SMILE eye surgery has steadily gained ground among vision correction options since its U.S. approval, and Portland patients researching the procedure often want to understand how widespread its use has become. Growing adoption can be a useful signal of a procedure's reliability and surgeon familiarity. This article looks at how SMILE's use has expanded, why more surgeons are offering it, and what that trend means for patients today.
Since receiving FDA approval in 2016, SMILE has been adopted by an increasing number of refractive surgeons across the country as familiarity with the procedure has grown. What was once a newer alternative to LASIK has become a more routine part of many practices' procedure offerings, particularly among surgeons who specialize in refractive surgery.
This expansion reflects both growing surgeon experience and accumulating patient outcomes data from a steadily increasing number of procedures performed domestically each year, a trend that shows no signs of slowing as more patients become aware the option exists.
Contact Details:
Tersigni Vision
15150 Bangy Rd Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(971) 362-2020
Website: https://www.tersignivision.com/smile/
Google Site: https://sites.google.com/view/tersignivision/smile-eye-surgery-portland
Google Folder: https://mgyb.co/s/YNvMI
Surgeons have gained confidence in SMILE as more clinical experience and outcomes data have become available, building on the procedure's already substantial international track record. The flapless design and single-laser approach also appeal to surgeons looking to offer patients an alternative to traditional LASIK, particularly for those who don't qualify for it due to corneal thickness or shape.
As more surgeons train in the technique and share outcomes through professional organizations and research, broader adoption naturally follows across the field, reinforcing the cycle of growing experience and confidence.
As SMILE becomes more widely offered, patients gain easier access to a procedure that may not have been available locally just a few years ago. Wider adoption also tends to mean more surgeons with direct, hands-on experience performing the procedure, which can be reassuring for patients evaluating their options and comparing providers. It also reflects a broader acceptance of SMILE as a reliable, mainstream choice rather than a niche alternative reserved for only the most specialized practices.
As more practices offer SMILE and surgeons gain efficiency with the procedure, pricing has generally become more competitive and predictable across the industry. Increased availability also means shorter wait times for consultations and scheduling in many markets, since patients aren't limited to a small handful of providers. This broader access doesn't change the importance of choosing a qualified surgeon, but it does mean patients have more practices to compare when making that choice, which can make the overall research process feel more manageable.
Growing adoption doesn't mean SMILE is the right choice for every patient, since candidacy still depends on individual factors like corneal thickness, shape, and prescription. A procedure's popularity can speak to its overall reliability, but it doesn't replace the need for a personalized evaluation specific to each patient's eyes.
Patients should still expect their surgeon to confirm candidacy through a comprehensive exam rather than assuming SMILE is automatically appropriate simply because it's becoming more common.