When considering laser vision correction with SMILE Pro, the most fundamental qualifying questions involve your age and prescription stability. Dr. Mohamed El Naggar emphasizes strict adherence to these medical criteria to guarantee optimal long-term vision clarity.
1. Minimum Age Requirement
The baseline age requirement for SMILE Pro is 18 years old. Prior to age 18, the eye continues to develop, meaning your refractive error may still shift naturally over time.
2. Refractive Prescription Stability
A stable prescription is crucial. Your optical refraction must remain unchanged (with no change greater than 0.50 diopters) for at least 12 consecutive months prior to undergoing SMILE Pro.
3. Upper Age Limits and Presbyopia
There is no strict upper age limit for SMILE Pro, provided the eyes are healthy and free from conditions like cataracts or severe dry eye syndrome. However, patients over 40 should discuss age-related reading vision adjustments (Presbyopia) during their clinical assessment.
Additional Qualifying Parameters:
- Adequate corneal thickness and normal corneal topography map.
- No active ocular infections or systemic autoimmune conditions affecting healing.
- Discontinuing soft contact lens wear at least 7 days prior to diagnostic imaging.