago

It was amazing experience to visit dr. Benjamin office, like walking in 22 century office. Starting from front office with beautiful, polite staff, true the multitude stage test procedures, you feel like people taking care of you. Finally, doctor is coming with explanation, advice and recommendations, you feel that you are in a right place, you can trust., keeping in mind that it’s your vision, your only two eyes. Left office with a great feeling of satisfaction. Thanks dr. Benjamin and all your staff. Peter Kat

rod Chappell

7 months ago

I have been seeing Dr. Arthur Benjamin off and on since about 2017 and before the covid epidemic. He takes my concerns very seriously, makes great referrals and has very competent, professional and caring support staff and technicians. I have severe open angle glaucoma and have particular sensitivity and side effect reactions to many common prescription drugs used for dilation and glaucoma pressure control. I, also, was having sensitivity to many of the OTC drugs used for dry eyes like the various artificial tears brands and really having problems with the OTC antihistamine eye drops for allergic rhinitis do to sensitivity to type 1 and 2 antihistamines. I never had a problem with him on this particular topic. He believed me within reason. This was a particular problem with some other very good eye MDs who were either not quite buying the sensitivity to so many drugs or did not have time to help sort out the various drugs and different formulas which was kind of discouraging for me. Some of this trial and error was costly on a limited budget He , also, made an excellent referral for what turned out to be gel stent surgery for my good eye. Thus controlling the excess pressure on the retina. He, actually, did a couple of SLTs with laser which does not always work and referred me to glaucoma specialist when necessary. Sometimes like many I actually have difficulty listening to what an MD is trying to tell me but he has had a way of letting me know I need to get a particular thing done based on his education, experience and latest research about what works. He still wants me to periodically check in with the glaucoma specialist because I have severe open angle angle glaucoma but it is ok to check back with him for any serious questions or concerns.Hopefully this has been helpful to anyone reading this. I'm glad he and his staff have been available.

SMILE FAQ

SMILE is FDA-approved for adults 22 and older with nearsightedness from −1.00 to −10.00 D, astigmatism up to 3.00 D, and a prescription that has been stable for at least a year. Your corneal thickness and shape, and the health of your tear film, are confirmed at your consultation.

LASIK creates a flap, lifts it, and reshapes the cornea underneath with a second laser. SMILE uses one laser to shape a thin disc inside the cornea, which is removed through a small incision. There is no flap.

Numbing drops are used, so most patients feel only light pressure. Mild scratchiness or watering for a few hours afterward is common.

Vision usually improves within the first day or two and continues to sharpen over the following weeks. Most patients are back to work and normal activities within a few days.

Not currently in the U.S. SMILE is approved for nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. If you're farsighted, LASIK, PRK or a lens-based procedure may be an option.

Financing is available through CareCredit, and FSA funds can be used. See financing options.

Like any eye surgery, SMILE carries risks, including dry eye, glare and halos, under- or over-correction, and the occasional need for a follow-up treatment. Dr. Benjamin reviews all of them with you before you decide.

SMILE Today

TRUST US, AND YOU WILL GET:

Flapless, keyhole procedure

Accurate and precise diagnosis

Assessment of all your options

How SMILE works

Who SMILE is for

Nearsightedness

Astigmatism

Why patients choose smile

SMILE, LASIK or PRK?

What to expect

Who is your doctor?

What our patients say

SMILE FAQ

SCHEDULE YOURCONSULTATION TODAY!

SMILE

SMILE Today

TRUST US, AND YOU WILL GET:

Flapless, keyhole procedure

Accurate and precise diagnosis

Assessment of all your options

How SMILE works

Who SMILE is for

Nearsightedness

Astigmatism

Why patients choose smile

SMILE, LASIK or PRK?

What to expect

Who is your doctor?

What our patients say

SMILE FAQ

Am I a candidate?

How is SMILE different from LASIK?

Does it hurt?

How soon will I see clearly?

Can SMILE treat farsightedness?

What does it cost?

What are the risks?

SCHEDULE YOURCONSULTATION TODAY!

SCHEDULE YOURCONSULTATION TODAY!